The COVID-19 pandemic forced many restaurants and foodservice operators to innovate new service offerings, such as online ordering, take away, and delivery, while paring down menus and focusing on core recipes. How will strategies shift in the post-pandemic world?
We talked with Cecile Gauriau, Southern Europe Sales Manager for Chaucer Foods, about what’s ahead for foodservice menu innovation.
1. What types of menu items are trending in the current environment?
We all have been obliged to cook more at home during the pandemic, and many consumers have become more conscious of the importance of eating healthy and eating local. Consumers will be looking for menu items that feature authentic and nutritious ingredients as they continue to focus more on their health and wellness.
We all have been obliged to cook more at home during the pandemic, and many consumers have become more conscious of the importance of eating healthy and eating local. Consumers will be looking for menu items that feature authentic and nutritious ingredients as they continue to focus more on their health and wellness.
2. What will foodservice operators be focusing on this summer, as many countries around the world start to lift restrictions and reopen?
Even if some habits have changed, we can expect that most of the population will be excited to return to dining out, and may even be willing to pay more for a premium dining experience. We can imagine that many restaurants will be focused on preparing novel menu items to surprise and delight their customers.
Even if some habits have changed, we can expect that most of the population will be excited to return to dining out, and may even be willing to pay more for a premium dining experience. We can imagine that many restaurants will be focused on preparing novel menu items to surprise and delight their customers.
3. Do you expect to see established trends (such as the focus on health and nutrition) continue post-pandemic? Are there any new trends that have emerged as a result of the pandemic?
Established trends will certainly continue to play a central role in menu innovation, particularly the focus on natural, good-for-you ingredients. Due to pent-up demand, consumers will likely have higher expectations for a dining out experience, so restaurants will also need to look for ways to elevate their core offerings, such as by incorporating quality ingredients.
Established trends will certainly continue to play a central role in menu innovation, particularly the focus on natural, good-for-you ingredients. Due to pent-up demand, consumers will likely have higher expectations for a dining out experience, so restaurants will also need to look for ways to elevate their core offerings, such as by incorporating quality ingredients.
4. How is Chaucer helping foodservice operators innovate in the current environment?
Foodservice professionals need convenient and quality ingredient solutions to help them get ahead of these new market demands. Our freeze-dried ingredients are an easy way to add new flavors, textures and color to existing menu items, or to innovate new options that align with the current demand for healthy, natural ingredients. Our freeze-dried products are ready to use and come in a conveniently resealable sachet, so they can be easily added to any recipe for an instant value-add.
Foodservice professionals need convenient and quality ingredient solutions to help them get ahead of these new market demands. Our freeze-dried ingredients are an easy way to add new flavors, textures and color to existing menu items, or to innovate new options that align with the current demand for healthy, natural ingredients. Our freeze-dried products are ready to use and come in a conveniently resealable sachet, so they can be easily added to any recipe for an instant value-add.
We also offer several sweet and savory baked ingredients for foodservice applications, including croutons for soups and salads, as well as sweet toppings and inclusions for ice cream, desserts, baked goods and beverages.
Learn more about how you can use freeze-dried and baked ingredients in your foodservice applications, or contact us at customer.services@chaucerfoods.com to request a sample or more information.