When you oversee foodservice operations in a retirement community, you understand the challenges of long-term care menu planning. Assisted living settings currently serve approximately 1 million senior residents, and that number grows every year. Your competition for their business is growing too.

Whether you run a small catering company or manage multiple operations, you’re always on the lookout for new strategies. We’re always impressed by the endless range of inventive catering ideas that come from every corner of the foodservice industry.

It takes a combination of cooking talent and hard work to make your catering business successful. The competition is usually friendly, but you’re always on the lookout for ways to stay ahead. One very good strategy is also very simple: Expand and upgrade your buffet station ideas.

You love to cook. Everything about food, prep and presentation fires your culinary creativity. You’ve always daydreamed about running a commercial kitchen that earns three Michelin stars.

Wherever they’re hungry, you’re there to serve. As you pitch a new menu at local sporting events or cater the latest festival, concessions put you front and center with crowds of potential customers. That’s always a good recipe for strong profits in a highly competitive industry.

What do pickles and baby iceberg lettuce have in common? They’re both served cold, they’re wonderfully crisp, and they are welcome regulars on summertime menus. Is it possible to create a fusion between these two familiar crunchy sides? The answer is definitely yes, and the outcome is deliciously different.

If you imagine all Brussels sprout smoothie recipes taste alike, get ready for some cool, fresh surprises. The little round sprout blends remarkable flavor into healthy drinks that serve up perfectly in all kinds of settings. It’s a very versatile vegetable, and it’s available year-round.

How many hours does your staff spend prepping stocks and braising liquids? How quickly can you add flavor complexity to specialty sauces and signature soups?

If you’re looking to trim time and labor costs, speed scratch cooking addresses these questions and more. It’s a value-added option that works in all types of foodservice operations, and it’s easy to implement in your commercial kitchen.