Waffle Wonderland:

Delightful Dishes for a Memorable Mother's Day Brunch

Maximizing efficiency while delivering exceptional culinary experiences is the key to managing the bustling energy of Mother's Day-one of the busiest days in a restaurant s calendar.

A delicious, time-saving suggestion that may work for your Mother's Day menu is pre-made Belgian waffles. They are more than just a time-saving convenience; they are the canvas for an array of unique and tantalizing toppings that will set your establishment apart. By using pre-made waffles, you significantly reduce preparation time and kitchen chaos, allowing your team to focus on crafting exquisite toppings and delivering impeccable service. Moreover, these waffles ensure consistency in both taste and presentation.

This Mother's Day, let these five waffle creations dazzle your clientele, leaving them with a memorable dining experience that they will fondly associate with your restaurant.

Rise n Shine Waffle Delight

For the traditional breakfast lovers, offer waffles topped with crispy bacon and a perfectly cooked over-easy egg. The rich, runny yolk adds an indulgent touch, turning a simple waffle into a hearty meal that will keep your guests fueled for their Mother's Day activities.

Seaside Brunch Waffle Delicacy

Elevate your brunch menu with this sophisticated take on the classic waffle. Start a layer of tangy cream cheese. Top with delicate slices of smoked salmon, adding a luxurious, smoky flavour that is irresistible. Add thin slices of avocado for taste and a pop of colour.

Banana Bliss Almond Crunch Waffles

A light and refreshing option, this dish combines the sweetness of bananas with the tanginess of yogurt and the crunch of almonds. It is a healthy, satisfying choice that caters to the health-conscious guests and those seeking a lighter brunch option.

Southern Charm Chicken Waffles

This Southern classic is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The combination of crispy fried chicken atop a waffle creates a delightful contrast of textures. Drizzled with a touch of honey or maple syrup, this dish offers a perfect balance of savoury and sweet.

Orchard Harvest Honey-Nut Waffles

For a sweet end to the brunch, serve waffles topped with baked apples, a sprinkle of crunchy nuts, and a drizzle of honey. This dessert-like dish adds a festive touch to the menu, and the comforting flavours are a fitting tribute to the comforting presence of mothers.

Game Day Grub:

How to Score Big with a Super Bowl Celebration

The Super Bowl is not only a major sporting event but also an opportunity for restaurants to attract customers during a traditionally slow sales period. By creating a special atmosphere and offering a unique menu, you can capitalize on the excitement and drive traffic to your restaurant.

1. Create a Festive Atmosphere:
Transform your restaurant into a football haven by decorating with team colours, banners, and balloons. Encourage staff and customers to wear jerseys or team gear to create a lively and engaging environment.

2. Offer Special Game-Day Promotions:
Promote drink specials such as beer buckets, cocktail pitchers, and themed cocktails named after famous football players.

3. Build Excitement with Pre-Game Activities:
Host pre-game events like trivia contests or raffles to engage customers before the big game starts. Offer prizes such as local game tickets or restaurant gift cards to create anticipation and encourage early arrivals.

4. Design a Super Bowl-Themed Menu:
Create a special menu featuring popular gameday foods such as sliders, nachos, wings, and loaded fries. Offer a variety of flavours and sauces to cater to different preferences. Don’t forget vegetarian and gluten-free options to accommodate all customers.

5. Game-Time Snack Platters:
Offer sharing platters filled with an assortment of snacks and treats. Include items like mini hot dogs, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, and potato skins. These platters are perfect for groups of friends who want to enjoy the game together.

6. Big Screen Viewing Experience:
Invest in large-screen TVs and ensure unobstructed viewing from every angle of your
restaurant. Enhance the audio by providing surround sound to replicate the feeling of being in a stadium.

7. Game Predictions and Prizes:
Engage your customers by hosting a game prediction contest. Ask guests to predict the final score, MVP, or other game-related outcomes. Offer prizes such as discounts, free
appetizers, or gift cards to those who make accurate predictions.

8. Social Media Promotion:
Utilize social media platforms to create buzz and spread the word about your Super Bowl event. Share enticing photos of your special menu items, post live updates during the game, and encourage customers to tag your restaurant in their posts.

