Sponsored by McCain Foodservice Solutions
Truffle fries are amazing. They’re also everywhere these days, so while they remain an always welcome menu item, truffle fries don’t turn heads like they once did.
So what does stand out in foodservice today? How do you design a fresh offering with broad appeal that can still put the ‘special’ in ‘specialty item?’
That’s an important question because it directly impacts profit margins and diner loyalty. To answer it, let’s turn to one of history's greatest designers, Raymond Loewy and his simple principle of MAYA: “Most Advanced Yet Accessible.” For any design to have real impact, it must be advanced yet still feel familiar. That’s the sweet spot on any menu.
Build on a basic: the power of the potato
From wedges to waffles and crinkle cut to curly, no other appetizer ingredient boasts the accessibility and popularity of potatoes. And now there’s an easy-to-prepare advance on those accessible appetizers: McCain Mini Mashers™. This new line of small poppable potatoes are crispy outside, creamy inside and crazy good. But even better, they are infinitely customizable. You can sauce them, toss them, and take them to far flung cuisines with a handful of spices and flavors. You can even think of them as an ingredient in something larger.
Consider the power of signature sauces for developing signature dishes. You can take brisket smothered in BBQ sauce so much further by layering it with pepper jack cheese and McCain Mini Mashers™ and wrapping it in a tortilla. Or dust them with chipotle spice and serve them with a side of garlic-chipotle aioli for a kickin’ crowd pleaser.
What truly gives these small potatoes their big bang is how simple they are to toss and season. Anyone in your kitchen can have them hot and ready in minutes, then give them a few good shakes in a bowl with fun combinations like Nashville hot and ranch seasoning or garlic, parmesan and fried rosemary. These flavor hits create instant classics with immediate appeal.
But to really take them to new places, harness the power of global seasonings and ingredients. Dust them with curry, add a side of cucumber raita yogurt sauce and McCain Mini Mashers™ can instantly transport a table to the Near East. Or stir up a sweet soy glaze and sprinkle them with black and white sesame seeds for some Korean flair. Anything from Peruvian Amarillo chili peppers to Mediterranean whipped feta can advance your appetizer menu to exotic new places on the back of ever-accessible McCain Mini Mashers™. Whatever culinary take you invent, these poppable potatoes provide accessible culinary canvas with true business building margin potential.
Get the whole table involved
Ultimately, that’s what great signature appetizers do – they get everyone involved around a shared experience. And not just shared around the table but shareable across the internet and supercharged by the boost of personal recommendation. When your dishes deliver memorable meal experiences your guests would never make at home, they drive dependable repeat orders and return traffic.
Invest some time in developing a signature dish for your restaurant. They work powerfully to reflect your overall brand, asserting your style, your family of flavors, and your restaurant’s unique vibe. Truly exceptional signature dishes set you apart and become synonymous with your dining experience.
As you work to develop your own, ask questions like what is your signature spice? What tastes capture the experience of your restaurant brand? What are your most popular items or bestsellers? Play and experiment with sauces and seasonings and new kinds of mini mashups to really let your flavor flagship fly. Your culinary creativity can be as advanced as you’d like; McCain Mini Mashers™ ensure your signature dishes will stay accessible.
There’s a world of flavor options out there so get busy. Make your signature dish iconic. Let it express your identity from the sauces and seasonings to the presentation in bowls or baskets – this is how identities are forged and loyalty is earned.
And who’s not hungry for more of that?
