Trends

Keeping the foodservice equipment marketplace up to date with the latest menu and concept trends.

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It used to be that menu trends started at expensive, high-end restaurants and trickled their way down. Case in point: global flavors, plant-forward dishes and sustainable practices. Even the tradition of listing vendors’ names, once the domain of independent restaurants, can now be found at restaurants of all price points.

Today’s seafood segment is focusing on sustainability, seasonality and customer education.

The nonprofit food4VOLS at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, benefits from a refresh of its main prep room, truck and more as the winner of the FE&S Kitchen Storage Makeover contest. 

This music-themed concept is succeeding by making sushi, which is often considered niche, accessible to everyone.

Before it was a Mediterranean concept, Mezze Table at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, Ga., served Mexican fare using a different name. Yet, despite having vastly different menu items, there was no reason to change the equipment.

Successful servery designs rely on layouts that enhance flexibility, handle high volume, provide accessibility and highlight aesthetics.

Central to the kitchen, grill stations should be easily accessible, thoughtfully organized, and designed for efficiency and speed.

This segment adapts as consumer habits change.

What’s hot and what’s not when it comes to technology and equipment innovations for both the front and back of the house.

When it comes to keeping kitchen equipment running well, rules like keeping units clean and having them serviced regularly apply across all types of operators. Other advice, though, is especially important for specific operator segments to hear.

With labor challenges continuing to plague the foodservice industry, operators are turning to various technologies to reduce staff, improve speed of service, cut down on food waste and otherwise streamline operations to save on costs.

With the conversations around kitchen electrification continuing to gain traction — and debate — there’s one piece of equipment that’s proving to be an important player in this movement: induction ranges. At least, that’s the viewpoint of Richard Young, director of outreach at the Frontier Energy Food Service Technology Center (FSTC) in Northern California.

Whether you’re talking about the expected (resorts, private clubs, hotels) or unexpected (eatertainment, anyone?), the term “high-end” becomes a common way to describe a variety of properties these days. But just because a place calls itself “high-end,” doesn’t make it so.

Remember the explosion of food and gaming venues pre-pandemic where you could have dinner and throw darts or axes or play a little ping-pong? Well, after a little COVID-induced hiatus, “eatertainment” spots are back, baby!

More options and mini variations are of greater interest when it comes to desserts today.

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