Dennis Knows Food

In this special unedited episode of Dennis Knows Food we're talking about convenience foodservice and freshness to-go. When it comes to food from "c-stores" - even with convenience foodservice sales exceeding $34 billion dollars a year - negative consumer perceptions still exist around the category. Recent research has shown that there is plenty of room for continued innovation when it comes to foodservice in c-stores, and that putting quality first in certain areas can have a positive impact on food sales. October 1st saw the celebration of National Pumpkin Spice Day, so naturally, our foodie fact for the week is inspired by pumpkins! The first pumpkin pies were not as we know them today. Discover their humble pie beginning in this episode! Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website: www.DennisExpress.com. The article about algae as a food source [LINK] and the article about wild blueberry health benefits [LINK]. We look forward to your feedback, send an email to [email protected]! SaveSave

In this episode of Dennis Knows Food we’re sharing tips to help prepare your kitchen for the fall foodservice season. 

Foodservice operators take tremendous pride in their kitchens and equipment. Now that we’re through the hectic pace of the summer season now is a good time to clean equipment and ensure everything is in proper working order. And, if you’re looking for some fall-food inspiration we’ve assembled a list on our website featuring some of our favorite fall items. There’s even a section dedicated to all things pumpkin, with over a dozen different pumpkin related products.

This week saw the celebration of National Coffee Day on Friday Sept. 29th – and this week’s foodie fact is inspired by coffee. The first “what” was invented at The University of Cambridge to let people know if the coffee pot was full or not. Find out what it was in this episode!

Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website – www.DennisExpress.com. And our Fall Favorites at www.dennisexpress.com/fall-favorites.

We look forward to your feedback – email us at [email protected]!

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This weeks podcast photo comes from Chris Isherwood.

In this episode of Dennis Knows Food, we're cozying up to comfort!The foliage will soon start to change, and with that will come consumer cravings for comfort food. Creating signature dishes inspired by comfort food has been gaining momentum in recent years, and with autumn on the horizon it's the perfect time to start thinking about your unique comfort-inspired cuisine. On that same note, if you’re looking to add warmth and rich flavor to your menu, soups are a great way to do it. We're ladling up the latest on our soup lineup. This week saw the celebration of National Date-Nut Bread Day, and for this week’s foodie fact we’re asking – What’s a date? We most often use them in their dried form, but could you explain what dates are and where they come from? Find out in this episode! Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website - www.DennisExpress.com. And our line-up of soups at www.DennisExpress.com/soup. We look forward to your feedback, send an email to [email protected]!

In this episode of Dennis Knows Food, hungry diners want to know "What's new?" For operators, raising the awareness of new items through any available channel -- website, social media, in-house advertising or on the phone with customers -- can have several benefits; including satisfying regulars who want to try something new, add-on sale opportunities, and attracting new customers. If a customer wants to know what's new at your establishment, how available have you made that information for them? In this episode we're going straight to the source to discuss "what's new?" in foodservice. This week saw the celebration of National Cheeseburger Day, so for this week’s foodie fact, we’re asking… If all the burgers eaten by Americans in a single year were arranged in a straight line, how many times would it circle the Earth? Find out in this episode! Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website - www.DennisExpress.com. We look forward to your feedback, send an email to [email protected]!

Sometimes all it takes to be an innovator in small business is a willingness to not give up. In this inspirational episode of Dennis Knows Food, we're sharing the story of a country store operator who kept her business running, growing and adapting - one small innovation at a time - despite all of the changes and challenges that were thrown at it. You won't want to miss this one! So, connect your bluetooth devices, plug in your headphones and turn up the volume - it's story time! This week saw the celebration of National Trail Mix Day, and our foodie fact for the week is inspired by trail mix. What is trail mix called in Australia? Find out in this episode! Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website - www.DennisExpress.com. We look forward to your feedback, send an email to [email protected]!

Robots are coming, and they're bringing spatulas! This week saw the celebration of National Peach Pie Day, and our foodie fact for the week is inspired by peaches. We're doing something a little different with this week's fact, tune in to find out! In this episode we're discussing tips for success in your next marketing campaign. We'll explain why focusing on your target audience, using the right language, engaging potential customers at the right time - and in the right place can have an impact on the results you see. Australian researchers have made a potential breakthrough in the fight against deadly peanut allergies. And Google now has a computer capable of making the perfect chocolate chip cookie. These topics and more in this week's podcast! Ten new items have been added to our inventory this week. We'll share one that comes in several bakery-fresh varieties. You can always find more information our newest products on our website, including their item number, brand and pack size through the links below. Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website - www.DennisExpress.com. This weeks new products - 8/23/17. And Shaun Buck's article on Inc.com - "7 Ways to Foolproof Your Next Marketing Campaign." We look forward to your feedback, send an email to [email protected]!

