Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development
Picture for Flavor Trifecta: Tracey Macrae
Chipotle peppers, ginger and rosemary make a simple marinade
Picture for 10 Flavor Builders: Seafood
Ideal for takeout, handhelds reel in the growing demand for seafood
Picture for Flavor Makeover: Miso
Miso is poised to deliver its unique, savory earthiness to brunch
Picture for Flavor Trifecta: Loay Alhindi
Garlic, pomegranate molasses and eggplant - three Mediterranean ingredients not often used together in the same dish
Picture for 10 Flavor Upgrades: Far Out Flavors
Exploring ahead-of-the-curve flavor opportunities to sustain perpetual menu relevancy
Picture for Flavor Trifecta: John J. O’Leary
The three ingredients O’Leary chose—angelica, burdock root and Seminole pumpkin—each carry intrigue
Picture for Flavor Trifecta: Valeria Molinelli
A blend of guanabana, aji amarillo and panela offers flavor inspiration.
Picture for Smoke's New Draw
Chefs employ modern approaches to the art of smoke
Picture for Flavor Watch: Bright Prospect
Color is becoming a more significant factor in menu development
Picture for Flavor Find: Spiraling Upward
This Taro Root Nest features spiralized taro root, deep fried at a low temperature until super crispy
Picture for Flavor Trifecta: John Baez
John Baez is executive chef of the Rainforest Cafe, a family-oriented themed concept that is part of Landry’s, Inc
Picture for Flavor Playlist: Justin Cucci
Justin Cucci is the executive chef/owner of Edible Beats restaurant group, based in Denver
Picture for Flavor Makeover: Unearthing Sweetness
The humble sweet potato offers tremendous menu versatility and opportunity
Picture for Flavor Trifecta: Travis G. Peters
Travis G. Peters is the chef/owner of The Parish, a Southern fusion gastropub in Tucson, Ariz
Picture for Flavor Watch: Balkan Beauty
We’re tracking ajvar, a red bell pepper- and oil-based condiment from the Balkans
Picture for Umami's Next Move
New dimensions for the craveable fifth taste
Picture for 10 Flavor Builders: Taste of Asia
Bold condiments from this global hotspot serve as high-impact ingredients
Picture for Flavor Trifecta: Alejandro Benes
Alejandro Benes is the director of culinary development for Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill, an American concept based in Westlake Village, Calif.
Picture for Flavor Watch: Sticky-sweet Umami
We’ve got our eye on miso caramel, which takes the salty-sweet win and introduces a craveable element of umami
Picture for Plant Power
Functional ingredients find a mainstream home in plant-forward burgers
Picture for Creative Flavor Moves
Uncommon flavors and techniques that deliver surprise and delight
Picture for Flavors on the Edge
These two lesser known ingredients provide big menu impact
Picture for 10 Flavor Builders: Up in Smoke
Smoke’s distinctive air is wafting into new categories, including cocktails, fruit, vegetables and honey. Here are 10 trend-forward ideas for featuring creative smoked options on your menu.
Picture for Flavor Playlist: Estevan Jimenez
Estevan Jimenez is the executive chef and culinary instructor at Rancho Cielo Youth Campus in Salinas, Calif. He shares five flavors that inspire his culinary creativity.
Picture for Flavor Find: Compressed Watermelon
Modern applications of compressed watermelon featured at two Oakland, Calif., restaurants
Picture for Cheese to Please
Chefs across the country are taking something inherently craveable and familiar — cheese — and relying on it to elevate a menu item. Infinitely adaptable and universally loved, cheese offers a sound strategy in modern menu development. Here’s what’s hitting creative menus today.
Picture for Flavor Trifecta: Timothy Griffin
Timothy Griffin is the director of culinary innovation at Kona Grill, an upscale casual grill based in Scottsdale, Arizona. We asked him to share a flavor trifecta that demonstrates creative, unexpected flavor play.
Picture for Flavor Playlist: Jonathan Rohland
Jonathan Rohland is the culinary director of Bartaco, a “beach-culture inspired” restaurant brand based in Norwalk, Conn., with 15 locations mostly on the East Coast. He shares five flavors that inspire his culinary creativity.
Picture for Flavor Playlist: Luca Brunelle
Luca Brunelle, executive chef for The Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs, shares his five flavors that inspire culinary creativity.
Picture for Flavor Trifecta: John State
John State, culinary director at Disneyland Resort, shares the trifecta of flavors that inspires him.

Picture for Flavors on the Edge
Gerry Ludwig calls out three leading-edge ingredients, showcased at the CIA’s Worlds of Flavor conference.
Picture for Signature Flavor: Like Butter
This Grass-Fed Aussie Beef Sous Vide in Grass-Fed Butter is a prime example of a modern entrée that pays serious attention to both flavor detail and integrity of product.
Picture for Flavor Find: Mole's Magic
The array of moles, served on a wooden platter with rice, demonstrates the menu potential of this craveable sauce.
Picture for 10 Butter Upgrades
Leverage butter’s magical ability to enrich and lengthen flavor experience while carrying trending flavors flawlessly
Picture for Flavored Butter Applications
The potential flavor combinations and ingredients that work in compound butters are virtually endless
Picture for Flavor Trifecta: Joel Huff
Buttermilk + Shiso leaf + White soy sauce
Picture for Field Notes: Everybody Sambal
Wherever there’s a need for a distinctive, unexpected punch, Sambal shines brightly
Picture for Flavor Playlist: Nels Storm
Nels Storm introduces five flavors that inspire culinary creativity
Picture for Texas Pete Trifecta: Cornmeal  +  Blackberries + Texas Pete® Honey Mustard Sauce
Quinn Adkins introduces this go-to trifecta of cornmeal, blackberries, and Texas Pete® Honey Mustard Sauce
Picture for Big Menu Moves for Cheese
Six ways to maximize the popularity and versatility of cheese
Picture for Flavor in Focus: Grilled Cheese, Please
Modern flavor trends are informing creative iterations of America’s favorite sandwich, the grilled cheese
Picture for Texas Pete Trifecta: Gruyere + Fresh Apple + Texas Pete Original Hot Sauce
Matthia Accurso's go-to flavor trifecta: Texas Pete Hot Sauce, Gruyère and fresh apple
Picture for Flavor Trifecta: Kevin Atkinson
Kevin Atkinson's go-to flavor trifecta: harissa, mustard and avocado
Picture for Flavor Playlist: Lucas Clarke
Five flavors that inspire culinary creativity, suggested by Eric Lucas Clarke of MAD Greens.
Picture for Flavor Find: In a Pickle
James Pitzer's flavor find - house-pickled raspberries
Picture for Flavor Trifecta: Sam Kim
Sam Kim's go-to flavor trifecta: cumin, ginger and Sichuan peppercorns
Picture for Flavor Playlist: Eric Gabrynowicz
Five flavors that inspire culinary creativity, suggested by Eric Gabrynowicz of Tupelo Honey
Picture for Flavor Find: Corn Star
Alex Q. Becker's flavor find is a craveable fresh corn tempura