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The PG Distributor 
August 2009
On The Table
Product Spotlight: Scallops in Bacon
Cost Conscious, Creative Catering
Gourmet Food Trucks: An Oxymoron?
Chef Spotlight: Marc Rosen
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The Leftovers
 

Scallops in Bacon - 8700SCBA 

 

Our whole, fresh sea scallops are wrapped in a juicy piece of bacon and skewered on a toothpick.  They are a classic hors d'oeuvre perfect for any event.  They are a great labor saving option - you can still put out a quality product, even if you've had to cut back on your staff.
 
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Erin Flaherty, Marketing Coordinator
Progressive Gourmet
marketing@progressivegourmet.com 
800-224-7630 
Greetings!
 
After months of gloom and doom news about the economy, things seem to be starting to look up.  We're not saying that you're going to be booking huge events next week, but your business will hopefully start coming back slowly.  People will still be looking for value in their events, and this month, we're taking a look at how to make catering more value-oriented, especially as we head into the holiday season.  We'll also look at the latest trend in New York and LA - gourmet food trucks.  Finally, we'll talk to Marc Rosen, Executive Chef of the recently-opened Renaissance Boston Hotel & Spa at Patriot Place.
Keeping Menus Cost-Conscious, but Creative is Key for Catering
 
Even though the economy is starting to show signs of slow recovery, it doesn't mean your customers are going to be throwing lavish events right away.  Hopefully, the upcoming holiday season is starting to fill up for you, but your clients are almost certainly still going to want to work on a budget.  This article from Specialty Food Magazine talks about ways you can creatively cut your costs while still turning out a high quality event for your guests.
Gourmet Food Trucks Use Social Media to Create Buzz - Can You Do the Same? 
 
New York and Los Angeles are generally on the forefront of most trends, and food trends are no exception.  So, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that some creative entrepreneurs in these cities have taken their traditional food trucks and gone upscale.  Now, that might seem like an oxymoron, but there are thriving gourmet food trucks in New York and LA that have loyal followers on Twitter and lines that circle the block.  This article talks about these gourmet shops on wheels and their use of the popular microblogging site to transmit their locations and daily specials. 
 
We're not saying that you should run out and start a gourmet food truck (though if you do, we'd love to see some in Boston), but there are some lessons that can be learned about the use of social media from the popular trucks.
  1. Social media is definitely establishing itself as an effective way to promote a business - mobile or otherwise.  If you aren't already on Twitter, you should sign up.
  2. You may not be able to change your location everyday, but you should have a hook to draw customers in.  Have a promotional code that you only put online for your loyal followers.
  3. Consistency is the key to success in any social media strategy.  You don't have to post a "tweet" every five minutes, but set a plan to post once a day, once a week, or whatever works for you and stick to it.
Local Flavor Can Give You an Edge Over the Competition: A Conversation with Marc Rosen
 
Opening a new hotel can be a daunting task for a chef, especially if it is only the third hotel you've worked at in your 30 year career.  Fortunately, when Executive Chef Marc Rosen opened the Renaissance Boston Hotel & Spa at Patriot Place earlier this summer, he had a great team in place and had a very smooth opening.
 
"This was one of the easiest and best openings I've ever done," Rosen said.  "I have a great team.  Everyone was 'dressed for success' and we took it and ran with it."
 
Rosen and his team of 20 are in charge of both the banquet operations and the restaurant, Twenty8 Food & Spirits.  Rosen was inspired by the bold design of the restaurant to create a menu with a focus on regional flavors and local suppliers.  The geometric-patterned booths and glass chandeliers create a unique and quirky setting for Rosen's upscale comfort food. Read more about Marc...
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