Provisions September October 2023 - NorthCenter

» front cover

Poblano Queso Chilean Sea Bass with Birria Corn Scan for details & full recipe by Chef Anthony!

» chef anthony

Quick Bites of the Month

A look ahead for September and October.

» business builder Pop of Color

Grab their attention, save on food costs, and elevate sales by using natural food colors to infuse that wow factor into your dishes.

» trend tracker Top Billing

The restaurant industry is experiencing a wave of new trends hitting menus this year. Dive into the latest to keep your offerings up to date and give revenue a jolt.

4 provisions September / October 2023

FLAVOR PROFILE

18

NATIONAL

A unique blend of mild chili peppers,

Breakfast Quesadilla

A little appreciation goes a long way! We know we don’t need to tell you all about the labor shortages this industry is currently experiencing - you already live it, day in and day out. So for the people who help make your business a success, your employeesit’s the little things that can add up to happy, healthy, and productive staff.

SEPT

» If you prefer going the old school route - something as simple as a coupon for a free meal at your establishment, to a more elaborate self-care offering, such as a gift certificate for a home cleaning (so that employees don’t have to carry that burden for a week) or for a spa treatment of their choice.

» An annual staff bash can offer your BOH and FOH a chance to connect on a more personal level. If that’s overwhelming, try a game night or karaoke contest!

SEPT Sourdough September National Chicken Month National Honey Month National Mushroom Month National Papaya Month National Potato Month National Rice Month OTHER THEMES TO CELEBRATE 5 provisions September / October 2023

10/27 National Potato Day

10/28 National Chocolate Day

10/29 National Oatmeal Day

10/30 National Candy Corn Day

10/31 National Caramel Apple Day

october

A QUICK BITE OF THE MONTH WITH

Pumpkin Spice

A type of clove also known as Jamaica Pepper, with an earthy, slightly sweet and warm flavor. PFS #74305 6/1 LB

Obtained from the inner bark of several species of trees, this spice is sweet, woody, with a hint of citrus

PFS #615767 6/16 OZ

A seed produced by a darkleaved evergreen tree with a warm, slightly sweet taste.

PFS #615792 6/16 OZ

The root of a flowering plant with a juicy, slightly sweet kick of peppery spice.

PFS #560238 6/12.5 OZ

Who knew October was so taco-centric? We typically associate them with the warmer months and closer to Cinco de Mayo, but we also know tacos are a seasonally sound menu offering. BUThave you considered it as a SEASONAL LTO by swapping out your typical protein for something more seasonal, like Sweet Potato or Squash, with beans as a protein?

TAQUERA-STYLE SALSAS PAGE 23

Like an annual holiday and with much excitement from consumers, Pumpkin Spice season has finally arrived - and it’s not just for your coffee offerings! Like any flavor combination, you can make Pumpkin Spice just about anything - sweet AND savory! Besides the usual Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Frosting fare, what about utilizing it as a savory squash ingredient? Incorporate it into a chili or a dip, or use the spice combination to add unique flavor to your toppers and garnishes. The world is truly your oyster when it comes to this popular gourd! Scan the code below to check out dozens of ideas on incorporating Pumpkin AND spice into dishes you may already have on your menu!

New Hampshire Coffee Roasting Co.

Our Company

It all began in 1989 with an old roaster, an unheated garage, and the desire for a great cup of co ee. Since then, many things have changed, but our mission remains consistent: craft roast only the best Arabica beans in small batches, to provide our customers with outstanding co ee. We are a local partner, with all the accompanying bene ts. Interested in a tour of our facility or want some samples? Give us a call or reach out through your PFG contact. We are happy to help. Our goal is to provide you with and help you serve the best-tasting co ee around!

Our Products

We have a full line of co ees from light to dark roasts, in both portion packs of ground co ee and bigger bags of whole beans. Our avored co ees are consistently delicious and we o er a range of seasonal avors your customers will love. We can also provide a variety of point of sale materials to make your co ee service look as good as it tastes.

Regular Co ee

Flavored Co ee

*Seasonally available

Decaf Co ee

» PFS #593685 Original GF UHT 6/52 oz

» PFS #593686 Extra Creamy GF UHT 6/52 oz

FROZEN CRANBERRIES

There is no other fruit in the world that has played such a key role in holiday culture. The cranberry’s unique health benefits and refreshing, tart taste put it in a league of its own. They add a sweet burst to quick breads like muffins, pancakes and waffles. Or, try stirring them into applesauce or tossing them into cobbler’s and crisps.

