Food For Thought
December 2008
In This Issue
Ted Hughes Keeps it Simple in the Kitchen
Appetizers Aren't Just for Starters Anymore
Children's Menus - Upgrade Yours to Keep Kids and Parents Happy
Odds and Ends

Don't forget about our Great Holiday Items! 
Don't forget to check out our great Holiday items on our website.  We've got everything you need from breakfast to dessert, including our new Chicken Marsala Pot PIe!
 
Greetings!
Welcome to the final issue of Food for Thought for 2008.  Next month we'll be debuting our new look, our new name, "The PG Distributor," and some great new features that we hope you'll enjoy.
 
In this issue, we'll be closing out the year by looking at the latest trends in appetizer menus.  We'll also talk about children's menus and how the standard hamburger and chicken finger options just aren't enough for today's flavor-savvy junior diners.  Finally, we'll talk with Ted Hughes, executive chef of the Washington Golf Club, about keeping things simple in the kitchen.
Appetizers Aren't Just for Starters Anymore
With diners becoming increasingly cost conscious, many are stretching their dining dollars as far as they can.  To do this, they're turning appetizers into entrees by combining a few with sides or sharing with friends for a less expensive but still tasty meal.  You can help them out by adding some new and innovative options to your first course menu.  Check out this article from Flavor and the Menu for some unique ideas.  
Another way to help your customers save money is to pare down your drink menu - instead of double digit drink prices, try offering less expensive options that can be complimentary to less expensive menu items.  Your customers will appreciate that you are saving them money, but still offering a valuable experience, like the operators features in this article from Nation's Restaurant News. 
Commercial properties aren't the only ones experimenting with new appetizer options.  Noncommercial outlets across the country are getting in on expanding their starter selections.  Check out their ideas in this article from Food Management.
Children's Menus - Upgrade Yours to Keep Kids and Parents Happy

To keep your pint-sized diners and their parents happy, consider revamping your children's menu offerings for the New Year.  Today's kids have much more sophisticated palates than the previous generations. 

 

Here are our suggestions for a better children's menu

  1. Consider two different kids menus: One for the youngest diners and one for the older kids.  The menu for the older kids can even be scaled down versions of the "grown up" menu items.  What 10-year-old doesn't love to act like an adult, especially out in public?
  2. Consider ethnic options: At home, kids eat more ethnic food, but the choices are lacking when it comes to eating out.  Give kids a few ethnic options along with the old standards
  3. Give healthy side options: Parent are much more focused on their kids' health, with one in five parents admitting to having an overweight child.  Sides like steamed vegetables, fruit, rice or baked potatoes are all great options.

 

For more ideas on how to make your children's menu more modern, check out either of these articles from Flavor & the Menu.

Ted Hughes Keeps it Simple in the Kitchen
Though he has worked in kitchens all over the world, including the Middle East, Washington Golf Club Executive Chef Ted Hughes considers staffing the biggest challenged faced across the industry.
 
"Finding good qualified help [is a challenge]," he said.  "Even just finding help that you can teach.  This generation [of culinary students] thinks they are just going to move up the ladder without having to do anything.  There is a huge misconception about what actually happens in the kitchen."
 
Remember Every Special Event or Regular Order with Our New Reminder Service
Weddings,business meetings, big parties or even small ones, Progressive Gourmet knows time is sometimes not on your side. Every month is jammed with dates for you to remember and for most of us it is not easy keep organized. Use our email reminder service to help you remember to place your orders for all the special events or regular orders and make sure your products are delivered when you need them.
The Progressive Gourmet Reminder Service makes it easy to...
  • Request reminder emails for as many events as you like
  • Receive reminders the day you request, so you always have plenty of time to make adjustments to your order
  • Set up for one major event or regular ordering schedule
Warm Regards,
 
Erin Flaherty, Marketing Coordinator
Progressive Gourmet
 

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