Menu Flavors That Win in 2024

 

Customer relevance can always be elevated with a timely new menu item.  According to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® the cost of customer retention is less if you simply update you menu with the ‘flavor’ of the year. Next year (2024) McCormick's flavor of the year is tamarind.

So, McCormick & Co. has unveiled the 24th edition of its Flavor Forecast report, and the company’s standout spice for the new year is the acidic, tangy and sweet tamarind. Native to Africa, India and the Middle East, the pod-like fruit has been used in Latin, Caribbean and Mexican cuisines for centuries.

McCormick believes tamarind will fuel a global curiosity for what's next in food, drink and flavor, and has released a new Tamarind & Pasilla Chile Seasoning, which is currently available online. The company is also partnering with Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer restaurant to create several limited-edition, tamarind-infused menu items that will be available in February.

"This year, we're thrilled for people to experience the taste, versatility and tang of Tamarind," said Hadar Cohen Aviram, executive chef and senior manager, culinary development, U.S. consumer at McCormick. "It is the perfect ingredient to incorporate in savory and sweet dishes which is evident through the creative, flavorful, limited-time dishes we are proudly co-developing with Black Tap."

Other trends for the new year include:

·         Sour Power: From tamarind to coconut vinegar, acidic agents are stepping into the spotlight to open our senses, boost craveability and even help "cook" without heat. Sour is proving it's not "just another ingredient;" it's revolutionizing menus, delivering layer on layer of exciting flavor.

·         Thoughtfully Borrowed: Authenticity encompasses background, heritage and experiences, and with it comes a reinvention of regional-traditional cooking. Starting with a dash of something that's "you," these conscious cultural combinations pay homage and respect to both roots and backgrounds – creating a celebration of flavor, experience and cuisine.

In a Battle For Share of Stomach

Menu Flavor is Important 

·         Indulgence Redefined: From a crisp, light ceviche to an over-the-top breakfast poutine, indulgence is about how we treat ourselves through flavor, texture and ingredients that make us happy. Two ways this trend comes to life are through newstalgic and food maximalism. Newstaglic: What's old is new again, with restaurants reintroducing childhood favorites with a gourmet twist. Food maximalism: By layering flavors and textures in creative, fun and thoughtful ways, you can experience flavor to the max.

"For nearly 25 years, McCormick has forecasted global flavor trends through our Flavor Forecast report,” said Tabata Gomez, chief marketing officer at McCormick. “After all this time, there is still no shortage of trends to uncover which allow us to continue to shake up the way people cook, flavor and eat."

For international corporate presentations, educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us  With extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert and public speaking he educate and elevate everyone while providing success clues for all.  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us or www.GrocerantGuru.com

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe Locals Supporting Locals

Success does leave clues and at Taziki’s Mediterranean Café that means support those who support you. When Taziti’s customers were forced to ‘shelter in place, Taziti’s knew that they could not.  Restaurant companies that understand the needs of their consumers and meet the those needs are the ones that will succeed according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe recenlty launched Taziki's Market, which will include an array of grocery items for guests to order online at tazikis.com and through the Taziki's app. The team at Taziti’s knew during times of stress that they need to be dynamic not static.

So when they developed Taziki's Market they included five categories: produce, meats, dairy/breads/dry goods, deli sides/dressings and beverages. Various amounts of these items will be available to order for delivery or pick-up beginning in Nashville, Richmond, Atlanta, Denver, and Memphis.

Dan Simpson, CEO of Taziki's Mediterranean Café  stated “Taziki's plans to expand the program across their various other locations throughout the coming months. Taziki's is focused on providing needed essentials for everyone adapting to COVID-19. When Taziki's customers choose menu items for curbside or delivery, they now have the option to also add other important grocery items,"  "Our customers expect freshness when they think of Taziki's, that is why we're rolling out new ways for them to conveniently get everything in one place."

The new Taziki's Market items include:

Small Fruit Bag: apples, oranges, a bag of grapes, and other seasonal berries that may include blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, for $15.

Small Veggie Bag: Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, roma tomatoes, onion, and a pint of housemade Greek or Balsamic Dressing, for $15.

Large Veggie Bag: Romaine lettuce, carrots, roma tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, onions, and seasonal vegetables that may include zucchini, squash, asparagus, for $30.

À La Carte Items: Taziki's fresh proteins (in select stores) including chicken, beef, shrimp, and salmon, along with Taziki's signature basmati rice, authentic pita bread, and penne and rotini pastas.

Beverages: Gallons of tea and lemonade

Of course, the restaurant's savory favorites will be available in their newest market option called the Cold Pantry Bag ($30). This bag includes their signature scratch-made dips like Whipped Feta, Taziki's Hummus, salsa, along with customer-favorite Taziki's Pasta Salad with Baked Pita Bread. All of these offerings come in convenient pints and are perfect for week-long snacking during quarantine for families and singles, alike.

Success does leave clues. Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit us on our social media sites by clicking the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter