Dave Lundahl

CEO, InsightsNow

Dave Lundahl brings his expertise in consumer insights and data analytics to the table. As the CEO of InsightsNow, he’ll share how AI is transforming the way we understand and predict consumer preferences in the food industry.

Chef Charlie Baggs

President, Charlie Baggs Culinary Innovations

Renowned chef Charlie Baggs will offer a culinary perspective on AI-powered menu creation. With his extensive experience in culinary innovation, Chef Baggs will discuss how AI can enhance creativity in the kitchen while maintaining the artistry of cooking.

Carrie Sabourin

Vice President, Strategy, Charlie Baggs Culinary Innovations

Carrie Sabourin will provide strategic insights into how AI is shaping the future of menu planning and development. Her expertise in culinary strategy will offer valuable perspectives on integrating AI tools into existing foodservice operations.

Webinar Highlights

• AI-Driven Menu Optimization: Learn how AI analyzes data on customer behavior, sales patterns, and food costs to create menus that are both profitable and appealing to customers.
• Personalization at Scale: Discover how AI enables restaurants to offer hyper-personalized menu options based on individual customer preferences and dietary requirements.
• Efficiency and Waste Reduction: Explore how AI-powered menu planning can lead to enhanced operational efficiency, reduced costs, and minimized food waste.
• Creative Culinary Applications: Gain insights into how chefs can leverage AI as a tool for inspiration and innovation in recipe development.
• Future Trends: Get a glimpse into the future of AI in foodservice, including dynamic pricing, automated menu localization, and AI-assisted flavor pairing.

This webinar promises to be an enlightening session for restaurateurs, chefs, food service professionals, and anyone interested in the future of culinary innovation. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders about how AI is set to transform menu creation and elevate the dining experience.

Are you interested in registering? Click the link below!

https://insightsnow.com

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The recent Flavor Experience 2024 event in San Diego offered the CBCI team valuable insights and new opportunities. As we reflect on our time there, it’s evident that the foodservice industry is evolving rapidly, with flavor innovation and culinary creativity taking center stage. 

Flavor Houses Take Center Stage 

At the event, we observed a strong presence of flavor houses. Their culinary teams were actively engaged, underscoring the growing importance of flavor innovation across the industry. This trend presents exciting opportunities for us to collaborate with flavor houses and leverage their expertise in our consulting projects. 

The Critical Role of Culinary Innovation 

Conversations with industry leaders highlighted the vital role of culinary innovation in driving growth and differentiation. In today’s competitive market, restaurants and foodservice providers must continually evolve their offerings to captivate consumers and stay ahead of trends. 

Experiential Dining on the Rise 

Our discussions also revealed a surge in consumer interest in experiential dining. This trend offers foodservice providers a chance to create immersive dining experiences that go beyond simply serving food. The future of experiential dining promises dynamic opportunities and memorable moments for consumers. 

Sober Living Trends Gain Momentum 

Another key takeaway was the rise of sober living trends. As more consumers embrace alcohol-free lifestyles, this shift opens the door for innovative non-alcoholic beverage programs and menu items. Today’s NA beverage consumers seek drinks that not only avoid alcohol but also provide health benefits like gut health, hydration, and natural ingredients—while still delivering a luxury cocktail experience. 

Looking Ahead 

The Flavor Experience 2024 reaffirmed our commitment to staying at the forefront of culinary innovation. Moving forward, we’re excited to integrate these insights into our consulting services, helping clients navigate the evolving foodservice landscape. By focusing on flavor innovation, experiential dining, and strategic partnerships, we are well-positioned to drive growth and success for our clients in the year ahead and beyond.

The post Looking Back on Flavor Experience 2024 appeared first on Charlie Baggs.

What is Snap + Serve?

Snap + Serve is an unconventional, innovative approach to capturing content. Unlike traditional photo shoots, which often involve meticulous planning and extensive set-up times, our method is designed to be swift, spontaneous, and highly productive. In just one day, we’ll work with you to capture as many images as possible, utilizing multiple setups to deliver a diverse and engaging collection of photos.