Become a Winter Pro

Cascades PRO conducted a survey to find out what consumers expect in terms of hygiene and cleanliness in 2023. Now they are sharing the results and discoveries to help companies respond to their customers' needs.

While hand washing is important in every season, the recent survey reveals that good hygiene is considered more important during the infamous cold season. 

So how do you keep your washroom clean and comfortable during winter? We’ll give you all the tips and tricks you need to become a winter pro!

Cleanliness: a Sign of Trust

Being a winter pro means understanding users and their behavior during the winter season. The better we understand them, the better equipped we’ll be to meet their expectations and needs in terms of washroom hygiene. For example, 97% of people surveyed believe that washroom cleanliness reflects how much businesses care about their employees and clients.

So how can organizations demonstrate the importance they place on the cleanliness and comfort of their washrooms? By offering something that people closely associate with cleanliness. We're talking, of course, about paper towels. 

In fact, many of the survey results reveal why consumers prefer paper! 

Winter Pro, pro Good Habits

Winter is the season for chapped hands. Especially with the freezing temperatures drying them out, our hands could do with a little relief during these few months. Cascades PRO may not offer a moisturizer, but it does offer the solution for people who prefer to dry their hands with paper - 73% of those surveyed. 

Their Tandem line of dispensers makes paper dispensing easy with their No-Touch technology, perfect for those who have their hands full (hat, scarf, gloves, etc.) after washing. 

This interest in paper may be explained by the fact that 61% of people surveyed use paper towels to open the door when leaving public washrooms. As a result, people have a better chance of avoiding potential viruses that could be found on door handles. This explains why 58% of people surveyed believe that paper towels are even more hygienic than other drying options. 

The Washroom Environment

Though there is no doubt about their hygienic virtues, the environmental impact of paper towels can be a concern for users. Indeed, according to some popular beliefs, the use of paper in this situation would be harmful to the environment. That's why, as an environmental leader in the industry, Cascades makes sure that positive and always greener actions are put in place. 

For example, their dispensers are designed to avoid waste and more than 70% of  tissue products are made from 100% recycled fiber. This means that every consumer can leave the washroom with peace of mind. 

Whether it's a question of hygiene, good habits, values or environmental protection, Cascades PRO is a sustainable solution for time spent in the washroom. A solution that can be applied to all seasons!

Celebrate the Christmas Season with Gift Cards from Your Restaurant

If it is in fact true that it is better to give than receive, then gift cards must be at the top of a restaurateur’s wish list. These simple plastic cards could be an important marketing tool—and revenue generator—at this busiest of commercial periods on the calendar. Let’s explore why gift cards have become significant for restaurants’ success and why they make perfect presents for the upcoming Christmas holidays.

The Significance of Gift Cards

1. Flexibility for the customer: Gift cards provide recipients with the freedom to choose their dining experience. Whether it’s a cozy dinner for two or a family celebration, gift cards allow customers to enjoy a meal at their preferred time.
2. Boosting cash flow for restaurants: Selling gift cards injects immediate cash flow into a restaurant’s operations. This influx of funds can help cover expenses and support the restaurant during quieter periods.  We have found people will spend more on a gift card than they will on a gift. While they might buy a $50 present, they will likely raise the stakes and buy a $75 or even a $100 gift card at a restaurant.
3. Boost your slower season: Add yet another gift beneath the tree: if the cards are purchased as festive and holiday presents in the hustle-bustle of a busy December, the delay when people redeem them could prove to be a boon to the restaurateur who might see a bump in sales later in January and February when business is typically slower. Patrons often find themselves using the full amount of their gift card—and then some. Customers generally buy additional food and more expensive dishes than they might otherwise; compound that with the potential for increased sales of beverage alcohol, and the result can be some healthy extra revenue in winter’s gloomier months.
4. Increased brand exposure: When customers purchase gift cards for friends or family, they are essentially promoting the restaurant to new potential patrons. This word-of-mouth marketing can lead to increased foot traffic and loyal customers in the long run.

