How to incorporate their flavours into your menu

As foodservice operators, you're always looking to create a menu that excites, attracts, and satisfies customers.

With the rise of foodie culture and international influences, diners expect more diverse and flavourful offerings than ever. So, how do you stay ahead while meeting your customers' cravings? Let’s look at three of Australia’s most popular and trend-setting cuisines—Italian, American fast food, and Middle Eastern—and how you can easily bring their flavours into your menu.

1. Italian: Authentic with a Twist 

Italian cuisine continues to be a staple in Australia because it brings together hearty comfort food with a sense of tradition. Think classic pizzas, pasta dishes, and freshly baked breads. But even classics can evolve to be more profitable, more time efficient, or more delicious. 

Incorporate It: 

• Pizza, Reimagined: Consider using a pre-made pizza base like the Speedibake 12” Pizza Base to save your kitchen staff time. Create gourmet toppings with local produce—think truffle oil, heirloom tomatoes, or wood-smoked meats. Or, embrace Italy’s trend towards simplicity with a minimalist Margherita that lets quality ingredients shine. 

• Garlic Bread with a Difference: Take your garlic bread to the next level by using Australian Garlic Bread Co Sourdough Garlic Bread with double the garlic when compared to the AGB 9” garlic sub. You can even create a fresh modern bruschetta with burrata and peaches.

2. American Fast Food: Comfort with a Creative Edge 

American cuisine, particularly fast food, is hugely popular due to its indulgent, bold flavours. Burgers, fried chicken, and loaded fries bring comfort, but today’s diners expect a more creative approach. 

Incorporate It: 

• Crowd Pleasing Burgers: Elevate your burger game, and open up your offering to more of the population, by serving them on the Tip Top Potato Bun. It’s vegan, so you can use the same bun across all your burgers, without the need to buy multiple products. Similarly, consider thinking beyond beef—offer pulled pork, crispy fried chicken, or plant-based patties with inventive toppings like jalapeño slaw or kimchi pickles. 

• Loaded Sandwiches: American-inspired sandwiches like a patty melt or an indulgent Reuben can appeal to the crowd that craves something hearty. Using the Speedibake range of sharing loaves, from hand shaped sourdough loaves to rustic ciabatta, can help create a great foundation for these crowd-pleasers.
  
  

3. Middle Eastern: A Taste Adventure 

Middle Eastern flavours have exploded in popularity, offering a blend of spices, freshness, and shared dining experiences. It’s about bold spices, fresh ingredients, and an array of textures. 

Incorporate It: 

• Flatbreads & Mezze: Use flatbreads or pita bases to serve up Middle Eastern mezze platters. Think hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, and grilled halloumi with a scattering of pomegranate seeds for colour and freshness. 

• Spiced Sharing Loaves: Speedibake’s sharing loaves can also be a great addition to a Middle Eastern-inspired banquet. Serve with sides of za'atar, dukkah, or garlic and lemon yoghurt for dipping. It’s perfect for communal dining and adds an interactive element to the meal. 

Bringing It All Together 

Incorporating these flavour trends into your menu doesn’t mean reinventing your entire offering. Sometimes, it’s about tweaking what you already do or introducing small, impactful changes. By blending the approachable comfort of Italian, the bold creativity of American fast food, and the adventurous flavours of the Middle East, you’ll create a menu that resonates with a wide range of customers, and keeps them coming back for more. 

Tip Top Foodservice offers a range of high-quality bakery products that can serve as the foundation for these cuisines, giving you the flexibility to elevate your offerings easily and consistently. 

5^th November 2024