Donuts are to America what macarons are to France – timeless. With not much in common, the two popular sweet icons share one characteristic: they are not affected by trends. The classic confections will always be a go-to for all generations, and have been for hundreds of years. In recent years, donuts have been on… Read more »
Making Noise & Driving Traffic: The Rise of Short-Term LTO’s
Thinking product development, new menu offering, or seasonal LTOs? Making noise and driving traffic with a new offering can be challenging. Marketing strategies change so fast, sometimes observing what big brands are doing can be a true inspiration to help you market your new products or limited-time offers. Some Marketing Takeaways on the Unicorn Frappuccino… Read more »
Milkshakes: Are You Ready to Shake Things Up?
Pop cakes were fun, Cronuts® very creative, but the new “thing” has moved on to the beverage category, with a spotlight on … milkshakes! The sweet and creamy classic frozen beverage, once the sweet object of America’s love affair with desserts, has evolved to take over the world. With this progression, Extreme Milkshakes are born…. Read more »
Nutritional Label Changes: What You Need to Know
The Nutrition Facts label was introduced more than twenty years ago to help consumers make informed decisions with their food choices and health practices. But based on recent dietary recommendations from expert groups, new nutrition and public health research, as well as input from the public, the iconic label had to undergo some important changes… Read more »
THE LATEST UPDATES ON WHAT IS MAKING WAVES IN FOOD
Just like any other business dealing with competition and demanding customers, cruise lines need to constantly rethink their approach to please vacationers. Following the trends and innovations of the food industry on land, they must also come up with new concepts to remain competitive and attract a broader audience – especially after enduring bad press… Read more »
FOOD TREND: THE FLAVOR MAKEOVER
The world of food and beverage is bursting with flavorful innovation. From new flavor profiles to trends that continue to expand today’s standard foods are getting a real flavor makeover. Even if flavoring is nothing new, the growing trend of infusing flavor into everyday products such as water, milk, teas and other beverages is on… Read more »
AN AMERICAN FAVORITE, SHAKING UP THE FOOD INDUSTRY
Creamy, fruity and alcoholic milkshakes are making a comeback in the food industry this year. Following the cupcake and frozen pop craze, nostalgia is showing little sign of slowing down on the food scene with this year’s new craze, reinvented milkshakes. The long-time American favorite, commonly called “shakes,” are commemorated by two national holidays on… Read more »
LICENSING & CO-BRANDING: INCREASING BRAND VISIBILITY
Most customers ordering the new Nacho Cheese Doritos® Locos Tacos, a taco with a shell made of the famous Nacho Cheese Doritos® Chips, from the chain Taco Bell won’t question the reason why or how their favorite chips brand made it to a quick service restaurant (QSR), they simply enjoy it. From its slogan, “Taco… Read more »
BUILD-YOUR-WAY OR NO-WAY
Menu Item Customization In Response To Millennial Expectations For Qsr & Fast Casual “I would like the house special without tomatoes — can you put cucumber instead? Do you have plain bread instead of cereal? No mustard, please, I’ll have ranch on the side.” If you ever found yourself asking for exactly what you want… Read more »
CATERING TO THE NEEDS OF BUSINESS TRAVELERS
Aiming To Please The Top Spenders In Hotels According to the U.S. Travel Association, business travel in the U.S. was responsible for $246 billion in spending for 2012. The horizon for the travel industry is bright for 2013 with an expected increase of 4.6 percent to reach $266.7 billion. Looking at these numbers, it’s easy… Read more »
THE TRUTH ON SCARY-SOUNDING FOOD INGREDIENTS
From Diglyceride To Guar Gum, What Are These Things Really? Myths and misconceptions about food and ingredients are part of daily life in the food industry. Claims such as “I only eat light products because they are good for me” and “corn syrup is a secret poison” are commonly heard. Nowadays, the words “natural,” “gluten-free”… Read more »
HAZELNUT NATION
Flavoring America You can find them in coffee, ice cream, chocolate delicacies, flour, oil or as a spread because hazelnuts are all the rage and making their way into a multitude of our daily consumables. Alone or mixed with chocolate, the hazelnut is being incorporated into popular food products and dishes in all facets of… Read more »
FROM HOSPITALS TO HOTELS TO UNIVERSITIES
Gourmet Dining Is Set To Surge As Consumers Demand More High-End Experiences Hospitals, hotels and Universities around the world have been diversifying at a fast pace to respond to a more and more cosmopolitan audience. The cuisine and food services in on-campus restaurants and dining halls, hotel lounges and hospital cafeterias are reaching new heights… Read more »
TOP 10: Favorite Gelato Flavors, and What They Say About You!