It's Thursday, August 17th, and today is National Vanilla Custard Day! Our foodie fact is not inspired by vanilla custard, but rather by one of this week's new product additions, calamari. Find out where the word calamari comes from in this episode! In episode 26 of our podcast we'll be discussing five ways to boost fall sales. Autumn is a favorite time of year for many folks, and it's an ideal time to adjust your menu to capture new sales opportunities. We're also going to talk calamari, you'll find out where the name came from, how it's eaten around the world and learn about a sauce that pairs perfectly with it. The sauce we're talking about is "tarator," not to be confused with tartar sauce. Follow the link below to our Pinterest page to see the recipe. And on a humorous note we've got a short punny story to share with you. Fourteen new items have been added to our inventory this week. We'll share more about those in this episode. You can also find more information on these items, including their item number, brand and pack size through the link below. Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website - www.DennisExpress.com, and this weeks new products - https://www.dennisexpress.com/new-products-81617. Tarator Recipe: Tarator sauce is perfect for meats, and even better on pita sandwiches like shawarma. It is a universal sauce and can be used on veggies, seafood, beef, chicken, and lamb. https://www.pinterest.com/dennisknowsfood/lets-get-saucy/ Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) We look forward to your feedback, send an email to [email protected]!

It's Thursday, August 3rd, and today is National Watermelon Day! Our foodie fact is inspired by this Summer favorite. The United States is the world’s 4th largest producer of watermelon. How many pounds of watermelon are grown in the US each year? In this week’s podcast we’re picking up the phone – well, your customers are anyway. We’ll touch on the growing impact of smart phones on foodservice. We’re also taking a closer look at the psychology behind good menu design. There’s actual science behind getting customers to order and spend more. For example, did you know that alluding to past time periods can trigger happy memories of family, tradition, and nationalism?” One study says, “Customers sometimes like the feeling of tasting something wholesome and traditional.” Connecting emotionally with your food can draw out these happy and nostalgic memories resulting in more satisfied customers. Lastly, a slew of new items have been added to our inventory - sixteen to be exact, more about those in this week’s episode. You can also find more information on these items, including their item number and pack size through the link below. Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website - www.DennisExpress.com. This weeks new products - https://www.dennisexpress.com/new-products-8217. Our recipe for Smoked Pork Belly Sliders - https://www.dennisexpress.com/recipe-pork-belly-sliders. Blog Bonus: Perfect Pairings Drive Profits Two tastes are better than one. Suggesting food and beverage pairings can satisfy the 60% of consumers who are interested in pairings when dining out... Continue reading here: https://www.dennisexpress.com/perfect-pairings-drive-profits Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) We look forward to your feedback, send an email to [email protected]!

It's Friday, July 28th, and this is episode 24 of Dennis Knows Food! Our foodie fact is inspired by one of our new products additions this week. This week we have a 2-part question: Jennie-O was founded in what year, and today they produce how many different products? The answers at the end of this episode. Three new products have been added to our inventory this week. We’ve added fresh Tender Browned Turkey Breast from Jennie-O. In beef we’ve added Flat Iron Steaks from South Shore Meats. From McCain, Heavy-Battered French Fries feature a crispy textured batter with puffy and buttery potato insides. These fries serve up great taste with an unforgettable audible crunch. In this weeks episode we're diving into insights about how the demands of consumers are impacting menu development. We'll share how trends across multiple generations are shaping the direction of dining. We're also talking about a tender cut of beef. The second most tender in fact, Flat Iron steaks. We've posted a new recipe featuring flat iron steaks, which you access through the link below. Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website at www.DennisExpress.com. Our recipe for Flat Iron Steak with Peanut Sauce - https://www.dennisexpress.com/flat-iron-steaks-peanut-sauce/. Blog Bonus: A Guide for Beef Cuts in Foodservice https://www.dennisexpress.com/guide-beef-cuts-foodservice/. Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) We look forward to your feedback, send an email to [email protected]!

It's Friday, July 21st, and today is National Creme Brûlée Day! We're taking the theme for this week's foodie fact from Creme Brûlée - What was the estimated calorie count for the world's largest Creme Brûlée? The answer in this episode! This week we’ve added 6 new items to our inventory. Now in for produce we’ve added a premium Asian style stir fry medley. From the artisan bakery experts at Turano comes a new Brioche Burger Roll. We're adding more options to our line of Burger Maker beef patties with fresh 5/16″ thick 2.7oz patties. Lastly, in non-foods we’ve added 3 sizes of blue Nitrile gloves from Royal. In this podcast episode we're focusing on growing your takeout business. Earlier in the week I was on the road attending the IFDA Smart conference. There I was met, networked with and shared ideas among our industry partners and peers. Presenting were two keynote speakers who's messages had a important message in common - more about that in the podcast! I also met an individual who shared with me some tips he'd written for restaurants looking to "ramp up" their takeout business, those tips are at the heart of this week's episode. We've posted a blog inspired by those tips on our website, link below. Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website at www.DennisExpress.com. 7 Tactics for Takeout Sales Growth here - https://www.dennisexpress.com/7-takeout-tactics. And we've got a delicious burger recipe highlighting a great idea featuring our new Turano brioche rolls here - https://www.dennisexpress.com/pub-burger-brioche Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) We look forward to your feedback, send an email to [email protected]!