How It Works

Our process is streamlined for maximum efficiency and creativity:

1. Pre-Production Call: We start with a pre-production call to understand your vision and goals for the shoot. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and ready to make the most of the day.
2. One-Day Photoshoot: On the day of the shoot, we set up multiple environments simultaneously in our versatile space. This allows us to capture a variety of images quickly and efficiently. Whether it’s tabletop setups, kitchen preparation scenes, or action shots of people enjoying food, we’ve got you covered.

Why Choose Us?

Our unique approach offers several key advantages:

• Multiple Setups: Our space is designed to accommodate several setups at once, enabling simultaneous photo shoots. This maximizes the variety and volume of content we can produce in a single day.
• Flexible Options: Choose from various setup options to suit your needs, including:
  • Tabletop setups
  • Kitchen preparation scenes
  • Action shots of people eating

Talent and Styling

You have the flexibility to source, schedule, and style your own talent. Feel free to bring multiple outfits for varied looks. We’ll provide talent release forms upon request, ensuring everything is managed smoothly. If you need chef talent, we’ve got that covered too. Our professional chefs not only cook but also ensure the presentation is picture-perfect, eliminating the need for a separate food stylist.

Elevate Your Brand’s Content

After the shoot, you will receive all the images captured during the day as high-resolution JPEGs. These images come with unlimited usage rights, giving you complete freedom to use them as you wish. And for those looking to add dynamic content to their repertoire, videography services can be included for an additional fee.

Snap + Serve is here to change the way you think about content creation. Our service is designed for efficiency, flexibility, and quality, making it the perfect choice for companies looking to keep their content fresh and engaging. Book your session today and experience the difference!

The post Snap + Serve: Rapid Candid Content Capture appeared first on Charlie Baggs.

Batory Foods, a national distributor with a rich history dating back to 1979, has evolved from a sugar specialist to a comprehensive ingredient supplier. Their impressive range now includes dairy powders, proteins, fibers, oils, starches, and more, catering to various sectors of the food and beverage industry. Batory Foods’ also produces SMARTPOSIUM™, educational webinars for educational enrichment for the food and beverage community.  

We are passionate about partnering with forward-thinking companies like Batory Foods. Our collaboration stems from a shared commitment to culinary innovation and research. We constantly strive to develop innovative solutions that address market gaps and consumer needs, making Batory Foods an ideal partner in our quest to bring flavor to life. 

The SMARTPOSIUM™ promises to be an insightful event, offering attendees a unique opportunity to witness product development solutions firsthand. Industry experts, including Chef Charlie, will provide in-depth demonstrations of better-for-you bakery formulations, giving participants a glimpse into the future of healthy baking. 

We encourage all food industry professionals, product developers, and culinary enthusiasts to watch this SMARTPOSIUM™. It is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable inspiration and learn more about innovations in healthy baking. Do not miss Chef Charlie’s demonstration of the pea protein English muffin recipe and the mouthwatering breakfast sandwich he creates – it is sure to inspire your next culinary creation. 

Click here to watch the Batory Ingredient SmartTalk™: Bakery

The post Batory Foods’ SMARTPOSIUM™ Featuring Chef Charlie Baggs appeared first on Charlie Baggs.

As the culinary world continues to evolve, staying up to date on trends and innovation is crucial for foodservice professionals. We specialize in driving craveability for our clients, so that is why we are thrilled to attend the 2024 Flavor Experience, held from August 18-20 at the InterContinental San Diego. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this prestigious event, organized by Flavor & The Menu, and we could not be more excited to be there. 

A Milestone Celebration 

The 2024 Flavor Experience promises to be a landmark event, celebrating two decades of flavor innovations. This annual gathering is the ultimate destination for high-volume food and beverage menu developers, offering a unique blend of trend-forward content, peer-to-peer networking, and solutions-oriented small group discussions. As a company dedicated to providing the best quality culinary support, we recognize the importance of staying informed about the latest research and trends to better serve our clients. 