If today’s tendency is to let the season influence one’s choice of dessert and/or flavor from the menu, consumers still go for their all- time favorites most of the time. This is especially true for frozen desserts such as ice cream or gelato. While stores are now offering an overwhelming combination of adventurous tastes, there… Read more »
The Long-Lasting Craze of Salted Caramel
A Flavorful Marriage We All Love “Pumpkin Spice Is Dead, Long Live Salted Caramel.” You might have stumbled upon this article from the Washington Post while researching flavor trends for the fall season. While it is arguable that pumpkin spice is over when looking at the many flavor offerings in existence, there is no doubt… Read more »
Top 10: Flowers & Herbs Used in Desserts
Eat Your Garden: Gourmet Flowers & Savory Herbs in Sweets! After falling out of favor for a long time, flowers are back in the kitchen! While edible flowers have been used for years in cooking or as decorations for various dishes, incorporating herbs to create sweet and savory recipes is a top trend in 2015…. Read more »
Specialty Bakeries: The Rise of Sweet and Successful Niche Concepts
Niche markets are thriving in the world of sweets. Specialty bakeries are popping up and prospering thanks to their unique and creative concepts, and the evolving demand of the industry. Modern customers and dessert lovers are seeking interesting treats with personality and are also on the lookout for local and better-for-you options at the same… Read more »
Chef Frederic Monti Shares Talents in Toronto, Canada
Bringing both his impressive pastry skills and engaging personality to Toronto, Chef Frédéric Monti, corporate pastry chef for PreGel America and Cacao Barry Ambassador, showcased innovative techniques and classic flavor combinations to a full class. The February 18, 2015 PreGel 5-Star Pastry Ambassador demonstration was organized in partnership with Cacao Barry, bringing local Toronto pastry… Read more »
Top Ten: Concepts & Products We’ve Said Goodbye to at PreGel, for Better or for Worse
In light of farewells, we thought in this last edition of Views from the Tree we should also honor the Top 10 PreGel products and concepts that made their exit in the past few years. In business you are always learning, trying new things, making mistakes and building on concepts – all in attempt to… Read more »
Ever Thought About Going Wholesale? The Reasons Why It’s Worth It.
All gelato businesses have a common dream: to be successful and make the world’s best gelato. Most independent businesses start with a small gelato shop pouring their passion and knowledge into it. Once they accomplish opening a brick and mortar store, then comes the decision on how to extend their businesses beyond the walls of… Read more »
We All Go Nuts for Peanuts – What’s all the hype about America’s favorite nut?
Convenient, inexpensive, good for you and delicious: they have it all! Peanuts are the most popular and consumed nuts in the United States and can be found nearly everywhere. Perfect for a quick snack to cut a craving before grocery shopping or to boost your energy before a workout, a large selection of peanuts can… Read more »
The Power of Snacking: The Story of Sweet & Savory Snack Attacks
A morning break, an after-lunch sweet, a midafternoon or late night occasion, the opportunities for snacking are as numerous as the treats available to satisfy any craving. While snacking used to be viewed as a weakness, it is now part of routine life and one that many nutritionists encourage for an active metabolism. This new… Read more »
Convenience Goes Gourmet C-Stores at the Crossroads of Gourmet and Convenient
The name speaks for itself: convenience stores are all about quick and easy accessibility. Frequented by time-pressured consumers looking to multitask, they are the best destination to park, pump and pick something up to eat at the same time. As a preferred stop for on-the-go refreshments and meals, the trend of gourmet food being sold… Read more »
Berry Healthy: Understanding the Standards and Variations of Timeless Pastry Items
Pastries are sophisticated and elegant desserts that demand high expectations from customers. They aren’t the easiest to craft and understand, often taking years of culinary schooling to perfect. Pastries often have unpronounceable names because of their provenance, but these delicacies are big players in the food industry and thus deserve a basic understanding.With similar names… Read more »
Featured Article: Taste of Inspiration from the Kitchen: Turning Ideas into Novelties
From seasons to trends and latest innovations, dining options are being revamped as fast as consumer tastes and demands are changing. Finding inspiration to launch successful flavors, products or recipes can be a real challenge for chefs and companies that have to deal with the rapid replacement of products on the market and the logistics… Read more »
What’s Blooming: A Not-So-New But Beloved Novelty: The Ice Cream Sandwich!
Once a cheap street treat, the ice cream sandwich is now considered a “novelty.” This is quite an accomplishment as the history of the ice cream sandwich paints a much humbler beginning. According to several food history sources, the popular sweet delight was introduced in the late 19th century and was sold to the “common… Read more »
Feature Article: Demographics: Incomes, Genders, Buying Habits, Ethnicities, etc.
Imagine practicing archery blindfolded, or hunting with your eyes closed. Not that easy, if not impossible without seeing your target. The same concept can be applied to your business. Whether you are a business owner or thinking about opening a store, your business plan must include the following objectives: research and learn as much as… Read more »
What’s Blooming: From Trends to Flavor and Concepts, What’s Blooming in International Kitchens
Gastronomy is constantly evolving thanks to creativity, talented chefs and curiosity, but also technology and science, all of which allow for texture development, new ways of conservation, cooking styles and so forth. Even if traditional cuisine remains anchored in every culture, new trends continue to emerge around the word from Europe to Asia and America… Read more »