2010 Menu Development Survey: In Menus, Diversity Rules
Foodservice Director's Menu Development Study finds that Asian is "in", Mediterranean has staying power, and Thai, Caribbean and Cuban will be making their way onto more non-commercial menus in months to come.
Foodservice Director asked 30 chefs and operators what cuisines are popular in their operations and why. Results showed that familiar ethnic cuisines such as Asian and Mediterranean drive menus across non-commercial segments.
Foodservice professionals tell us why.
Vaughn Vargus, executive chef at University of California at San Diego, said "At the top of the list would be our sushi/soba menu items. Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese are all very popular."
Foodservice director, Mary Kate Harrison of Hillsboro County School District in Florida, says "Our Asian bowls with orange chicken or teriyaki beef are very popular, not only with students but also adults." They've also added sushi as an a la cart item.
Dominic Machi, foodservice director for Newark Unified School District in California attributes the rise in Asian menu offerings to what kids see in the "outside". "As you look at retail menus you see items from those cuisines the most, and this reflects what the students' desire in their lunch program," said Machi.
"Due to the diversity of our students and staff at UCLA, it is important that our ethnic cuisines are authentic," says Executive Chef Roger Pigozzi. "Whether we are serving Mediterranean, Asian or Mexican, as long as the items served are prepared and presented following authentic recipes, the dishes are equally well received."
Other results include:
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Most popular 12 ethnic cuisines Chinese/Japanese (73%), Mediterranean/Greek (45%), Nuevo Latin (25%), Caribbean (24%), Indian (24%), Cuban (22%), Middle Eastern (22%), Thai (21%), Jamaican (19%), Korean (10%), Vietnamese (8%)and other Southeast Asian(6%)
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Respondents say Thai, Mediterranean and Indian are "hot" ethnic cuisines
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Thai is the most likely cuisine to be added to menus in the next 12 months
Respondents also rank culinary training as an important component to keeping abreast of menu trends.
Visit USA Rice's culinary center for recipe ideas, techniques, video demonstrations and education center for online training materials.