Opportunities for Networking and Learning 

One of the highlights of the Flavor Experience is the opportunity to connect with industry peers and leaders. The event’s schedule is packed with interactive sessions, keynote speeches, and breakout discussions that cover a wide range of topics. From understanding the Gen Z consumer to exploring next-level beverage innovations, there is something for everyone. We are particularly eager to engage in discussions, as sharing new concepts and ideas aligns perfectly with our commitment to continuous learning and adaptation in the ever-changing culinary landscape. 

Keynote by Dan Heath 

We are particularly excited about hearing from bestselling author Dan Heath, who will be delivering a keynote on “How to Change What’s Not Working: A Framework for Getting Unstuck and Making the Changes that Matter.” Dan Heath is known for his expertise in change management and innovation, and his insights will undoubtedly provide valuable takeaways for all attendees. His focus on actionable strategies aligns with our philosophy of leveraging research and innovation to drive meaningful change for our clients. 

Trend-Forward Exhibitors and Speakers 

The Flavor Experience will feature a diverse lineup of exhibitors showcasing exciting and delicious products that are sure to show off their unique flavors. Our team checked out the Flavor Experience 2024 playbook and we are specifically excited to taste unusual and innovative flavor combinations such as California Avocado East-Meets-West Key Lime Granola with Creamy California Avocado Key lime pie topped with granola and fresh avocado pieces. Sounds delicious! 

The CBCI team is looking forward to reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones at this year’s Flavor Experience. If you would like to find time to chat, please contact our sales executive, Chase Baggs, to schedule a time. 

The post Looking Forward to Flavor Experience 2024 appeared first on Charlie Baggs.

One standout moment came from the innovative chefs at Bush Beans, who masterfully crafted a pecan pie that featured beans while maintaining the classic dessert’s beloved profile. This creation not only tantalized taste buds but also showcased the potential for elevating traditional recipes with unexpected, healthier ingredients. It’s precisely this kind of creative problem-solving that we strive for in our own work. 

The international presence at IFT FIRST 2024 was particularly strong this year, with a notable amount of exciting new products from Asia. This global perspective is crucial in today’s interconnected culinary landscape. Learning from global flavors and technology gives us a competitive edge like no other.  

Speaking of unforgettable flavors, Virginia Dare’s ice cream sandwich was a true showstopper. The perfect balance of chocolate chip cookies embracing creamy vanilla ice cream reminded us of the power of nostalgic flavors. 

IFT FIRST 2024 reaffirmed our commitment to staying at the forefront of food science and culinary trends. From healthier twists on classic desserts to international flavor innovations, the event showcased the endless possibilities in our field. 

But it wasn’t all business and tastings. The CoreFX-sponsored rooftop after party became an event to remember when a tornado warning added a touch of excitement to the evening as we were stuck on a rooftop in downtown Chicago. Perhaps not the safest place to take cover during a storm!  

We’re not just observers of these trends – we’re active participants in helping shape the future of food. Our team of expert chefs and food scientists is ready to help your brand create the next big thing in culinary innovation. Whether you’re looking to reformulate a classic product for health-conscious consumers or develop an entirely new concept inspired by global flavors, we have the expertise and creativity to bring your vision to life.

Contact us today to set up a time to chat!  

The post Key Takeaways from IFT FIRST 2024 appeared first on Charlie Baggs.

Visionary Perspectives on Campus Dining 

The conference’s highlight was undoubtedly the super session “The Future of College & University Foodservice: 2030 and Beyond.” This thought-provoking presentation featured an impressive panel of experts: Dr. Andrew Morco, Dr. Lisa Cain, and Dr. Imran Ahmad. These esteemed speakers brought a wealth of knowledge from various fields, including hospitality management, food science, and organizational behavior. Their combined expertise offered a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities facing campus dining in the coming years. The depth of insight and forward-thinking approach demonstrated by these speakers underscores NACUFS’s commitment to addressing crucial topics in campus dining. Their dedication to exploring future trends and challenges is truly commendable. 

