Savvy menus: Choosing trending ingredients for healthy profit margins

How do you know which flavors and ingredients are right for your menu?

This is a key question that operators struggle to answer. The correct solution can keep your menu fresh and appealing to your customers.

Entegra’s culinary procurement pros share their top ideas for staying relevant when it comes to modifying your menu for 2024:

Stay up to date on culinary trends
To create a menu that aligns with trending tastes, restaurant operators and chefs should stay informed about the latest culinary trends. Follow food blogs, attend industry events, and keep an eye on social media to identify emerging ingredients and flavor profiles. Check out the Trends 2024 report with Entegra’s insights on what customers want most in the new year (spoiler alert: calming phytochemical-rich dishes are appearing on menus).

Create signature dishes
Develop signature dishes that prominently feature trending ingredients. This not only helps in marketing those specific dishes but also allows the restaurant to differentiate itself from competitors. A well-crafted signature dish can become a customer favorite and a consistent revenue generator. The culinary services offered through the Entegra Performance Kitchen give operators the opportunity to work with culinarians on everything from product selection to menu creation.

Highlight health and wellness
Given the growing focus on wellbeing, consider trending ingredients that align with healthier dining choices. Superfoods, plant-based options and ingredients with specific nutritional benefits top the list. Promoting the health aspects of certain dishes can attract nutrition-conscious customers.

Create clean cocktails
Alcohol free has gone high-end. With zero-proof “liquor” and unique mixers, you can craft unique and memorable clean cocktails. These drinks are all the craze with customers who pay as much as they do for the boozy-beverage equivalents. Buy ingredients with SKU rationalization in mind Opt for ingredients that offer versatility in their applications, so that you’re buying fewer SKUs. A single trending ingredient can be incorporated into multiple dishes, reducing waste and increasing the overall efficiency of your kitchen. This versatility contributes to maintaining positive profit margins. Think lavender-garnished cocktails and lavender-infused ice cream.

Evaluate cost and availability
Before jumping on the bandwagon of a trendy ingredient, it's crucial to assess its cost and availability. Some trendy ingredients might come with a hefty price tag or face supply chain challenges. Consider local sourcing options as an alternate solution for your business’s needs. Trending ingredients from local suppliers can enhance your brand image and attract environmentally conscious consumers who reward brands that showcase their commitment to sustainability.

Monitor customer feedback
Actively seek and monitor customer feedback to understand which menu items featuring trending ingredients are well-received. This ongoing evaluation allows for adjustments to the menu, ensuring that it remains in tune with customer preferences.

Before adding a new menu item, be sure you can execute it well, that it makes business sense and is aligned with your concept. By carefully selecting and incorporating these ingredients into a well-balanced menu, restaurateurs can create an enticing dining experience that keeps customers coming back for more, all while ensuring the financial success of the establishment.

Get a complete list of trend-based ideas from our latest white paper Succeed in 2024: Top trends for hospitality-driven businesses.