Food Trends 2020 – Make Your Business A Success
It’s that time of year again where we take a look back on the food trends of last year and what will be up and coming in 2020. Are you feeling uninspired or just in the mood to shake up your catering business?
If you are new to Tasty Trotter or in need of any extras for the coming season, be sure to check out our fantastic Hog Roast Ovens For Sale or to pick up any Essential Spares before Spring arrives.
Once you are armed with your new equipment – read on to find out what you should be doing to encourage customers to choose your business this year. Whether it be for weddings, events or the ever growing Street Food trend, we want YOUR business to stand out from the crowd…
Home Grown
This growing *pun intended* trend is a key element of what to expect in 2020. As more companies and individual caterers take environmental impact into account, growing your own fruit and veg is an obvious route to take. Not only will it save you on cost and waste, it is a great talking point when serving your food to customers. If you can show that you nurtured your food from seed to plate, you can be sure that it will spark interest and encourage return. Don’t be afraid of trying new things and if you don’t have the natural green-fingers trait – start small! A herb garden to spice up your steaks and sausages is a great way to get you in the groove.
Food Hall Frenzy
These giant halls lined by street food vendors are popping up all over London and are destined to spread across other cities in the U.K and beyond. For those starting their own business as well as for you pro caterers – this is a trend you MUST take advantage of. Start by thinking about what you can offer that sets you apart from the crowd… What do you do best? Are your Yorkshire pudding wraps out of this world? Can you make the perfect pizza in no time at all? Unique, quick and delicious is the new way of thinking and getting a spot at your local food hall may be just the thing to get your business booming. Be sure to speak to your local council about any permits required.
Plant Food Galore
Veganuary, Flexitarianism (It’s ok, we can’t say it either) and other planet-saving diets are the trends that just won’t quit in 2020 and we’re here to tell you that you should not be ignoring them. With big supermarkets introducing new veggie ranges left and right as well as popular restaurants swapping out for meat-free alternatives, finding a way to incorporate plant based options into your business is essential. Instead of just offering a standard veggie burger though, think outside the box. Jackfruit, cauliflower, nuts and legumes… the possibilities are endless and you may be surprised at what you can create without involving any meat at all. One thing is for sure, offering plant based alternatives will open up a whole new market of customers to you.
The Year Of The …Sandwich?
Stick with us on this one: Sandwiches. Nothing revolutionary you might say – however we are ready to argue otherwise. Keeping it simple, homemade and with delicious filling prepared on your rotisserie oven (think ham dripping in juices, roasted chicken with rosemary) will be sure to pull in a crowd. The main thing to remember is keeping the ingredients straightforward but great quality. Switch out the cheap bag of sliced bread for the artisan loaf straight from your local bakery, or maybe even consider making your own fresh for a personal touch. Our catering equipment offers a variety of ways to cook even the most simple of foods, it’s up to you to put your creative skills to the test and it may be a bit of trial and error until you land on that perfect recipe.
Zero Waste, More Taste
Sticking with the idea of remaining more environmentally considerate, try and focus on limiting your waste at events wherever possible. Re-usable containers or biodegradable cups are staples now. Plus, when it comes to cooking meat on your roasting oven, try and use as much of the animal as possible and don’t forget to save the juices or to make crackling for a delicious (waste-free!) finishing touch. Whilst it’s not worth skimping on any of your ingredients, there is nothing wrong with using wonky veg or any items from the reduced section as long as they are eaten within their use by date. Keeping an open mind when selecting your food and containers will help save on waste and will no doubt save you a bit of money in the long run too.
Tasty Trotter is a well-established brand that offer a broad range of catering equipment ideal for hog roasts, BBQ’s, weddings, parties or any other events where people need feeding!
Contact us today for a great deal:
E-mail marketing@riberproducts.co.uk or Call 01246 866800
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Healthy Grilling Tips & Tricks
Summer BBQs are a great time for all the family and whilst it can be very tempting to indulge in rich sauce smothered joints and sides, there are ways to make your grilling experience healthier (whilst remaining delicious!)
Barbecuing adds so much flavour through the smoke and searing of the food that it is easy to maintain a yummy flavour without overdoing it. Read on to find out how to make the most of healthy grilling:
Opt for a light starter
Rather than sticking with crisps and dips, venture into the world of starters cooked on your very own grill. Bruschetta with grilled tomato, olive oil and herbs is a wonderful alternative which will satisfy your guests without taking up too much space for the main course! You could create some vegetable skewers (think aubergine, peppers, mushrooms, etc) infused with herbs and marinade to give a little extra taste. Again, this is a light option to keep your guests occupied whilst you focus on preparing the main.
