(This sponsored article by Libbey® originally appeared in the May 2018 issue of Entrepreneurial Chef Magazine)
Whether breaking the rules entirely, or reinventing tradition with a new twist, spring is a great time to shake up what you’re serving guests – keeping them coming back for more. Here are six fresh ideas to bring something new to your tabletop.
MIX IT UP
Adding in just a few new elements to your existing tableware collection could introduce a dramatically different look. Appetizers, shared plates, desserts and chef’s specials are all great opportunities to mix in some trend-forward stunners to your standard tableware lineup. Libbey’s extensive and growing dinnerware selection provides vibrant new colors, shapes and textures that are made to mix and match for virtually endless combinations.
TAP INTO THE TACTILE
Enticing guests through all the senses, including the tactile, is another way to add something new to the experience. More people are open to trying food and drink with unusual textures, according to Mintel’s 2018 Global Food & Drink Trends. You can also put guests in touch with a richer sensory experience with your flatware. It might not register consciously for guests, but its feel, weight and design is one of their first impressions at your table.
SERVE A BRIGHT TAKE ON FRESHNESS
According to a Nielsen Global Health and Wellness Survey, 32% of Millennials and 21% of Boomers said they’d pay a premium for “healthier” products like natural and minimally processed foods. At the same time, they want a balance of health and indulgence. The right tableware – especially clean, minimalist designs – helps show off the vibrant colors of your healthy ingredients, even when used in more decadent choices. Make them the star on Libbey’s brightest-ever white porcelain, Constellation™ dinnerware.
With endless mix-and-match potential, Universal Accessories and versatility for any occasion, it’s the brightest choice in white dinnerware. It’s also the only dinnerware featuring Microban® technology that inhibits odor- and stain-causing bacteria. Simply put, the freshest experience.
QUENCH THE IMAGINATION WITH A WATER SERVICE UPGRADE
The standard water service is an often-overlooked opportunity to stand out and impress. Show guests you care about every detail by selecting upscale glassware alternatives to elevate the experience. Stemless glasses, goblets or even smaller stemmed wine glasses are a great way to add a new level of sophistication.
INFUSE NEW PROFIT OPPORTUNITY
With a booming demand for high-quality tea, the timeless drink is a rising star of the tabletop. It’s also a hot moneymaker. A premium selection allows operators to easily charge $10 to $15 per cup, and some chefs say they’ve seen it create up to a 400% increase in tea sales.
Accompanying your quality loose-leaf teas with elevated table-side presentations further enhances perceived value. Libbey’s extensive collections of hot beverage products let you create a dramatic presentation that will sell itself from across the room.
LET’S TAKE THIS OUTSIDE
Guests are looking for more flexibility on when, where and how they dine. Serve guests wherever they want to go with durable, beautiful new go-anywhere products. Offering al fresco dining can increase your restaurant’s total revenue by up to 30 percent, according to a study from the Simons Advisory Group.
New melamine, premium plastic and aluminum serveware options from Libbey give the superior durability needed for outdoor or high-volume environments, along with lighter weight that makes them easier for staff to carry. The best part? They look like real porcelain and glass, letting you mix it in as needed and still have a consistent look.
GET THE FULL SCOOP
To explore more ways that Libbey’s fresh tabletop solutions help you turn today’s trends into amazing guest experiences and big profits, visit Libbey at NRA booth #3101 South Hall, May 19–22, McCormick Place, Chicago. You can also ask your Libbey sales representative after May 22 for a copy of our new 2018 product introduction LookBook for more inspiration, or visit foodservice.libbey.com
