World Wildlife Fund Hotel Kitchen Program offers Guidance on how to reduce, recycle and repurpose throughout the event food chain Why would the World Wildlife Fund, get involved in what happens in hotel kitchens? After all, WWF is all about protecting species and habitats and natural resources conservation, not bagels, brioche, and breakfast buffets. But when you consider that World Wildlife Fund also aims to transform markets and policies to reduce the impact of the production and consumption of commodities, it starts to make sense. In the U.S. alone, we waste or lose 30% to 40% of all the food…
Pork is a very prevalent food in our culture. The term refers to the meat from domesticated pigs. Animal husbandry, or the growing of livestock for food purposes, dates back to 5000 BC. Today, pork is the most common form of meat worldwide. From ham sandwiches to hot dogs and even our soup broths, pork is everywhere. While it is a very accepted food, there are a few things that F&B professionals should know about pork before serving it at their events and culinary establishments. Pork in Religion There are several religions that prohibit their practitioners from eating pork –…
Exciting News! I’ve just become a Meatless Monday Ambassador! Meatless Monday is a global movement that asks people to give up meat for one day a week. By becoming an ambassador, I will work to encourage fellow meeting and event planners to think about meatless food options. Here’s why the movement is important to me: Pro-Environment Reducing our carbon footprint and practicing sustainable food practices is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. Did you know that global livestock production creates more greenhouse gases than all the cars, trucks, planes, and trains in the world? By reducing…
There are a multitude of food trends I could talk about. If you missed part one about superfoods, “4 Superfoods – 2018 Food Trends,” feel free to take a look. I also discuss beverage predictions in “Cheers! Drink Trends for 2018 – Part Two.” Following are a few of my ideas about the culinary forecast. Healthful Personalization At one time, personalization meant being able to asking for extra cheese on that hamburger, or adding a build a your own sundae station and omelet bar at our events. As positive, accepting attitudes about dietary restrictions and better understanding of food allergies…
National Soy Foods Month – Celebrate! It’s National Soy Foods Month (#SoyFoodMonth)It is important first to note that soy is one of the “Big Eight” allergens, that group of food allergens that causes over 90% of allergic reactions in people with food allergies. While soy is a big eight allergen and should be taken seriously, statistics suggest that soy may not be as equally dangerous or consequential as other allergens, such as milk, which accounts for 80% of food allergies and intolerances, worldwide. Remember to Treat Soy as an Allergen – Because it is one The Soyfoods Association of America…
Seafood is one of the most important foods to consider when designing a sustainable menu. There is a big focus on eating local and on the comparative carbon footprint of beef, lamb, and chicken. But between overfishing, the evolving health of our oceans, and our understanding of how farm fishing and wild caught affects surrounding eco-systems, we begin to grasp that understanding sustainable seafood is a complex undertaking. Without diving into big explanations and long-winded descriptions, let’s assume you already care about supporting sustainable eating and seafood is included. Here are just a few must-know items to help you make…
Sustainability has become a big aspect of almost any industry and in the meetings industry sustainability has become crucial to maintaining our social and environmental responsibility. While we often hear farmers producing sustainable crops or even sustainable livestock, our kitchens also need to take stock in their environmental impact as well to ensure a better quality and in-demand products. Just as Climatarians make specific changes in their diet to minimize their carbon footprint, we need to make changes, industry-wide, to do our best to minimize and diminish unsustainable practices across the supply chain and in the kitchen. Whether we seek a…