5-MINUTE CRANBERRYORANGE RELISH

Yield: 8 cups

• 2¼ quarts Wyman’s frozen cranberries, rinsed and drained

• 3 cups orange marmalade

• 1½ cups packed light brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons orange zest

• 1½ teaspoons ground allspice

In food processor, pulse all ingredients until cranberries are finely chopped. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours or up to 3 days.

CRANBERRY SALSA

• 4cup Wyman’s frozen cranberries (thawed)

• 1 red pepper (chopped)

• 1 white onion (chopped)

• 1 jalapeño pepper (chopped)

• 1 cup water

• 1/2c vegetable oil

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp pepper

Char cranberries in hot dry pan and place in food processor with all ingredients. Pulse until desired consistency is achieved.

CRANBERRY BBQ SAUCE

• 4cups KC Masterpiece Original BBQ sauce

• 2cups Wyman’s frozen cranberries (thawed)

Place items in blender and set to purée. Blend 1-2 minutes

Seltzer & Soda

Soda Cans

Seltzer Cans

Plastic Bottles

Assortment Kits

SPECIALLY CURATED COLLECTIONS OF OUR FINEST CHEESES

Perfect for entertaining, gifts and discovering new favorites

Magellan Wisconsin Cheese Box

an assortment of four award-winning cheeses from Wisconsin made from cow's milk

Includes: Copper Kettle Parmesan Cheese, Hand-Crafted Asiago Cheese, Tuscan Fontina and Monteau

Magellan Pub Cheese Box

an assortment of four Pub Style variety cheeses

Includes: 6 month aged lberico Cheese, Mayan Cocoa Coffee Rubbed Fontal, Brugge Comtesse Cheese and Red Wine Soaked Goat Cheese

IT’S SEASON soup

Apples

Store between 34-36° F and keep away from air flow Minimize handling to prevent bruising

fresh apples

FRESH VEGETABLES 16 provisions September / October 2023

Potatoes

» Ideally stored between 45-55° F dry with good air circulation.

» Should not be exposed to light or freezing temperatures.

chef PFS# BRAND DESCRIP TION PK SZ 277932 PEAK POTATO CHEF RND WHI BAG 1 50 LB 860873 LOCGROWR POTATO CHEF PREM 1 50 LB 232156 PACKER POTATO CHEF #2 1 50 LB 858730 PACKER POTATO YUKON GOLD CHEF 1 50 LB

Onions

Store between 45-55° F with good circulation. May be stored as low as 34° F Under ideal conditions, onions can withstand long-term storage

yellow red other

POP OF color

Consumers eat with their eyes. And the more visual appeal a dish has, the more guests are likely to try it. Grab their attention, save on food costs, and elevate sales by using natural food colors to infuse that wow factor into your dishes.

GO GREEN

Spring’s fresh bounty of herbs is the easiest and most-effective place to start here. Puree raw mint, parsley, or use spring onion in a carrier oil and serve as a creamy base for your main proteins or finishing drizzle on dishes.

Electric-green matcha powder is great for desserts, teas, and coffees, while the forest green of spirulina powder is starring in everything from smoothies to ice cream, pasta, and more. Both are not only visually appealing but boast several health benefits.

And sometimes just a colorful garnish can be all the visual appeal you need. Delicate microgreens atop seared scallops, or a heap of crisp arugula to finish off a pizza, are simple, yet effective eye-catching ingredients to entice your guests.

SEEING RED

Not only will naturally red ingredients make for a pretty plate, but many also serve as healthy antioxidants. Think beets, pomegranates, and berry juice. Dried hibiscus flowers are a fun option that can be used across the menu. Serve inside tacos, puree with cranberries for a

PRETTY PLATES: It doesn’t have to be complicated! Instead of garnishing with just greens, try adding a slice of beet, carrot, or citrus fruit

delicious topper for fish, or steep petals in hot water and add sugar for a tart syrup for cocktails and save a few for garnish. Or reduce the liquid for a glaze to drizzle over desserts like cheesecake or frosting for donuts.

