What is the Impossible Burger? If you engage in any form of media including radio, TV, social media or the internet, you’ve probably heard of the Impossible Burger. It became all the rage when people discovered they could both eat healthy and eat vegan (or vegetarian) without sacrificing their cravings for meat. After 5 years […]
Do you ever find yourself in a bad mood when the weather is nasty? Well, that bad weather may also lead to an increased likelihood of leaving negative restaurant reviews. Researchers at the Ohio State University Hospitality Management program conducted a series of studies that uncovered the relationship between weather and negative restaurant reviews. “Restaurant […]
There has been a lot written about menu design. The choices you make as you put together your menu can definitely impact your business. Probably more than any other marketing piece, your menu communicates most directly to your customers. And even without being explicit, it can influence your customers’ opinion of your business. But how […]
UPDATED – California enacted a ban of latex gloves that went into effect on January 1, 2020. Ohio becomes the latest state to enact a latex glove ban for restaurants, foodservice and retail food establishments. Effective March 1, 2019, latex gloves will no longer be permitted. This latex glove ban is similar to laws on […]
There are few kitchen tools that are as simple, versatile and enduring as the classic dutch oven. And while we refer to them as “dutch ovens” or “casserole dishes” in America, there are very similar examples of this classic pot in many other cultures. This is a testament to the flexibility and utility that comes […]
Failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can get you sued. As demonstrated by the recent cases against Domino’s and Five Guys, even your website needs to be ADA compliant. But what about your physical location? You need to have a strategy to help you create an ADA compliant restaurant, bar or […]
Have you ever heard of a salamander broiler or salamander grill? You might think that these are the same thing as a cheese melter. But those are actually two very different pieces of equipment. So what makes a salamander grill unique? Let’s explore the history and uses for the kitchen equipment classic, the salamander grill. […]
You’ve done it! Perhaps you saw one on sale while doing your holiday shopping. Or, perhaps your Meemaw gave you one for making some of her secret, family recipe fried chicken. However it happened, you now own your very own cast iron cookware, be it a skillet, Dutch oven, griddle, or other equally wonderful item. […]
The definition of a “ramekin” has evolved over the last 50 years in the restaurant industry. The traditional definition of a ramekin is a small, straight-sided ceramic or glass cup or dish used for baking and serving. it is typically a single serving dish meant to go from preparation to baking to serving. You might […]
Hotel pans are food pans used for food storage, holding and serving. They are used in many facets of the restaurant and catering industries. Hotel pans sometimes referred to as “steam table pans,” “service pans” or “counter pans.” As you might imagine, hotel pans are often used in steam tables to hold food for serving. […]
What is your term for a frozen ice beverage? Slush (or Slushie, Slushy, Slushee), Icee, Smoothies, Slurpee or Slush Puppie? There are actually some significant differences among these products. However, many of them can be served in a piece of commercial foodservice equipment known as a “granita machine.” Granita machines are commonly found in convenience […]
You may call it a spatula, a turner, a spreader, a flipper or any number of other names. Spatulas come in many different shapes and sizes. And there are just about as many uses for the humble spatula. But do you know the origin of the spatula? It might just surprise you! The etymology of the […]
Short answer: Yes, the location of your refrigerator compressor could potentially matter a lot. Longer Answer: The compressor placement depends on a number of factors including the placement of the piece of equipment within your physical facility and the type of business being serviced by the refrigerator. But let’s start with the basics so you […]
The restaurant industry has a lot of obscure terms that often confuse even experienced chefs. One our favorite mystifying names also has one of the most interesting back-stories: the Bain Marie. So let’s start with the basics: What is a bain marie? Simply put, it is very similar to the traditional double-boiler. It is also […]
Even if you are a relative newcomer to the foodservice industry, you have heard the term “stainless steel.” But even industry veterans are often undereducated about the finer points of stainless steel and its uses. For such a common material, there is a lot of potential confusion. So let’s get started exploring the finer points […]
Pop-up restaurants are the 6th most popular restaurant concept trend according to a recent survey by the National Restaurant Association. But what exactly is a pop-up restaurant? And what do you need to know before launching one of your own? The defining feature of a pop-up restaurant is its temporary nature. Pop-ups can come and […]