Innovative Solutions for Student Health and University Budgets 

One of the most exciting trends observed at NACUFS 2024 was the focus on solutions that prioritize student health while simultaneously reducing costs for universities and colleges. This dual approach is precisely the kind of innovation we strive for in our consulting work.  

Impressed By Johnsonville Sausages Innovative Approach to Campus Dining 

Johnsonville Sausages showcased an impressive and delicious ready-to-eat microwavable hot dog option, complete with a bun. This type of convenient, cost-effective solution could revolutionize quick-serve options in campus dining facilities.

We are here to help you succeed in real, innovative ways. Our expertise can help you streamline and/or train your BOH, improve your sustainability practices, and stay up to date with the latest food trends. 

The post Our Team’s Reflection on NACUFS 2024 appeared first on Charlie Baggs.

1. Incremental Gains: There’s been a slight uptick in customer visits compared to previous months. This suggests some recovery, but it’s modest and not yet a full rebound. 

1. Changing Consumer Preferences: People are becoming more health-conscious and are seeking healthier options. This shift is influencing where they choose to eat. 

1. Economic Pressures: Inflation and economic uncertainties are causing customers to be more cautious with their spending, impacting overall traffic. 

Demographic Shifts Shaping Restaurant Growth 

Demographics are playing a significant role in how certain restaurant brands are growing.  

1. Diverse Preferences: Different age groups and cultural backgrounds have varied tastes and dining preferences. Younger generations, for example, are more inclined towards diverse and international cuisines. 

1. Technology Integration: Younger customers prefer tech-savvy solutions like mobile ordering and contactless payments. 

1. Family-Friendly Options: Restaurants that cater to families are seeing growth, as they offer environments conducive to group dining and celebrations. 

Actionable Steps for Growth 

During this modest recovery, consider the suggestions below to increase traffic: 

• Tailor Your Offerings: Adapt your menu to include healthier options and diverse cuisines to meet the evolving preferences of health-conscious and diverse customers. 

• Loyalty Programs: Strengthen loyalty programs to retain customers and encourage repeat visits. 

• Tech Upgrades: Invest in technology that enhances the customer experience, such as mobile apps and self-service kiosks. 

• Consider Your Promotions: Offer value meals, family meal deals, and kid-friendly menu options to attract budget-conscious diners and group diners. 

By staying attuned to these trends and adapting accordingly, restaurant businesses can better navigate the current landscape and set themselves up for sustained growth. 

The post Navigating Restaurant Trends: Menu Innovation, Smarter Tech, and Promotions for Lasting Success appeared first on Charlie Baggs.

We had the chance to sit down with Chase Baggs, Sales Executive, to discuss what he is looking forward to at NACUFS. One of the highlights Chase is looking forward to is hearing from the Big 10 Leaders. Given our work with Big 10 schools in the past, Chase is excited to hear fresh perspectives from leaders at University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Michigan, and The Ohio State University. These leaders are guaranteed to provide valuable insights that will enhance our collaborations with collegiate dining programs and inspire innovative approaches to campus cuisine.

Chase is particularly enthusiastic about the “Bridging the Nutrient Gap: Helping Food Allergies Thrive” session because it aligns perfectly with CBCI’s commitment to developing inclusive dining experiences. CBCI loves the challenge of creating delicious, allergen-friendly options that do not compromise on taste or quality, and the team is eager to gain new insights in this crucial area.

Staying at the forefront of campus dining trends and needs is paramount to our work. The NACUFS 2024 National Conference offers a unique opportunity to gain insights, share our expertise, and contribute to the evolving landscape of collegiate foodservice. Our team is ready to soak in the knowledge, exchange ideas, and bring back fresh inspiration to fuel our work in culinary innovation for campus dining.

The NACUFS conference is also an excellent platform for networking. We are looking forward to reconnecting with familiar faces and forging new relationships within the collegiate foodservice community, along with the exhibitors that will be attending.

Will you be at NACUFS? If so, we’d love to connect! Please reach out Chase Baggs to set up a time to chat.

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