Cheese has become an integral part of the modern culinary world and is a key ingredient in many dishes. With consumers increasingly turning to specialty and artisanal cheese, businesses in the foodservice industry must stay up-to-date on emerging trends in the cheese industry in order to remain competitive. This article discusses how foodservice operators can get started in learning and adapting to the latest cheese trends.
Discovering and Understanding Cheese Trends
Discovering the latest trends in the cheese industry is the first step for any business wishing to stay ahead of the competition. Companies can use both online and offline research methods to get insights into emerging trends. Online research activities such as reading blog posts, becoming a part of online forums, and following industry publications can help operators gain industry intelligence and stay updated with the latest cheese trends. Offline research activities such as attending trade shows, visiting cheese mongers and farmer’s markets, and networking with industry professionals are also beneficial ways of keeping on top of modern cheese trends.
Beyond discovering new trends, operators must also understand how those trends will affect their operations. This could mean analyzing various factors such as customer preferences, market pricing, and the availability of quality ingredients. By understanding the implications of trendy cheese types, businesses can be better equipped to make strategic decisions about their menu and operations.
Adding Cheese to the Menu
Once businesses have identified and understood upcoming trends in the cheese market, the next step is to incorporate those new types of cheese into their menu. Operators must consider the various options for cheese usage. Some of the most popular include adding slices of cheese to sandwiches, tossing cheese with salads, and incorporating cheese into sauces. Businesses must also consider how they will source the desired cheese and if they have the proper equipment and staff to handle any preparation requirements.
In addition to the dish, operators should also consider the cheese’s appearance and how it will add to the plate. Is the cheese adding flavor, texture, or visual appeal? Can chefs create presentations that feature the cheese? All of these questions must be answered when adding cheese varieties to a menu.
Adopting New Production Practices
Finally, businesses may need to adjust their production practices in order to accommodate the new cheese trends. Companies may need to invest in new equipment for slicing and storing cheese, develop processes for handling the new ingredients, and train their staff to correctly handle the new cheese products. All of these steps are necessary in order for companies to successfully add cheese trends to their foodservice operations.
The main takeaway
For businesses in the foodservice industry, understanding and adapting to new cheese trends is essential for staying competitive. Through research, menu adjustments, and the support of production practices, operators can ensure they are offering customers the latest in cheese products. By staying ahead of the trends, food service operators can remain modern and successful in the cheese industry.
