The Land O’Lakes Foodservice Team recently hosted a brunch for nearly 400 of their customers at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Annual Customer Brunch Event in Chicago, Ill. The event was held on Saturday, May 21, at the Willis Tower Metropolitan Club (formerly Sears Tower) and was hosted by Land O’Lakes Foodservice’s sales, marketing and culinary teams.
“Our objectives for the event were to further build our brand and connect with our customers by showcasing our product and culinary capabilities,” said Jim Zell, Foodservice marketing manager. “We also focused on more practical yet innovative menu ideas in an effort to deepen and broaden our relationships with key strategic customers”. The event was a great success and we truly delivered against our objectives.”
The brunch was inspired by its theme, "A Taste of Wonderland,” which included whimsical displays to coincide with a wide array of exclusive product offerings. Major entrees were macaroni and cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich and short-rib beef and pork sliders. Other on-trend recipes were highlighted such as Duck Confit Sliders with Extra Melt Wild Mushroom Sauce and Teriyaki Chicken Skewers with Soy Sesame Butter Sauce. The culinary team used a sleepy hollow-like tree to showcase dessert offerings which included Figs in a Blanket, Almond Apricot Petit Fours, Creamsicle Shooters and many more.
“Our main goal was to inspire our guests and spark their imaginations with exciting new product and menu ideas that can be used to differentiate their menus,” said Mark Petchenik, Land O’Lakes corporate chef. “It was the perfect venue for introducing some of our health and wellness options, as well as our latest butter innovations.”
Both customers and brokers were in attendance, including representatives from Restaurant Depot, Don Pablos, U.S. Navy, Grand Casino, Boston’s Gourmet Pizza, Michigan State University and Sysco. Product booths portrayed fairytale themes from “Alice in Wonderland” to include several playfully titled stations such as Queen of Hearts Performance Cheese, Mad Hatter Healthier Menu Solutions, Humpty Dumpty Eggs to Order, Cheshire Cat Alfredo and Butter Sauce and the Tea Party Dessert station. Following the event, all customers received candied bacon caramels and caramels with coffee sugar. In addition, a CD with recipes from the brunch was sent to all attendees.
Land O’Lakes is the foodservice industry’s number-one butter supplier, and one of its top cheese suppliers. Land O’Lakes Foodservice division has grown dramatically in the last decade, gaining greater presence by expanding its lines of processed and specialty cheeses, spreads and table top offerings. Foodservice specializes in products that add value and help customers save prep time.
For more information on the Land O’Lakes Foodservice division, visit www.landolakesfoodservice.com.
Source: Land O'Lakes