Elevate Your Cooking: Top Tips for Premium Oils & Fats

We've collaborated with the team at Saporito Foods to help you elevate your cooking, frying, and baking techniques. In this post, we’ll share valuable tips and tricks on how to effectively use and maintain these products in your kitchen.

Understanding the Products + Uses

Liquid Fry Shortening 16L Pail (Product number: 460145)

Specially Designed for Deep Frying: This product is produced without partially hydrogenated oils, making it perfect for deep frying. It maintains stability at high temperatures, ensuring your fried foods come out crispy and delicious.

Usage Tip: Ideal for commercial deep fryers. Regularly filter the oil to extend its life and maintain food quality.

Canola Oil 16L Pail (Product number: 448271)

Low Saturated Fat Content: Canola oil contains the lowest level of saturated fatty acids among vegetable oils, making it a healthier option for various cooking methods.

Usage Tip: Perfect for sautéing, stir-frying, baking, and as a base for salad dressings. Store in a cool, dark place to preserve its quality.

Soya Margarine Yellow 13kg (Product number: 210341)

Great Flavour and Smooth Texture: Made from a blend of non-hydrogenated soya and vegetable oils, this margarine offers a cost-competitive formula without compromising on taste and texture.

Usage Tip: Excellent for baking and spreading. Ensure it is kept refrigerated to maintain its consistency and flavour.

Total Beef® Deep Fry Shortening 20kg (Product number: 460257)

Non-Hydrogenated Frying Shortening: Ideal for deep-frying French fries, poultry, and finger foods. This product ensures a crisp exterior while keeping the inside tender.

Usage Tip: Regularly monitor the temperature of your fryer to avoid overheating, which can break down the shortening and affect the taste of your food.

 Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

1. Regular Filtration: For oils used in deep frying, it's crucial to filter the oil daily. This removes food particles and extends the oil's usability.

2. Proper Storage: Always store oils and shortenings in a cool, dark place to prevent them from going rancid. Margarine should be kept refrigerated.

3. Monitoring Usage: Keep track of how many times you've used the oil. As a general rule, replace frying oil after 8-10 uses or when it starts to smoke at lower temperatures than usual.

4. Temperature Control: Maintain proper frying temperatures (typically around 350°F to 375°F). Overheating can degrade the oil faster and affect the quality of your food.

Why Choose Saporito Foods?

Saporito Foods is your trusted supplier for healthy, trans fat-free, premium quality oils, shortenings, and margarines. We pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive range of competitively priced, high-quality products, including canola oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, vegetable oil, blended oils, shortenings, and margarines suitable for both retail and food service markets. Whether you are cooking, frying, or baking, we have the right product to meet your needs.

For more information and to explore our full product range, visit  www.saporitofoods.com.

Good Leaf, Good Greens

Chefs have always used microgreens as a beautiful finishing touch to garnish their final dish, but did you know that microgreens can add benefits beyond their stunning looks?

GoodLeaf Farms is revolutionizing the way that microgreens are grown and taste through the powers of vertical farming. This innovative way of farming allows for these gorgeous greens to be grown in Ontario year-round, so you never have to worry about seasonality or availability. Their highly specialized growing methods and controlled environments allow for their microgreens to produce intense, delicious flavours that can be used to add to meals and used in creative ways. One of the standout features of Good Leaf products is that they are never touched by pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or even human hands until they reach their final destination. This commitment to "Pure" farming ensures the utmost purity and quality.

Here's 4 Ways Chefs can use Microgreens for more than just a Garnish:

1. Swap the Lettuce for Microgreens: Using our Kick'n Micro Mustard on a Burger or Sandwich creates an intense mustardy flavour without the sauce, while still providing all the freshness of traditional lettuce. 
2. Use as an Alternative to Herbs: Swap in Intensely Arugula Micros instead of basil in pesto to give a uniquely nutty and pepper twist. Zesty Micro Radish also makes a delicious addition to chimichurri adding zip and zest (as well as a bright purple colour) to this classic sauce!
3. Elevate customers dining experience: Adding Baby Arugula to pizza isn't new - but no one like to take a bite and had this green pull off all at once. Elevate your customers experience by swapping this for Micro Arugula. The much smaller, more delicate leaves mean a kick of peppery arugula in every bite!"
4. Add Spice to any Dish: Use the Zesty Micro Radish as a staple ingredient to tacos to add an extra hit of spice; or mix in Kick'n Micro Mustard to Rice or Quinoa for some extra flavour (no chopping required)!