For a labor and time saver, consider plating fresh ruby red grapefruit slices, pickled beets, watermelon, and cherry tomatoes sprinkled with feta for a summer citrus salad that appeases palates and peepers.

NOT SO MELLOW YELLOW

Yellow pigments can really play up the appeal of a dish. Try a Curry Poached Cod recipe, using curry powder to create an eye-catching bright yellow broth to serve as the base. Turmeric powder can also work wonders to brighten soups, lattes, rice, and eggs. Wow guests with dessert offerings by whipping up yuzu or lemon curd, or step outside the ordinary with a honey-saffron panna cotta no diner could resist.

BRILLIANT BLUE

With its deep hues and so many varieties, you can really let your culinary creativity shine with blue. Blend blueberries with your house BBQ sauce to add to burgers, sandwiches, or a dip for fries. Or puree with juice or milk and veggies for an eye-catching superfoods smoothie bowl that will play very well on your social channels.

The most spectacular blue though can be

achieved from butterfly pea flower. Use it as a powder to add color to gin cocktails, create an alluring grab-and-go breakfast item by adding it to chia pudding, or brighten any dessert for a unique look.

PURPLE POWER

Ube, the vivid purple yam from the Philippines, has been taking social media by storm –popping up in everything from ice cream to dinner rolls to purees, and more. If you want to go with a hue that’s a little more subtle, opt for lavender or violet to make syrups for cocktails, coffees, and scones, or combine with balsamic vinegar to use as a glaze for fish. Purple carrots are another easy, yet impactful ingredient to up your plate presentation game. Puree it to go under crispy pork belly or lamp chops, or to create a beautiful hummus to serve with crudité.

THINK PINK

While it may not seem like it occurs naturally in many foods, pink can be used across the menu, and it will always grab attention on social media. Slice up watermelon radishes to add a little pop of color to salads. Or consider dragon fruit’s natural beauty to create special cocktails, refreshing summer spritzers, and colorful sorbets.

Briana Rupel - A proud service industry lifer, Briana writes about food, beverages, and foodservice creativity.

Simply Delicous!Processed Eggs

We proudly present a complete line of Nature’s Best Dairy® frozen and refrigerated processed egg products — a staple for any and all dining establishments or hotels serving breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Appeal to Everyone

*Refreshing your menu to capitalize on current trends is easy when you have eggs in the kitchen. For each daypart, every culture & cuisine, and virtually all dietary lifestyle choices, eggs are the answer.

*https://foodservice.eggs.ca/versatility/

Nature’s Best Dairy® Extended Shelf-life Refrigerated Liquid Egg Products are ideal for all foodservice applications. Items with citric acid are ideal for buffets and steam tables where the cooked product can last without losing its golden color.

Nature’s Best Dairy® Frozen Pre-Cooked Egg Products have a homestyle appearance and are great for sandwiches and burritos. Just thaw, heat and serve, these are space-saving and extremely convenient.

Nature’s Best Dairy® Hard Cooked Egg Products are ready to serve at a moment’s notice. These are great for operators using large volumes of hard cooked eggs for items such as salads, potato salad, egg salad sandwiches, deviled eggs or served as is.

Nature’s Best Dairy® Frozen Egg Products have all of the benefits of refrigerated liquid eggs, but with a 1-year shelf life from processing date. Thaw and use, these eggs come in cartons and are easy to store.

FEATURES/BENEFITS

Food Safety:

Nature’s Best Dairy® processed eggs are free from pathogens, eliminating salmonella, listeria, and e. coli dangers.

Cost, Labor,and Time Savings:

Cost effective, economical alternative; Always ready and on hand with no prep time; Less spoilage and waste.

Quality and Consistency:

High quality product from package to package. Refrigerated and frozen products are packaged in cartons or bags for easy pouring or microwaving. In addition, they occupy 1/3 less space than shell eggs.

Portioning: Hard cooked products are pre-portioned and precooked

SALAD DRESSINGS

Feel the spirit of Tuscany, Rome, and the warm Mediterranean shores with Piancone salad dressings, available from Performance Foodservice. Our Piancone salad dressings contain a premium selection of authentic Italian tastes. Creamy Gorgonzola and rich Feta cheeses, classic Parmesan and Romano cheeses, roasted garlic bulbs and smooth Chianti wine just to name a few of our select ingredients, all blended in unique combinations offering rich and satisfying flavor.

