Written exclusively for Diningelevated.com
by Emma Creed
Sanitation and The Rate of Global Pandemics
The rise of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has thrown various industries all over the country in disarray. The highly contagious nature of the virus has also drastically affected the food service industry. This has caused establishments to put mechanisms in place to adapt to these challenges.
CNN reports that various establishments have reinforced their normal hygiene practices, as a way of dealing with the rampant outbreak of the virus. These establishments have also begun reworking their paid time off and sick leave policies to dissuade sick employees from reporting to work.
Zero Waste
The threat of climate change is real and we are feeling it more and more with each passing day. In fact, The Guardian details that we have around 12 years to limit climate change to avoid a global catastrophe. This is why many industries have turned to more sustainable business practices in hopes of combatting the effects of global warming. One way the food service industry has done this is by adopting the principles of the Zero Waste movement, such as getting rid of most disposables and making use of reusable kitchen equipment. Another great way to apply this concept is through organic composting, which could prove to be an effective solution to the restaurant industry's food waste dilemma.
Multipurpose Equipment
From restaurant supply to cooking the food itself, establishments from all over the country are trying to optimize their processes. They do this in hopes of delivering the best service to enhance the overall customer experience. One way this has manifested in the food service industry is through the use of multipurpose equipment, a trend that coincides with the celebrity chef Alton Brown's overall disdain of single-use kitchen gadgets. WeKnowRice features top-grade rice cookers which ensure optimal cooking for the best quality of rice. These rice cookers also function as kitchen-grade steamers, allowing an added level of flexibility to this humble kitchen tool. Indeed, the rise of multipurpose equipment is changing the game as they continue to make the kitchen a more efficient place.
Plant-based Food
In line with the innovations of kitchen tools, the ingredients themselves have gone through an evolution of sorts. One of which is the boom of the plant-based food industry. Many companies such as Impossible Foods are taking the nation by storm with their plant-based meat alternatives. In fact, these have become so successful that both diners and fast-food chains such as Burger King have started offering the Impossible Burger on their menus. And while the presence of plant-based food is far from becoming the norm, the rapid growth of this industry is one that you'll want to keep an eye on.
Customer Experience
The overall dining experience is as important as it's ever been in 2020. Establishments from all over the country are starting to pay more and more attention to the little things such as lighting and place setting design. In an age of Postmates and Uber Eats, restaurants really must up their game in order to get diners physically in the door. Different restaurants have begun to approach this in their own way. Alinea, a restaurant in Chicago with three Michelin stars, has supplemented form with function through the use of the table, itself, as the stage for food as theater. Your meal becomes the actual tabletop's design. Indeed, food is enjoyed through the use of all the senses so this trend of focusing on the overall dining experience isn't going to go away anytime soon.
If you're looking to improve your guests' experience and let customers know your restaurant is on the cutting edge of where food service is headed, check out our collection of UPLIFT flatware rests. Flatware rests offer:
#1 A clean, hygienic experience
#2 The sustainability of not over-replacing and over-washing utensils throughout a meal
#3 The multi-purpose utility of looking better, feeling better, and functioning better at the table
#4 An elevated and elegant customer experience which should become the new standard for place setting design
While UPLIFTS aren't plant-based ... they cover just about every other important trend for 2020!
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