No matter the dish, GoodLeaf nutrient-dense microgreens are a simple and creative way for chefs to add flavours and colours to increase customers’ dining experience!"

2024 Food Show Product Review

The 2024 food show was our best yet! There was so much energy in the building, we are so grateful that our customers, suppliers and employees put so much effort to make the day as wonderful as it was. If you weren’t able to come, here were some of our favourite products of the day:

With hundreds of innovative products to see and an array of delicious samples to taste, the Flanagan Show truly showcased the best of what the food industry has to offer. For those who couldn't make it this year, we missed having you with us and sincerely hope you'll be able to join the excitement next time. I may be biased (okay, I am definitely biased), but the Flanagan Show stands unrivaled as the premier foodshow in Ontario. Here's to hoping we see you next year!

SEO Basics for Restaurants: A No-Nonsense Guide to Boost Your Online Presence

In the digital age, a restaurant’s success doesn't just depend on the quality of its food but also on its online visibility. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a key ingredient in your marketing strategy, enhancing your online presence and ensuring that hungry diners find their way to you. Whether you're a new restaurant owner looking to establish an online presence or a seasoned pro aiming to revamp your SEO efforts, understanding these basics can significantly impact your online success.

Local Keyword Research Is Your Best Friend

First things first, identify and utilize local keywords that potential customers are likely to use when searching for a place to eat. You're not just a restaurant; you're a local business that serves a specific community. Incorporate local terms such as your city, neighbourhood, or nearby landmarks into your website's content. For example, if you run a pizza restaurant in Whitby, it makes sense to include keywords like "Whitby pizza," "best pizza in Whitby," and "pizza delivery near [local landmark]."

Optimize Your Menu for Search Engines

Your menu is not just a list of dishes; it's a goldmine of keywords waiting to be discovered by search engines. When creating your online menu, ensure each item has a descriptive title with common keywords related to the dish. If you serve a unique dish not often found elsewhere, be sure to include that in your menu, too. Search engines love unique and specific content.

Local SEO Directories and Citations

Consistency in online listings across different platforms significantly impacts your restaurant's search rankings. Ensure that your business’ Name, Address, and Phone Number (N.A.P.) is consistent across all listings and directories. Explore local SEO directories like Google My Business, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. Regularly update this information, and don’t forget to add photos and keep your business hours current to stay relevant.

Leverage Customer Reviews for SEO Impact

Encourage reviews on Google My Business, Yelp, and other platforms to boost your online credibility. Positive reviews signal to search engines that your restaurant is popular and business worth promoting. Be sure to respond to reviews—both the positive and the less so—to show that you value customer feedback (Google, the most popular search engine, recommends responding to reviews to improve your local SEO).

Mobile Optimization is Non-Negotiable

In a world where mobile searches often surpass desktop, a mobile-friendly website is essential for SEO success. Mobile optimization ensures that visitors have a pleasant experience, which is a factor in Google's ranking algorithm. It's also important for users to find your restaurant easily on their phones, especially when they’re out and about looking for a place to eat. Do you need help with your website? Brand Points Plus members can use points to offset this cost plus get a discount. If you're not a member of Brand Points Plus click here.

Promote Local Events and Offers on Your Site

If your restaurant hosts events or has special offers, create web pages dedicated to these topics, and optimize them using local keywords. This can attract visitors looking for something to do or a good deal in your area.