In today’s world, salad dressings are not just for salads any more. These versatile flavors add a rich depth of taste to sandwiches, wraps, and main dishes. Enjoy experimenting in your kitchen with our unique line of Southern Mediterranean salad dressings.

BLENDED OILS

Performance Foodservice is pleased to offer a selection of blended oils under its Roma and Luigi brands. Premium olive, canola, and soy oils are blended together for maximum flavor and value. In addition, all Roma and Luigi blended oils are zero grams of trans fat to satisfy the needs of your health conscious customers.

Roma and Luigi blended oil products are perfect for stir frying, sautéing, and pan frying meats and vegetables. Use Roma and Assoluti oils in baking applications or salad dressings, as well.

SALSAS TAQUERAS

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Contigo® Salsas Taqueras are a curated blends of tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, garlic and chiles that are grown in Mexico, cooked and blended until they are smoother than traditional salsas. Contigo® Salsas Taqueras are mouth watering, tangy and delicious salsas that complement rich taco meats and add a brightness to street tacos.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Contigo® Salsas Taqueras are ideal for Latin/Mexican restaurants, or ANY foodservice establishment looking for authentic and unique condiments to spice up popular dishes.

• Contigo® Salsa Roja - delicious blend or tomatillos, onions, roasted red peppers, garlic, and Indu and Chipotlé peppers – a deep red hue with visible pepper seeds.

• Contigo® Salsa Verde - traditional, green salsa with tomatillos and roasted jalapeño and serrano peppers, onion and garlic.

• Contigo® Chile de Arbol Salsa - tomatoes, Indu Chiles, fire roasted onion and garlic are blended to create a bright orange salsa with a deceiving amount of spice.

PRODUCTS

Product produced by Durvill, LLC, a MWBE owned business

From Southern-style breakfast to Thanksgiving dinner, gravy is the comfort food classic that can make a meal memorable. Custom Culinary® Gravy Mixes are made with premium ingredients that provide the roasted flavor and consistency of real pan drippings, for authentic gravies with exceptional taste and texture. Simply add water, boil and serve or use your favorite prep method. Visit CUSTOMCULINARY.COM for even more comfort food menu inspiration.

Orchard Gravy

Brandied Pear Gravy 36297217761GPAN

oz case pack | 144 oz yield/bag

Fire-Roasted Corn Elotes Gravy

COOLER PROGRAM!

2 SLIM UPRIGHT

Unit Specifications:

Volume Requirements: 6 units daily *all 3 units

1. Counter Top Dimensions

18 7/8” (l) x 20 1/8” (d) x 31 7/8” (h)

Number of shelves: 2 (holds 48 units/4 cases)

2. Slim Upright Cooler: 16” (w) x 16.3” (d) x 74” (h)

Number of shelves: 4 (holds 96 units/8 cases)

3.Counter Top Stand: 20.75” (w) x 21” (d) x 34.5 (h)

• MUST BE USED EXCLUIVELY FOR SABRA

• SABRA GRAPHICS + DESIGNATED COOLER SPACE INCREASES PRODUCT SALES

• FREES UP SPACE IN YOUR OTHER COOLERS FOR ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS

Contact your NorthCenter representative

or Marty Kelley from PepsiCo.

(603) 320-2304 marty.kelley@pepsico.com

3 COUNTERTOP STAND

1 COUNTERTOP COOLER

#883506 Sabra Hummus Classic w/ Pretzels Snackers

#883568 Sabra Hummus Roasted Red Pepper w/ Pretzels

#883507 Snackers Sabra Hummus Roasted Garlic w/ Pretzels Snackers

#529743 Sabra Guacamole w/ Tostitos Rolls

Innovat Ion Del I c I ous

Inspire culinary creations and increase sales with our innovative, tasty and unique veggie offerings.

V’DGZ™ Corn R’bz

Pack/Size: 4x4 lb.

McCain Code: 1000010809

PFS Code: 174698

RFS Code: VG734

V’DGZ™ Bruss’lz Pack/Size: 4x3 lb. McCain Code: 1000010831

PFS Code: 174707

RFS Code: VG738

cont act your Performance Foodservice sales rep for more information.

