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Showing posts from June, 2021

How to Equip Your Bakery Business for Growth

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Did you know that the bakery products market in North America is projected to grow nearly 5% in the next four years? Yes, 2020 and early 2021 were big for home baking, but things are changing fast. More consumers are going back to work outside the home, reducing the time they have to cook and bake from scratch as many did during the height of the pandemic. Adding to that, a change of scenery and an opportunity to enjoy hand-crafted, artisan pastries and breads are a powerful draw for most of us! Offering a little insight into what’s to come for the baking business, Restaurant Business  recently reported that Panera is introducing a new store design featuring a “bakery theater” debuting in November in the St. Louis suburb of Ballwin. This new design will treat dine-in customers to the experience of watching fresh breads and pastries being made throughout the day. Can’t get that with delivery! Whether putting on a show for customers front-of-house or making their magic in the ...

Reimagining the Buffet for Adaptable Service

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The buffet is an American institution. We didn’t invent it, but we love the freedom of choice and portion size—and of course, going back for seconds at no additional charge. The events of the last year stopped buffets in their tray-railed tracks, leaving many of us wondering if they would ever come back. Things are looking up! Now that re-opening is well underway, buffets are also on the rebound. And if they have to evolve to survive, they will. After all, one of the greatest lessons we’ve all learned from this era of uncertainty is how to quickly adapt when the situation changes on a dime. If you’re planning to re-open your buffet, transitional serving tools and equipment are the ticket to easing back into self-service while being prepared to expect the unexpected. Here are a few that look great and can be used in different ways under varied circumstances, making them well worth their weight in gold. Serving Well Converters Hatco's Heated Well Cover makes hot food bars more...

How to Buy Top E&S Brands on a Budget

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Prices seem to be going up on everything, but the budget’s the budget, right? It’s easy to be tempted to invest in a lesser imitation to get by in the short term, but it’s not much of an investment if it needs to be replaced far sooner than it should. Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to compromise quality for affordability? Sometimes you don’t. Check out these high-value options from some of the best brands in foodservice. Food Pans, Storage Containers, and Seal Covers by Cambro What they’re famous for: There’s a reason that the brand name Cambro is synonymous with food storage containers that last and last. Known for durability, visibility, and a tight seal that prolongs shelf life, Cambro Camwear food pans , storage containers , and seal covers are a staple for cold and ambient applications. They also do what metal can’t: prep, store, transport, and serve all in one pan. How to get these benefits for less: Like Camwear pans and food storage containers, Cambro Tran...

3 Steps to Stop Summer Heat from Endangering Food

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Hot weather has officially arrived! Great for summer fun, but not so great for summer food. Naturally, foodborne illness occurs most in the summer when outdoor dining and events are in full swing, and cold, refreshing foods are a menu staple. We all know about the importance of safe holding temperatures any time of year, but after months of cooler weather, most of us could use a refresher on how quickly hot summer weather can make good food turn bad. According to the USDA, bacteria grow fastest at temperatures from 90 to 110°F which makes summer weather the perfect breeding ground for food poisoning. Foodsafety.gov recommends no longer than a 1-hour period of food sitting outside without an active cold source. That hour goes fast. How can you make sure the food you serve is kept safe at all times? An active cold source, whether electric or nonelectric, is a best practice to follow every step of the way, starting at receiving. 1. Refrigerate right away. Process food deliverie...

Protecting Your Fresh Food Investment from Farm to Table

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Consumers ate a LOT of frozen food in 2020. According to Supermarket News , frozen food sales in 2020 were up 21% in dollars and 13.3% in units over 2019. Packaged food sales also got a big boost (up to 87.5% the week of March 15, 2020) as fresh food supply chains felt the strain of the pandemic. After that experience, we’ve gained a whole new appreciation of fresh food and connection to our local communities, which sets the table for farm-to-fork concepts to thrive like never before. Whether you feature just a few farm-to-table menu items or an entire menu that is locally sourced, consumers are hungry for fresh, nutritious, flavorful food that helps support the local economy. Unlike foods that are picked before they are ripe so they can travel up to thousands of miles before consumption, locally grown produce is picked at its peak ripeness. This practice ensures the most flavorful and nutritious product, which is a good thing, but it can impact shelf life. Here are a few ways to...

School’s In! FREE Virtual School Nutrition Conference June 16

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Congratulations to all our friends in school foodservice! You made it through a school year that can’t even be put into words. You’ve given so much of yourself, now it’s time to get something back!   As a way of saying thank you for everything you’ve given your students and community, Cambro has put together a special free, virtual event just for you. School’s In! is kicking off on June 16, at 10:00 AM Central time. Chock-full of entertaining and expert speakers, it’s an event you won’t want to miss. Here are the top 5 reasons why you’ll want to take advantage of this opportunity: Get to experience Maureen G. Mulvaney’s keynote Let’s Create the New Normal . Maureen, also known as MGM, is the #1 rated school nutrition speaker, a top-rated motivational speaker, and best-selling author! Click here to learn more about Maureen and why you won’t want to miss her fun and inspiring presentation. Learn from industry experts about topics that impact your job success and satisfaction...