On-Page SEO Tactics for Your Website

Once you have your local keyword and content strategy sorted, focus on traditional on-page SEO tactics:

Meta Titles and Descriptions: Craft compelling meta titles and descriptions that include local keywords and entice click-throughs from potential diners.

Header and Content Tags: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags to structure your content properly. Include keywords in these headers and throughout your content but remember, keep it natural.

Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is key. Write blog posts about local food trends, behind-the-scenes looks at your restaurant, or staff profiles, all while integrating those local keywords.

Page Load Speed: Ensure your site loads quickly on desktop and mobile devices. Search engines like Google prioritize sites that provide a good user experience.

Internal Linking: Link related pages of your website together. For example, if you have a blog post about the best brunch spots in the area, link to your brunch menu. This not only helps with navigation but also improves SEO.

SEO may seem daunting but breaking it down into actionable tasks makes it more manageable, and most importantly, effective. You don’t need to reach for perfection, instead reach for progress. Happy optimizing!

Weathering the Storm: Keeping Your Restaurant Profitable in Times of High Inflation

Inflation can be a challenging period for any business, but restaurants face unique and intensified pressures. With ingredient prices on the rise and consumers tightening their belts, staying afloat can seem like an uphill battle. Yet, even during these tough times, there are strategies that can help your restaurant not only survive but thrive.

Menu Engineering

One of the most direct impacts of inflation on a restaurant business is through the costs of ingredients. To manage this, consider menu engineering (Members of Brand Points PLUS, you'll enjoy a 25% discount on your Navi Cost Control subscription. If you're not a member of Brand Points PLUS, click here).

Menu Engineering in Practice

• Regularly evaluate item profitability and sales performance.
• Alter portion sizes without sacrificing perceived value.
• Rebalance your menu by introducing or highlighting more profitable items.

Maximizing Operational Efficiency

In times of high inflation, trimming the fat from your operation is more than a saying—it's a necessity. Focus on maximizing efficiencies:

Streamline Workflows

• Map out your kitchen processes and identify any bottlenecks.
• Cross-train your staff to be more adaptable.
• Invest in time-saving equipment where your needs align with available technologies.

Optimize Inventory

• Reduce food waste by implementing stringent inventory management practices.
• Work closely with suppliers on forecasting and ordering only what you need.
• Explore non-perishable or longer shelf-life options for certain ingredients.

Creative Marketing and Cross-Promotion

When every dollar counts, your marketing efforts must be strategic and effective:

• Share the stories behind your dishes, the local sourcing, and your commitment to quality.
• Leverage social media to create engaging content that resonates with your community. Encourage your guests to post pictures and tag yout restaurant for a chance to win a free appetizer.
• Offer behind-the-scenes tours, cooking classes, or chef's tables for an exclusive experience.
• Partner with local businesses for cross-promotions and events.

Diversify Revenue Streams

It's unwise to rely solely on dine-in sales. Diversify your revenue streams to spread the risk:

• Promote take out and delivery (ensure your menu is priced accordingly if using third party delivery apps).
• Create meal kits for customers who want a restaurant experience at home.

Catering and Private Events

• Market your restaurant as a venue for private events, like weddings, birthday parties or corporate gatherings.
• Offer off-site catering services to capture a different market segment.
• Create specialized menus for large party sizes or specific dietary needs.

Technology Upgrades Without the Hefty Price Tag

• Optimize your website for mobile and search engine performance.
• Keep your reservation and point-of-sale systems up to date to streamline operations.

Prioritizing Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty

Happy customers are the lifeblood of any restaurant, especially during tough economic times. Focus on building and maintaining loyalty:

• Regularly train your staff to provide top-notch service.
• Implement customer feedback systems and act on the responses.
• Create personalized experiences for your regulars to make them feel truly appreciated.

Remember that every journey begins with a single step, and every successful business has faced and overcome challenges. Consider these recommendations as a roadmap, and tailor them to your unique circumstances. With determination, creativity, and a dash of innovation, your restaurant can weather the storm of high inflation and remain a culinary delight for your guests.