V’DGZ™ Cauli W’ngz

Pack/Size: 4x3 lb. McCain Code: 1000010795

PFS Code: 174706

RFS Code: VG736

Fall i n t o Autumn with S i m p l o t

Consistent high quality labor saving products, delivered year around.

Cauliflower Rice, Rst. Corn&Sweet Pepper, Harvest Fresh Avo Halves, Baby Bakers

Produced exclusively from our high care facilities to deliver consistent quality

Cauli Rice#368709; Rst. Corn&Swt.Pepp#79056; Avo Halves#441867; Baby Bake#946969

WESTeCREEK.

Mike Woods

American Patriot Sales

mwoods@americanpatriotsales.com

(207) 776-5157

TO

• Authentic flavor using only the freshest ingredients and raw materials

• Bowl chopped for traditional course texture

• Free of offal, organ meat, and soy/ vegetable fillers

• T he coarse texture and high quality pork, provides superior a mouthfeel and flavor to competing products

• Spice profile lends itself to multiple applications including tacos, nachos, breakfast scrambles, and pizza toppings

• T hese items have a far better yield per case than the majority of competing products

Get 100% yield of oven-seared top-tier Sous Vide.

Oven seared for natural browning, all Bonewerks’ Sous Vide Entrées begin with consistently portioned and trimmed USDA graded meats. This allows us to render down fat and active moisture for authentic braising with an in-house prepared sauce.

When you choose Bonewerks’ Sous Vide Entrées, you get more value out of your 100% usable portions every time without paying for the purge from a raw or partial cooking technique. All together, this means the most flavor and highest yield entrées for your kitchen.

PFGN#: 198458

Casinos

Our artisan selection provides delicious options for anytime of the day.

Indoor Entertainment

Whether it’s a snack break, or dine & play, our bread offers the versatility.

Stadium Events & Theme Parks

Elevated artisan quality as handhelds for your guests on-the-go.

Eatertainment appears positioned for robust growth and those that innovate and differentiate with food will be positioned more favorably.

Casual Dining, NRN, 2023

Our artisan breads can help elevate menus increasing repeat customers and revenue potential

Spankopita Melt on ACE® Mini Herb Schiacciata (#573481)

Jambon Beurre Deli Sandwich to-go on ACE® Baguette Roll (#347431)

Jalapeno Popper Cheeseburger on ACE® Classic Burger Bun (#449707)

take a brekki

ready-to-eat overnight oats with ancient grains

what

’s in this stuff?

brekki is made with nothing but the best ingredients, including ancient grains, almonds, oats, almond milk and organic coconut nectar. To sweeten the deal, five of our flavors feature real fruit down under.

superfood ancient grain blend gluten free dairy free non gmo vegan plant based soy free

PFS#633918

PFS#633919

PFS#633288

PFS#633279

P #788289

#788285

PFS#633281

PFS#633287

DESSERTS

PUMPKIN

IMAGINE the most amazing New York Cheesecake mixed with third generaiton pumpkin pie filling. This classic autumn cheesecake is sure to be a winner.

Instead of using coffee ice cream, we use our own cappuccino mousse. It tastes better and doesn’t melt! Poured into our signature chocolate cookie crust and topped with HERSHEY’S® Dark Fudge Topping makes this pie a powerful dessert selection for BBQ and Country Style. For Italian Restaurants, instead of calling it Mississippi Mud it will be a knockout as“Cappuccino Mousse Pie”.

CHEESECAKE 10”, 12 SLICES #474693 2/64 OZ

CAPPUCCINO MOUSSE PIE 10”, 12 SLICES #471819 2/52 OZ

PFS North Center

Mike’s Pies

Fall Items

Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake

ITEM# 466960 CLM2736 2 Pack 10” 10 Cut 64 oz

We start with our New York Cheesecake and swirl in thick, rich Dulce De Leche. As if that wasn’t enough, we top it with a thin layer of HERSHEY’S® Caramel Topping. Where is the Sea Salt? We sprinkle the top of the cheesecake with a light dusting of Sea Salt before pouring on the Caramel topping. Put it all together and you have a dessert that will “blow your mind”!

Blueberry Cheesecake

Item# 302778 CLM2993 2 Pack 10” 12 Cut 64 oz

This is a blend of two classic desserts. We start with our New York style cheesecake and blend in our third generation Blueberry pie filling. This wondrous delight is poured into our made from scratch graham cracker crust! After it has cooked we top it off with a layer of Blueberry pie filling. It truly is the best of both worlds!

