The name says it all. For those of you who have attended The Flavor Experience, it truly is just that – an experience. The conference, which is an invitational event for top F&B decision makers, allows brands to showcase their latest and greatest dishes, which are always innovative and on-trend. A conference favorite is Chef Gerry Ludwig’s presentation highlighting growing menu trends. So, for those who weren’t able to attend, here is a quick rundown of five trends along with some California walnut recipe inspiration:
- Pillowy Pancakes – Pancakes have always been a breakfast staple. But with the rise of the all-day breakfast (and all-day dining for that matter), pancakes have been elevated. Chefs are now taking the extra time and using a non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet for dishes like Walnut Whole Wheat Pancakes, creating fluffy and thicker pancakes usually not achievable on a griddle.
- Avocado Toast – The Next Wave – It’s not going away, folks. But according to Chef Gerry, there is no need to start from scratch. Review your PAR Inventory sheet for current ingredients you can utilize for your own variety of avocado toast like this Walnut Avocado Cheese Crostini.
- Veg Centric continues to explode, branching off into it’s own micro trends. As you’ll see below, sweet potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, and stone fruit are just a few segments we’re seeing on menus.
- Sweet Potatoes – From casseroles to tarts to skins, the upcoming fall season is the perfect opportunity to incorporate sweet potatoes into your menu. This Walnut-Crusted Toad in a Hole with Sweet Potato & Kale Hash is a perfect example of how you can include several trends into a new dish.
- Heirloom Tomatoes – Plump and juicy heirloom tomatoes can add so much flavor to a dish. Allow this fruit (or vegetable!) to shine in a beautiful Chunky Walnut Pesto with Heirloom Tomatoes.
- Stone Fruit – There still may be time to incorporate fresh stone fruit into a daily special with something as simple and delicious as Stone Fruit with Whipped Walnut-Lemon Honey.
Stay tuned for more trend reports and how you can incorporate California walnuts into your next dish!
