Breakfast is an important meal for everyone. However, some traditional American fare can be high in carbohydrates and other fats, undermining nutrition while providing fuel for the day. However, those working in healthcare food service can turn to ethnic cuisine for a potential solution to this problem.
Embrace the variety
Food giant, Campbell’s recently released a survey on growing food trends, which included an interest in global cuisine, especially that of Brazil. The vice president of of Campbell’s Culinary and Baking Institute, Thomas Griffiths, CMC, pointed out the nation’s expanding tastes in the press release.
“We see Americans being more adventurous with their food choices – bolder burgers, new takes on pastrami and other old-world Jewish deli favorites and beverage-inspired flavors,” stated Griffiths. “As chefs and bakers, we are naturally inspired by emerging niche food trends that help keep us creative in the kitchen. What fascinates us at Campbell is how these trends have their own lifecycle, from emerging taste discoveries in South America to Japanese-inspired burgers popping up in middle-America restaurants.”
It’s important for all food services to keep up with consumer trends. For hospital food service, there’s the additional responsibility of making sure that the meals are healthy. Anthony Kveragas, the chef and manager at Cornell University recognized that health-conscious students were avoiding unhealthy American breakfasts and decided to expand the dining hall’s culinary tastes to a global level.
“Adding ethnic variety to our regular breakfast lineup takes minimal effort, lowers our costs, raises customer satisfaction and it’s healthier – win, win, win, win,” Kveragas said in an article published in Food Service Director. “Students are interested in exploring by nature, and I enjoy providing them the opportunity of eating more diversely and healthier.”
If you’re considering taking up some ethnic breakfast fare recipes, do some research to find some easy recipes for kitchen staff to try. Kveragas also worked with foreign students to gain a better understanding of the cuisine. Likewise, your staff could approach hospital staff outside of the kitchens for advice, and perhaps even patients. Not only will your workers learn more about the dishes, it will also increase your kitchen’s outreach.
Exploring ethnic cuisines will allow your cooks to produce healthier, more exciting dishes. The variety will ensure that breakfast time never becomes boring or repetitive.