COVID and New Technology As mentioned in a previous blog post, with the onset of COVID, restaurants are struggling to stay afloat. During the pandemic, technological advancements have helped many restaurants stay above water, while others were less willing to adapt or unable to for uncontrolled circumstances are sinking. Technology has allowed many restaurants not…
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Complicated Convenience As the restaurant industry is rapidly evolving with the new use of third-party delivery services, there are still some hiccups. Lack of communication, process, and transparency lead to such issues, such as inaccurate orders, misunderstood/misinterpreted dishes, and late delivery times. Another large issue caused directly by third-party services is absorbent rates, sometimes taking…
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From local breweries to national chains, craft beers have been a popular menu item for several years. But craftsmanship in beverages is more than beer. From Mocktails to coffee and tea, craft beverages are trending. Consumers want more choices, with quality ingredients and delicious flavors. A Growing Trend Craft spirits have come to be synonymous…
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Consumers can’t seem to get enough heat. Spicy flavors continue to show up in cuisines worldwide, and more restaurants are incorporating international spicy flavors in their food. A Little Heat Goes a Long Way Move over, jalapeno—habanero is undergoing a resurgence in popularity. With a Scoville scale ranging from 350,000 units to 750,00 units, this…
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Top Soups Chicken soup, the all-American comfort food, doesn’t mean only chicken noodle. With ethnic cuisine being a huge influence in our society, this includes soups such as chicken tortilla (Latin) and Asian chicken noodle soups as top sellers. For example, Booyah, popular in the Midwest, is a thick chicken and vegetable soup made in…
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While familiar favorites like salmon and tuna will never be off menus, consumers are consistently looking for more options. Fish like branzino, red-fish, Arctic Char, and barramundi appear on more menus, and octopus is now the fastest-growing shellfish mentioned. Clearly, US seafood palates are expanding, and restaurants should keep a close eye on the trends. …
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Setting the Stage Private-dining and catering is a growth sector in the food-service industry, with the promise of more progress in 2020. Restaurants are already testing different structuring/designing buildings, allowing space for events and private parties while also maintaining a comfortable dining room. Dallas and Tampa’s Ocean Prime kitchens are already equipped with new, interactive…
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Chef Eric Lees just took over the helm of the Spiaggia kitchen as its new Executive Chef from the former longtime Chef, Joe Flamm. Chef Lees grew up in Minnesota and has been no stranger to the fine dining culinary scene. Upon moving to Chicago, Lees worked at the famed Quince restaurant, which has contributed…
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Who is not familiar with famed celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck who has risen to the United States, amassing over 20 top fine dining restaurants, over 80 Wolfgang Express locations, catering businesses, numerous cookbooks, and television appearances? Born and raised in Austria, Puck’s love of the culinary world began at a very early age when he…
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As the child of Korean immigrants in Virginia, Chef David Chang did not always dream of a career in the culinary arts. Deciding between professional golfing, religious studies, finance and culinary, Chang did not begin his culinary training until 2000 at the French Culinary Institute. Chang moved to Japan after his training and worked in…
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