Operators seek flavorful, versatile solutions that drive efficiency

Sponsored by BURKE^® Corporation

Foodservice operators are seeking products that help satisfy consumers’ desire for flavorful, globally inspired culinary experiences.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers traded traditional travel experiences for culinary adventures,” says Kyle Flottman, brand manager, Burke Corporation. “This trend has only grown stronger as we move in 2023.”

He cites the pizza category as a prime example, in which international flavor profiles such as Thai, Vietnamese, and Mexican have become increasingly popular.

More than one in four consumers—27%—are eating more unique types of global foods and beverages than they were two years ago, according to Technomic’s Global Food and Beverage Consumer Trend Report. Latin flavors in particular are an attractive draw for young consumers, who see them as exciting and premium, Flottman says. In fact the market for Mexican food is expected to grow by $113 billion through 2026, according to the Food Institute.

The new, fully cooked BURKE^® Mexican-Inspired Meats reflect these culinary trends, and can be used in multiple dishes across the menu.

Mexican-Inspired Recipe Ideas

The line of fully cooked BURKE^® Mexican-Inspired Meats can easily be incorporated into a variety of on-trend recipes. Consider using them to drive excitement with limited-time offers or as permanent menu items to appeal to consumers’ demand for global flavors and ingredients.

BURKE^® Chicken Sausage with Tinga-Style Seasonings can be used to make some spicy Chicken Tinga Tostadas, for example.

Other ideas include:

• A spicy-and-sweet Albondigas Noodle Bowl made with BURKE^® Pork & Beef Meatballs with Albondigas-Style Seasonings and honey-soy sauce glaze;

• Salsa Verde Empanadas made with BURKE^® Cooked Sausage with Salsa Verde-Style Seasonings;

• A Chorizo Grain Bowl with a kick from BURKE^® Chorizo Sausage Crumbles;

• Mexican Cheese Bread made with French bread, mozzarella cheese and BURKE^® Mexican Style Beef Crumbles—a zesty, Khachapuri-style breakfast item;

• Meatballs with Orzo and Whipped Feta, featuring the smoky, sweet, and spicy notes of BURKE^® Beef Meatballs with Smoky Chipotle Seasonings.

Streamline Kitchen Operations

The fully cooked BURKE^® Mexican-Inspired Meats also provide labor efficiencies for restaurant operators. These fully cooked, pre-seasoned ingredients can streamline operations in the kitchen, reducing the number of labor hours needed for prep work, among other benefits.

“With fully cooked ingredients, operators can avoid things like additional training, clean-up, and equipment needs that are required when working with raw meats,” says Flottman.

Other advantages of incorporating fully cooked meats from Burke include:

• Consistency—“No matter what recipe, shape, or texture you need, fully cooked ingredients will be the same each and every time,” says Flottman.

• Convenience—With individually quick-frozen (IQF) items especially, fully cooked ingredients are easier to handle and flow freely from the bag, he says. That means operators can easily get the exact amount they need.

• Food safety—“With fully cooked meats, there is no need to worry about the microbial dangers and cross-contamination problems associated with raw meats,” says Flottman.

• Product stability—Cooked meat has a much slower oxidation rate than does raw, he says, resulting in longer shelf life.

• Cost savings—Fully cooked meats result in a 100% yield, which means operators no longer need to order extra product in case of waste, Flottman says.

In the kitchen, the fully cooked BURKE^® Mexican-Inspired Meats make it easy to add bold flavors all across your menu.

“Operators have a unique opportunity to capture a segment of the market they may have not yet reached by introducing new and exciting flavors to adventurous and curious consumers,” Flottman says.

Learn how BURKE^® Mexican-Inspired Meats can help you give your diners the adventurous flavors they crave without adding back-of-the-house complexity.