Handling Instructions

Our products are flash frozen and should be stored in the freezer. Whole pies thaw within 60 minutes and slices slack out in about 10. Because there are no fillers, gelatins, or stabilizers added to Mike’s Pies, they have the unique ability to go in and out of the freezer without compromising the taste. If you don’t believe us, try it! So, at the end of the day if you have any pies or slices left over, don’t leave them in the refrigerator, put them back into the freezer. This will help keep them at their highest quality possible until you are ready to serve them again. The pies, cakes and pipes will stay 6 months in the freezer and not lose their high quality.

What Makes Us So Special

We do not make a pie or cake until it is ordered

We do not add fillers, gelatins, or stabilizers

The ability to go in and out of the freezer is unmatched

Homemade Taste

Our pies and cakes are available in 9”, 11” pie pans and 10” deep dish cake pans, pre-slicedor uncut. Many flavors also available in half sheet trays. Do we have more flavors? Of course we do! Contact us for a complete product list.

Mikes_pies

@mikespiesinc

Mike’s Pies, Inc

Celebrate the seasons with

PFS# 627006

10" Pre-Baked Pumpkin Pie 6ct/43oz

A classic Fall favorite that starts with a tender golden flaky crust, filled with a lightly spiced pumpkin filling that’s full of flavor. Pre-baked and ready to serve!

PFS# 627007

Pie 10" Pre-Baked Pecan 6ct/36oz

A tender golden flaky crust is filled with naturally sweet filling, topped wall-to-wall with delicious pecan halves.

Featured

Culinary ConcepTs

PFS# 627009

10" Unbaked Premium Fruit Pie Apple 6ct/54oz

Filled with over 1 pound of orchardfresh apples and a hint of cinnamon and sugar between 2 tender golden flaky pie crust layers.

Creamy vanilla ice cream blended with a slice of pumpkin pie and milk. Topped off with whipped cream, pumpkin spice sauce and pie crust crumbles.

Pecan Turtle Pie with cinnamon sugar caramelized apples. Topped with caramel and chocolate drizzle and garnish with caramelized apple.

Premium Apple Hi-Pie® tossed with cream cheese and cinnamon sugar, baked to golden brown and finished with scratch-made cream cheese frosting.

MILKSHAKE

PUMPKIN PIE

ROLL PIE APPLE CINNAMON CARAMELIZED APPLES

PECAN TURTLE PIE with

AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME

Pumpkin Molten Lava Cake

Sweet and spicy pumpkin cake with a cream cheese Þlling.

Add fresh Fall flavors to your dessert menu.

Pumpkin, Apples, and Cinnamon Flavors give sweets a seasonal spin this time of year.

Flair

to your menu!

Seasonal Desserts

more than half (53%) of consumers say they’re interested in seasonally inßuenced desserts.¹

Pumpkin Favorites

New! Pumpkin Gourmet Muffin Batter

Fill the room with seasonal aromas as you freshly bake a delicious treat full of pumpkin flavor and warm spices. 2/8 lb.

PERFORMANCE# 960667

Decadent Pumpkin

White Chocolate Pecan

Cookie Dough

Warm up to our deliciously decadent pumpkin white chocolate cookie. Cinnamon, nutmeg and roasted pecans make this cookie a musthave for Fall. 80/4.5 lb.

PERFORMANCE# 395113

Other Fall Favorites

Apple Caramel Crumb Cake-Pre-cut

A moist & tender cake with a layer of brown sugared sweetened apples, topped with an the cinnamon streusel topping and finished with rich caramel drizzle. 2/9 lb.

PERFORMANCE# 393426

Pumpkin Cheese T&S Muffin

For a taste of Fall year round! Our flavorful pumpkin muffin is spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon and filled with a sweet cream cheese blend. 2/8 lb.

PERFORMANCE# 589987

I.W. Pecan T&S Brownie

High quality pecans top our chewy and delicious chocolate brownie. Simply thaw and sell! 48/4 oz.

