There are different types of food service businesses. Some of them specialize in a specific cuisine, while others focus on fast food meals. However, there are some universal restaurant recipes that can be found in different types of eateries. Just like initial menu design and engineering, introducing new recipes should be done carefully. Nowadays, restaurant managers can find new recipes to introduce easily. However, recipes found online or in recipe books need to be tested, improved, and perfected before being added to the menu. Furthermore, waiters need to be trained (read more about restaurant training programs) about suitable pairings and how to upsell new restaurant recipes. In this post, we’ll share more about recipe management for restaurants and how food service businesses can find and introduce new menu items. If you’re interested in the restaurant industry, make sure to read our post on restaurant tipping.
Key takeaway: Restaurant managers usually search for recipes on specialized and professional websites. Certain ideas can be found on online forums and databases. Introducing a new menu item should be done after careful analysis and feedback from staff members and customers.
Where to Find Restaurant Recipes
A lot of people search for recipes online. However, restaurants need to look for new menu items from more professional sources. Let’s examine some of the top places where chefs and managers can find new restaurant recipes.
- Culinary schools and other professional organizations. Professional culinary schools like the Culinary Institute of America offer multiple resources for students and chefs. That includes not only recipes but also information on restaurant-level techniques. Some organizations might focus on specific dish categories or cuisines, while others have a broad approach.
- Online restaurant recipe databases. Chefs can find multiple recipe ideas in databases created by the Food Network or Epicurious. Recipe websites can also be used to gather ideas and brainstorm for new menu items.
- Forums. Facebook groups, subreddits, and professional forums like ChefTalk are excellent places to get ideas for recipes. Furthermore, users also help each other with optimizing back-of-house processes or sharing their thoughts on innovative restaurant technology.
- Software platforms. Solutions like BlueCart, Toast, and xtraCHEF have dramatically changed the food service sector. They are not only among the hot restaurant technology trends but can also help chefs with recipe ideas.
- Collaborations. Influencer marketing has become a trend in the restaurant sector. Some chefs might partner with celebrities and influencers and include signature dishes in their menu that are a result of this collaboration.
Introducing New Restaurant Recipes
Food service businesses should regularly update their menus. The easiest way to do so is by having QR codes for restaurant menus. This reduces the cost of printing new menus every time new restaurant recipes are introduced or prices are changed.
Managers and business owners in the food service sector should introduce new dishes after careful research and analysis of food trends. Make sure to identify customer preferences and introduce new menu items that will make the menu more complete. Also, analyze sales in order to remove dishes that perform poorly. Currently, a growing number of customers look for sustainable dishes in eco-friendly restaurants. However, trends are dynamic and might change. Before adding the dish to the menu, test it among staff members and try to improve the recipe. A dish can be tested among real customers if it’s offered as a daily special.
Ingredient and labor costs should be calculated before adding a dish to the menu. This allows the business to properly price the item. Furthermore, chefs and waiters need to be fully aware of new menu items, what beverages they can be combined with, and what allergens they contain. Once the dish is added to the menu, use it as part of the restaurant's marketing efforts. Exotic or Instagrammable meals can help with restaurant customer acquisition and increase the brand awareness of a food service business. Gathering POS information about on-premise sales, online orders, and feedback can help restaurant managers evaluate the performance of each new and old dish.
Restaurant Recipe Management
Managing restaurant recipes is a process that’s common for restaurants of any size. Small and medium eateries usually do it on spreadsheets or free software solutions. On the other hand, restaurant chains or large establishments might use premium software. Thanks to proper recipe management, restaurants can calculate profit margins and reduce costs. During a period of economic recession and restaurant inflation, recipe management can help food service businesses change their prices optimally.
Thanks to restaurant recipe management, businesses can track ingredients and limit restaurant fraud. Enhancing consistency is another important aspect of managing restaurant recipes. That’s especially true for large chains with established dishes and recipes loved by millions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Restaurant Recipes
Throughout the years, BlueCart has been a reliable source of information in multiple niche markets. From guides on wholesale restaurant supplies to tips about selling restaurant merchandise or increasing B2B sales, you’ll find plenty of resources on our website. Check out our answers to common questions regarding restaurant recipes.
Can You Copycat Restaurant Recipes?
Many people try to copy their favorite restaurant recipes. That might be fairly simple for common dishes such as salads or appetizers, but it’s much harder for complex main course meals. The hardest part of copying a restaurant recipe is knowing the right seasoning ingredients. Most people who copy restaurant recipes are diners who really enjoy a particular dish and want to make it at home. However, some restaurants might also introduce dishes that are very similar to their competitors’ menus. Finding the same recipe is not enough. Restaurant success also depends on a quality atmosphere and excellent customer service.
What Are the Most Popular US Restaurant Recipes?
The items in a restaurant’s menu depend a lot on its style. Nevertheless, there are some options that are universally loved across all of America. Cheeseburgers, steak, pizza, and fried chicken are excellent examples of such dishes. As the US has welcomed people from all over the world, international dishes like sushi, tacos, and pad thai are also among the most popular restaurant recipes. When it comes to salads, Caesar and Cobb salads are very common menu items. Mozzarella sticks and buffalo wings are among the popular restaurant and catering offerings. Cheesecakes, apple pies, and brownies are among the common restaurant dessert recipes.
What Are Easy Restaurant Recipes to Try at Home?
Home cooks can easily replicate various restaurant recipes. For example, a chicken quesadilla can be made with only four ingredients: tortilla, cheese, peppers, and cooked chicken meat. A cheeseburger and a club sandwich are other examples of delicious meals that are often found on restaurant menus but can be prepared at home as well. Mozzarella sticks, tuna poke bowl, spaghetti carbonara, and different types of pizza are also fairly easy restaurant recipes to replicate.
BlueCart: The Reliable Software for Restaurants and Distributors
Our SaaS platform allows wholesalers and food service businesses to automate various tasks and processes. Specialized and broadline distributors can use BlueCart’s marketplace to increase their wholesale sales or use its features to manage bulk orders and plan deliveries. Retailers and restaurant businesses can use our platform to easily compare prices and find vendors in different fields. Sign up for BlueCart as a restaurant or schedule a demo and see how our wholesale ordering software can help your wholesale distribution business.