NPD: Beverage-Only Restaurant Occasions Are Key To Expanding Foodservice Beverage Sales

September 18, 2012 The NPD Group, Inc.

As consumers manage restaurant checks by cutting back on beverages and ordering food-only at main meals, restaurant chains are driving incremental beverage-only occasions at other times during the day through the introduction of new beverages and beverage marketing efforts, according to The NPD Group, a leading market research company.  For the year ending June 2012 total restaurant visits were flat whereas visits that included both food and beverage declined by 2 percent, reports NPD’s CREST® foodservice market research.  

Premium Beef Drives Profit

Regardless of the customer, quality must remain consistent. In Sean Woods’ world, it simply must. Woods is the executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes (www.ritzcarlton.com/orlando), where he oversees the Florida hotel’s four restaurants, one of which is a steakhouse, and three bars. With 582 rooms and the potential for more than 1,500 guests at any time, Woods allows no room for mediocrity in dining, especially the meat on his menus.

Seafood Companies Combine Efforts For 'Fish To School' Program

Every day between 5:30 and 6:00 in the morning, Sandie Ponte can be found in the school's kitchen preparing enough sourdough bread for about 270 students. Yes, in Cordova, the bread is made from scratch for the school kids. For years students have enjoyed this wonderful life, eating fresh products cooked by Sandie Ponte, the schools' food service manager, and three part-time cooks working with her.

Whole Grains On Every Menu

Whole grains are popping up on menus everywhere. From the elegant country club to the neighborhood pub, there are more creative and flavorful whole grain dishes than ever before to delight my insatiable appetite. No matter where I go now, I find myself searching the menu to see what great things the chef might doing with whole grains.

Culinary Harvest Organic Fingerlimes Livening Up Bars, Restaurants & Bakeries

September 18, 2012 Culinary Harvest

Culinary Harvest Organic Fingerlimes are turning up in the best of places!  From relative obscurity only a few years ago, our “citrus caviar” is now livening up drinks, seafoodCulinary Harvest Organic Fingerlimes are turning up in the best of places!  From relative obscurity only a few years ago, our “citrus caviar” is now livening up drinks, seafood dishes, baked goods and much more.   dishes, baked goods and much more.