PERFORMANCE# 690661

TOP billing

ALL IN ON COMFORT: Top baked mac ‘n’ cheese with smoky brisket, spicy Buffalo sauce, and blue cheese, or top with fried chicken or even lobster for a comfort dish no guest can resist. »

The restaurant industry is experiencing a wave of new trends hitting menus this year. Dive into the latest to keep your offerings up to date and give revenue a jolt.

While sustainability, technology, immersive experiences, and plantbased options are all trending this year, consumers are interested in much more than eco-friendly packaging, mobile app ordering, and a pop-up here and there. Let’s take a deeper dive into the latest trends shaping menus.

POPULAR POURS

Classics like Negroni sbagliatos, whiskey sours, apple martinis, and Cosmopolitans have returned to the spotlight this year. However, new trends have emerged that can revamp your beverage program. This year’s surprising favorite is a zesty mix of briny cocktails, made with pickle juice or clam juice; decked out with extravagant garnishes such as shrimp, crab legs, or oysters. Consider riding the wave of this trend by serving up a spicy Bloody Mary with Bay Winds® Lobster Claws and Old Bay® Seasoning.

And it’s not just booze that’s booming. Non-alcoholic drinks continue to boost profits in 2023. Mocktail sales are rising and include popular flavors such as cucumber, mango, flavored syrups, and green tea. New twists on tea and coffee are seeping into the scene, with yaupon tea and mushroom-infused coffee blends leading the charge.

COMFORT CRAVINGS

While plant-based foods and healthier alternatives are blossoming on menus, comfort food is a perennial favorite, and became a go-to staple for consumers during the pandemic. And the trend has only grown. New takes on classic comfort food dishes, such as mac ‘n’ cheese with unique toppings, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, or breakfast cereal milkshakes are popping up on menus, and diners can’t get enough.

In a recent industry survey, more than 50% of consumers said they would like to see more comfort food options on menus. Top baked mac ‘n’ cheese with smoky brisket, spicy Buffalo sauce, and blue cheese, or top with fried chicken for a comfort dish no guest can resist.

NEW FUSION FLAVORS

While international flavors have been trending on menus for the last few years, consumers’ palates are changing fast, and they’re demanding even more unique flavors. This year, Ethiopian and Filipino foods are having their time in the spotlight. Filipino dishes like banana cue, (deep-fried, caramelized bananas served on skewers), and chicken adobo, often called the national dish of the Philippines, both make for delicious and cost-effective appetizers or snacks. Or consider offering Chicken Inasal, a classic sweet and spicy Filipino street food, featuring West Creek® Chicken Legs. Ethiopian cuisine is known for its spicy and flavorful dishes, regularly served on a communal platter called injera,

a sourdough flatbread made from teff flour. One of the most popular Ethiopian dishes, Doro Wat, is a stew made with a blend of spices, including berbere (a spice made with chili peppers, ginger, and other ingredients). Create your own take on the dish or consider making it authentic with West Creek Chicken Thighs, Peak® Ginger, and West Creek Chicken Stock.

With 56% of consumers wanting more international flavors on menus, adding options such as these can be a ticket to boosted sales.1

RETRO DESSERTS

Old trends always come back again in one form or another. And this year, retro desserts are sweetening up menus all over. According to the National Restaurant Association’s What’s Hot Culinary Report, revamped classics like moon pies, housemade oatmeal cream pies, and Baked Alaska (the hottest dessert of the year)2 are having a resurgence.

You can pull in a wide demographic by serving up nostalgic desserts, either made traditionally or by putting your own modern spin on them. Consider using Nature’s Best® Ice Cream Mix for a decadent s’mores shake that can attract both the young and young at heart.

1. Nat Rest Association, Hot Culinary Trends Report, 2023

2. 2023 Trends Report – af&co and Carbonate Angel Evitts - Angel is the owner of The Bonus Writer, a service that helps businesses elevate their online presence. She loves live music, reading, and Jeep rides.

The line consists of high quality, durable food service products. All items are made of bagasse, a sugarcane by-product, and are free of plastic, chlorine and coatings. Given the right environment, products are biodegradable, compostable and recyclable. is also microwaveable and grease and moisture resistant, which make it the perfect option for any occasion.

#243685

Co ee Pot Cleaner 4 / 36 ct

Non-chlorinated destainer for co ee pots, tea urns, co ee cups, glasses and other ware that is prone to stains from food and drink. Convenient single use packets dissolve instantly in water and zzing action actively scrubs away stains.