Recipe Refresh: Making the Most Out of What You Have

As we continue to see supply chain shortages and businesses needing to carefully budget their expenses, it can be a bit daunting to constantly keep up with the trends as a caterer. So, what if we told you that you can take your current recipes and refresh them to meet the desires of your clients, all without overspending?

Here are a few things that you can do to make your fan-favorites look brand new without breaking the bank.

Reducing food waste

While reducing food waste doesn’t necessarily seem like a creative solution, it does allow you to get creative with every part of your ingredient. For example, when you chop up vegetables for a dish, you often throw away the less-savory parts – the roots, the stems, the ends. However, those portions of fruits and veggies can be used for a number of things, including stocks, gravies, or blended sauces. 

Throwing away food is essentially throwing away money for caterers. When you can utilize every part of an ingredient and give it a second life, therein lies your ability to get creative with your recipe by adding a sauce or garnish that breathes new life into your menu. 

How you can save on secondary ingredients

There’s a common misconception that a meal is only compromised of protein and side items such as vegetables. In fact, the secondary ingredients such as grains, spices, broths, and dressings play roles as well. 

However, that isn’t to say that you have to splurge on these items. Keep your focus on the proteins and side dishes and maintain their premium quality and consider finding alternatives to save money when it comes to those secondary items. 

Exploring new brands

As caterers, we want to stay ahead of what’s new and even scope out existing brands that are on the market. At the end of the day, lower cost does not necessarily equate to lesser quality – in fact, some lower cost brands could be of the same quality or even better suited for your menu’s needs.

Now, how do you approach incorporating or testing out new brands? Rather than placing a bulk order, purchase a small quantity of the new brand and run some trials with it. See how well it replaces what you already use – in some cases, it’s better to break the mold with a new brand than throwing out a recipe altogether and starting from scratch. 

Don’t be afraid to explore your current offerings to see what adjustments can be made. A lot of times we want new beginnings, but the answer is often in refreshing our existing recipes to start with. Bringing new nuances can give you a new perspective for upcoming events!

Clint Elkins is the V.P. of Sales for SB Value, a Group Purchasing Organization that helps culinary professionals save an average of 16% on every food order. Membership is 100% free. No hidden fees. No extra work. Just extra profits. See how much you can save on your next food order when you become an SB Value member. Request a quote today.