Special Offers and Unique Options

Several restaurants have gone the extra mile to make their gift cards even more enticing for customers. Some establishments offer exclusive discounts, complimentary items, or bonus gift cards with the purchase of a certain value. Here are a few examples to consider:

• [Restaurant A]: Purchase a $100 gift card and receive a complimentary appetizer on your next visit.
• [Restaurant B]: Buy a $50 gift card and receive an additional $10 bonus gift card.
• [Restaurant C]: Enjoy a 20% discount on all gift cards purchased online during the holiday season.

Remember, gift cards not only make wonderful presents but can also contribute to supporting local businesses.

A Beginner’s Guide to Shucking Oysters

Unlocking the Delicacy of the Sea

Oysters (Flanagan code 230081), with their unique briny flavour and delicate texture, have been considered a culinary delight for centuries. These bivalve mollusks offer a taste of the sea, with each variety possessing its own distinct characteristics. 

Tools You’ll Need:

• Oyster knife: A short, sturdy knife with a pointed tip and a thick blade (Flanagan code: 801611, Browne Oyster Knife).
• Cut-resistant glove: To protect your hand while shucking (Flanagan code: 807868, Extra Large Metal Mesh Glove/807865 Medium Metal Mesh Glove).
• Cutting board: A stable surface to work on.

Safety Precautions:

Shucking oysters requires a certain level of caution, follow these safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience:

• Secure the oyster firmly: Use the mesh glove to hold the oyster in place, ensuring it doesn’t slip during shucking.
• Protect your hand: Always keep your non-dominant hand behind your back in a secure position away from the knife’s path.
• Be gentle: Apply steady, controlled pressure instead of forceful motions to prevent injury.

Step-by-Step Guide to Shucking Oysters:

• Prepare your workspace: Lay a clean kitchen towel or damp cloth on the cutting board to stabilize the oysters and catch any liquid.
• Identify the hinge: The hinge is the pointed end of the oyster that connects the two shells.
• Insert the knife: Hold the oyster with the cupped side down, ensuring the hinge is facing you. Gently insert the tip of the oyster knife into the hinge, applying light pressure.
• Twist and pry: Wiggle the knife back and forth while applying downward pressure until you feel the hinge pop open.
• Sever the muscle: Once the hinge is open, slide the knife along the top shell to sever the muscle that connects the oyster to the shell.
• Remove the top shell: Carefully lift off the top shell, taking care not to spill any of the precious oyster liquor.
• Free the oyster: Slide the knife blade under the oyster to release it from the bottom shell, ensuring it remains intact.
• Serve and enjoy: Place the freshly shucked oysters on a bed of crushed ice or rock salt, and serve with traditional accompaniments like lemon wedges, mignonette sauce, or a dash of hot sauce.

Oysters for the Holiday Season:

Serving oysters during the holiday season can elevate dining experiences and add a touch of indulgence. Here are a few reasons why they make a fantastic addition to holiday menus:

• Festive demand: Oyster consumption increases significantly during the holiday season, making them a sought-after delicacy that can attract diners craving special culinary experiences.
• Symbolism and elegance: Oysters embody luxury, sophistication, and celebration. Their inclusion in holiday menus reflects opulence and adds a touch of elegance to any dining occasion.
• Versatility and creativity: Oysters offer endless possibilities for creative preparations and presentations. From classic Rockefeller or Kilpatrick variations to innovative ceviches and briny shooters, oysters can be adapted to suit a variety of taste preferences.

Plating Suggestions

Showcase the beauty and flavours of oysters at your holiday gatherings with these plating suggestions: 

• Classic Mignonette Oysters: Serve freshly shucked oysters on a bed of ice, accompanied by a tangy mignonette sauce made with shallots, vinegar, and cracked black pepper.
• Oyster Shooters: Combine freshly shucked oysters with a splash of vodka, tomato juice, horseradish, and a squeeze of lime for a refreshing and flavourful shooter.
• Oyster Rockefeller: Elevate the classic Rockefeller preparation by topping the oysters with a blend of spinach, bacon, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese, then broiling until golden and bubbling.

Remember, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned chef, shucking oysters is an art that requires practice and patience. So, grab your oyster knife, put on your shucking gloves, and embark on a culinary adventure into the world of these delectable bivalves.

Happy shucking and bon appétit!