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Reducing Stress in the Kitchen and Expanding Your Menu

With all of the curveballs thrown at foodservice operators in the last year—whether it be labor shortages, food safety concerns, or reduced traffic—one goal among operators has remained the same: back-of-house efficiencies. The less time and energy it takes for kitchens to respond to a customer’s desire, the better.

Some ways foodservice operations have found to maximize their back-of-house efficiencies are with easy-prep foods and speed-scratch meal ideas. This allows kitchen staff to fulfill more orders in less time and helps to lessen stress and increase flexibility to fulfill orders quickly with customizable, consistent, and flavorful meals.

In fact, 23% of operators are buying more pre-made products since Covid began with 90% being motivated by food safety when it comes to picking their prep-type.1 This is likely due to the fact that speed-scratch meal prep is both faster and is less likely to suffer from food safety issues. It also allows operators to ensure they’re not sacrificing quality or flavor on their menu.

“Leveraging the versatility of freezer-to-oven or fryer products allows Operators to cut down the product’s touchpoints and potential for cross-contamination, while drastically reducing the potential for waste. Advancements in processing and emphasis on cleaner, more recognizable ingredient statements mean Operators can feel confident using these conveniences to increase guest satisfaction while driving more profits to their bottom line.”

Shelf life and high purchase minimums also play a role. As operators have needed to order product less frequently, they’re more motivated to move toward products with longer shelf-life that will keep longer with extended time periods between orders. Speed-scratch ingredients can not only last longer but also take up less overall space in kitchens.

With all of these factors in mind, it’s no wonder that operators are looking at the possibilities that speed-scratch can bring to their kitchens. As we move further into 2021, it’s certainly something to consider when examining the different ways to increase efficiencies and boost customer satisfaction.

Content courtesy of High Liner Foods