FIFE HAS been given a much-welcomed jobs boost with news that 25 vacancies are to be created at a new food company.

An innovative product called Pancake Pods, created by St Andrews Cake Company, was launched by Chancellor Gordon Brown yesterday.

Thanks to a £1 million investment by Kingdom Bakers Group—which are partners of St Andrews Cake Company—the firm was able to purchase specialist machinery to create unique pancakes, made with fresh fillings of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry.

The hot-plate machinery, which cost £750,000, is capable of producing a staggering 12,000 “pods” per hour.

At the launch, Gordon Brown said, “Fife has a proud tradition of innovation and I am delighted to see a company like Kingdom Bakers continuing to expand through new and exciting products like Pancake Pods.

“The investment in the machine was a big step for the team behind the business.

“However, it is through such bold measures that companies find success and that success, in turn, will be felt by the local community which will enjoy an increase in employment opportunities.”

First year turnover for St Andrews Cake Company is forecast to be over £2 million, with Pankcake Pods being just the first in a number of highly innovative products being planned by the company.

Managing director of Kingdom Bakers, Harry Guyan, said the idea for the machine came from Japan where a delicacy called doryaki made of bean paste fillings is created by way of 1400 hotplate machines which run each day.

He added, “During a trip to Japan, we came across doryaki and straight away we saw the potential for adapting it for the UK.

“Pancakes are popular across all demographics but there has been no innovation for years and years.

“They were crying out to be transformed and when you see how muffin sales soared when outlets started adding the likes of blueberries you start to get a sense of what we can accomplish.

“Initially, we will be targeting the lunchbox market as we think kids will like the zaniness of pods, while mums will like the fact there are no artificial colours or additives and that they contain 80% fruit,” continued Mr Guyan.

“We will also be looking for local produce wherever possible in the creation of the pancakes.”

Joe Noble, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise Fife, said, “St Andrews Cake Company has given Kingdom Bakers an opportunity to express some highly progressive ideas, and I am particularly encouraged that they have looked overseas to learn from best practice elsewhere.

“They are an excellent example of what traditional Fife companies can achieve on a national level through innovation and investment.

After the launch at Frances Industrial Estate, Gordon Brown then travelled the short distance to the Dysart Youth Cafe to perform the official opening of the YM venture.