The Menu
Chefs take into account many factors when
they build a menu that leads to a top recipe.
- Consider local ingredients. Top recipes usually
are based on familiar
foods or dishes that customers grew up
with.
- Apply a personal touch to classic favorites by changing the method
of
preparation or some of the ingredients.
- Select quality products when incorporating popular ingredients,
from
bacon and miso to cheese and chiles.
- Try nightly specials or a limited-time approach to introduce a
new item
that has top-recipe potential. Such methods allow a favorite
dish to
gracefully exit the menu should ingredients become unavailable
or the
kitchen staff tire of making it.
- Take a seasonal tack to menu items by offering heartier dishes
during
colder months and lighter fare when weather warms.
- Use seasonal garnishes to update a best-seller.
- Do not substitute for an ingredient that becomes unavailable. A
dish is a
signature item because it is familiar and people know
what to expect.
- Check best-selling recipes as they come off the line to ensure
consistency.
- Keep the staff interested in signature items through wagers and
prizes,
such as rewarding employees for a set number of orders with
beverages
at the end of the shift.
