Menu Innovator Blog

african influences

African Influences Gain Steam

By Dawn Ferchak / April 1, 2021

From soul food to fine dining, African influences and flavors are finding their way to American restaurants. Driven by both the trend for global flavors and a new appreciation for African American chefs and history, foods and ingredients from the massive continent are something to watch and something to try. History Brings Inspiration African people…

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invasive seafood

Invasive Seafood

By Susanne Bukey / March 30, 2021

A Wave of Opportunity Today’s seafood is bringing a new balance and opportunity to menus. Innovative combinations, global flavors, and extended species have positioned seafood in a new light. Adding to well-known varieties of this premium protein is invasive seafood. In particular, an invasive species of fish is one introduced into an environment and negatively…

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global cuisine

The New Fusion – Experimental Global Cuisine on the Rise

By Dawn Ferchak / March 25, 2021

Fusion 2021 There can be no doubt about it – global flavors are trending in 2021. Driven largely by Millennial and Gen Z’s interest in new flavors and global influences, chefs are creating a global cuisine that marries different cultural techniques and ingredients in dishes that burst with flavor. And it’s not just Asian fusion.…

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adaptogens

Adaptogens & Products with a Bang

By Dawn Ferchak / March 16, 2021

Better than “Better-For-You” For years, the “health and wellness” movement has been influencing restaurant menus and grocery aisles. Many more product lines are looking to join the ‘with added health benefits’ club, and by creating a nutritional product (or one with a health halo) with the addition of adaptogens, they can do just that. Especially…

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nootropics

The New “Noo” – Nootropics are a Trend to Watch

By Nadja Jauregui / March 11, 2021

Wellness in a Glass What if you could sip your way to better brain function and a sharper mind? That’s the claim of proponents of nootropics, a word that means “mind shapers.” Like the similarly trending adaptogens, nootropics have actually been around for centuries and you probably drink one of them every day—caffeine is a…

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vegeterian options

Plant-Based Movement

By Mary Kay LaBrie / March 9, 2021

Plant-Based Movement Expands Product Lines and Menus Only a short year or so ago, plant-based burgers became all the rage. You found the beef substitute popping up on restaurant and fast-food menus.  But according to cnet.com Health and Wellness, plant-based beef, pork (in the form of sausage), bacon, chicken, and fish products are now in…

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delivery

Pivoting From Dine-in to Take Out

By Mary Kay LaBrie / March 3, 2021

COVID and the Traditional Restaurant Business Model With the onset of COVID, restaurants are struggling to stay afloat. In a recent article in the New York Post, almost half of the restaurants in New York City may end up closing their doors for good.  With a meager 25 percent of indoor seating capacity allowed these…

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variety of chili peppers

Keep Things Hot – Chili Peppers

By Dawn Ferchak / March 2, 2021

Pep Up Your Dishes Sweet or spicy, roasted or pickled, there is no doubt that chili peppers are an ingredient trend that plans to stick around. Some are mild and some are scorching, but all of them are versatile additions to nearly any dish, at any time of day. Many have been around for ages,…

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cleanliness

Cleanliness Matters

By Dawn Ferchak / February 25, 2021

The restaurant industry took a huge hit in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused shutdowns, layoffs, and massive changes in the restaurant world. Making necessary changes to keep staff and customers safe is vital, while also making service and cleanliness changes to maintain business during these strange days. Safety is the Top Priority For staff…

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asian diversity cooking

Race and Diversity in the Restaurant Industry

By Dawn Ferchak / February 25, 2021

Diversity has been a hot topic in 2020. The Black Lives Matter movement is a large part of it, but new strides have also driven more diversity to defeat racism. Creating more opportunities for people of color (POC) affects all aspects of the restaurant world, from the bottom to the top. Minority Opportunities Minority workers…

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