The continuing proliferation of ethnic fare on today’s menus translates to many iterations combining foods from different parts of the globe.
40%
The percentage of consumers who agree that they are more likely to visit a restaurant with new and/or innovative flavors, according to Technomic data.
Mash-Up: Tried, Liked and Loved
American/Chinese ranks as the most tried and liked global cuisine mashup, according to Datassential.
Concept Close-Up
Richmond, Va.
The intention behind Global Fusion was to create a diverse eatery that would bring people together, says co-founder and chef Scott Traber. He was one of four partners/co-founders on the project, which also included Chef Mike Reusswig, Mike Traber and Robert Martin Jr.
“We first put the menu together in 2018 with standard fare from all over the world, such as South Africa, Greece, Vietnam and America, and put twists on it,” says Scott Traber. After opening what turned out to be a too-small brick-and-mortar location in 2023, the team closed its doors and operated as a pop-up provider for businesses during the lunch hour before switching solely to catering.
Among the offerings: the best-selling Southern Reuben with smokey beef brisket, apricot barbecue sauce, caramelized onions and cabbage slaw in dark beer reduction, Thousand Island dressing, Fontina, Gruyere and Gouda with parsley on grilled naan; and the Havana sandwich with mojo smoked pulled pork, ham, Fontina, Gruyere and Gouda with mango chutney, Roma tomatoes, onions and garlic on a toasted roll; and
“We smoke all our meats — including brisket, lamb, pork and chicken,” Scott Traber says. “Everything we do is from a different country.”
The team turned its brick-and-mortar site into a commissary kitchen with an equipment package that includes a large-scale smoker, flattop, double-stack convection ovens, charbroiler, fryer, four-burner stove, multiple reach-in refrigerators and freezers and portable flattops to cook on-site at events. “We try to stay unique and found it’s not difficult to fuse foods,” Scott Traber explains. “You must know what goes together. We recently created an El Salvadorian-style roasted turkey with salsa.”
Global Fusion RVA is now in the process of purchasing a food truck, and plans to open a larger brick-and-mortar location in the future.