Keep it colourful
Grill some summer vegetables to fill your guests’ plates with colour. You can present them as a main course or as a sumptuous side to a lighter option of prawns or grilled fish. Try grilling lemon halves until caramelised and squeeze them over your veg, or add some onions for a pop of flavour.
Use herbs and oils – but choose wisely!
Marinades do not have to be fatty or sugary to taste great. Barbecuing should speak for itself and does not require a complex sauce to compliment this. Stick to the basics: olive oil, lemon juice, chilli, salt, balsamic vinegar and herbs such as rosemary.
Be more selective
Swap out processed meat bought at the supermarket for locally sourced beef or pork from your local butcher. If you choose to prepare your meat alongside salad and veg, create a homemade marinade to rub into the meat which keeps things healthy and delicious.
Fish is a fantastic healthy alternative, wild trout or salmon is the perfect addition to the barbecue as they have many benefits. Dice up some pineapple, add a little chilli and prepare for gorgeous flavour!
With a little pre-planning and thinking outside the box, you can create delicious healthy grilled foods so you can eat to your hearts content without the guilt of indulging in fatty BBQ food.
Delicious alternatives to cook on your roasting oven
One of the best features of our spit roasting ovens is the possibility to cook a variety of food, not limiting you to a traditional hog roast. Although roasting a pig is still a widely enjoyed option for many events, it is always good to know what other food and services you can provide. Thanks to our machines being so versatile, the choices are almost limitless! Below we have listed some of our favourite alternatives, perhaps you will find something new to try OR post in the comments if you have your own recipes!
Chicken
Thanks to the versatility of the machine and the ability to switch the spit for our roasting cradle, full chickens are easy to cook making them beautifully tender and flavourful. This is a brilliant choice if you are feeding a lot of people as you can cook up to 24 full chickens at a time and it is a simple way to still supply a good amount of meat. Chicken can be served in a bun or with salad or veg, meaning it is fantastic for summer garden parties where a lighter option is preferred.
Duck
Duck can be cooked similarly to chicken, either on the spit or cradle. A delicious flavour and something a little bit different, you will be surprised by how well this will be received! Duck can be served in a few ways but why not try it in a wrap or with some homemade sauce and sides. Another great thing about cooking duck is that none of the run off fat need be wasted. Position the duck above your potatoes in the roasting trays, the fat will seep into the potatoes giving them a wonderful finish your guests will rave about.
Toad in the Hole
A staple dish but not what you expect to see prepared on a roasting oven! Toad in the hole is surprisingly easy to make, preparing your batter in advance definitely helps to make the event run smoothly and other than that all you need to do is choose how you’d like to cook it. We find the roasting trays to be good option if you are wanting to make a big portion. However, if you are wanting a smaller size which you can serve to guests individually – try cooking a single portion in a small disposable tray (similar to what you’d get from a takeaway) using the roasting cradle attachment. This is a handy trick as it means all you will need is some napkins so that the guests can hold the trays whilst hot – other than that it is a meal ready to eat!
Jacket Potatoes
Simple is sometimes best when it comes to choosing a meal everyone will like. Don’t over-complicate things and go for this option when it is a big event that you will want to turn out lots of food, especially if you are looking to incorporate veggie or vegan options too. The roasting cradle can fit up to 150 potatoes, meaning you can spend more time chatting with your guests and deciding what you would like to serve them with. You could go for simple options such as cheese or beans, but why not step it up and go for pulled pork or a chill mix to really get the taste buds watering.
Pizza
Thanks to our brand-new addition of the pizza cradle, pizza is sure to be a fast favourite amongst caterers. With a huge margin (up to 88%!!) and profit to be made, offering pizza has the potential to transform your business. Preparing your dough and toppings in advance helps to maintain the flow of cooking in vast quantities, it also means you can work out your costs easily and where you would like to splurge a little more (E.g. is it worth paying a few pence more for the tastier tomato sauce base?). With the pizza cradle attachment, you can cook up to 12, 9” pizzas in approx. 5 minutes. A great option for any street food event, a fun alternative at wedding parties and something that you can offer to vegetarians too – everyone will find something to love about this option and you are sure to reap the benefits!