Cheese has long been a much-loved staple among many cultures around the world and a key ingredient in many traditional dishes. In recent years, however, the dairy delicacy has been taken from humble beginnings to become one of the latest food trends. From goat cheese gougère appetizers to pimento cheese macaroni and cheese, cheese plates, cheesecakes, and much more, the possibilities are seemingly endless.
For those looking to capitalize on this trend in their restaurant or catering business, the process can seem daunting. Fortunately for the modern chef, there are plenty of resources and tools available to help get started on the cheese trend. This article will discuss the best strategies and tactics to get started with the cheese trend and make sure your efforts are successful.
Start with a Menu Audit
For chefs getting started with the cheese trend, the first step is to conduct a menu audit. This will help identify the cheese dishes in your current menu, as well as determine which ones are the most popular with customers. It’s also important to determine which cheese dishes should be removed from the menu, ones that are not generating enough interest or revenue. Having this insight can help chefs create a menu with dishes that will resonate with customers.
Research Cheese Types and Trends
Chefs that want to incorporate trendy cheese dishes into their menu should start by researching different cheese types and trends. This will help them determine what varieties are best suited for certain dishes, and maximize the flavor potential of their cheese dishes. Additionally, they can use data to stay informed about the latest cheese trends. Brizo provides industry insights and analysis that will allow chefs to research and prospect the food service market, and make informed decisions about menu items.
Experiment with Different Cheese Varieties
Chefs should experiment with different cheese varieties to come up with novel dishes. Cream cheese and feta cheese are two common varieties that can be combined in many dishes, while other kinds like chèvre, Boursin, and blue cheese add unique flavors. Chefs should also take into account customer preferences, and tailor their creations to fit those.
Focus on Presentation and Flavor Combinations
In addition to experimenting with different cheese varieties, chefs should also focus on presentation. Whether it’s a grilled cheese sandwich or a cheese platter, making the dish visually appealing will make it more attractive to customers. Additionally, chefs should consider flavor combinations that will complement the cheese. The right mix of accompaniments will help create a unique and flavorful dish.
Use restaurant technology to Streamline Production and Maximize Efficiency
In order to ensure success with the cheese trend, chefs should leverage restaurant technology. This technology can help streamline production and maximize efficiency, allowing chefs to be more productive and make more dishes in a shorter period of time. For instance, a large number of chefs are using foodservice market intelligence to analyze customer data and identify trends to inform their menu and optimize for success.
Find Kitchens and Expand Operations
Finally, chefs looking to capitalize on the cheese trend should strategically expand their brand and find kitchens to accommodate additional dishes. Food service market intelligence can provide chefs with the insights needed to identify potential locations in the food service market and help them expand their operations.
Key point
Cheese has long been a much-loved staple among many cultures around the world. In recent years, however, it has become one of the latest food trends thanks to innovative dishes such as goat cheese gougères, pimento cheese macaroni and cheese, and cheese plates. For those looking to capitalize on this trend, there are plenty of resources and tools available. Chefs should conduct menu audits and research different cheese types and trends, as well as experiment with different varieties and focus on presentation and flavor combinations. Additionally, restaurant technology can be used to streamline production and maximize efficiency, and foodservice market intelligence can help chefs identify potential locations to expand their operations.
