Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development

By Flavor & The Menu
March 13, 2023

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The case has been made. One study after another confirms that Americans are ready to embrace a flexitarian approach to dining, choosing to eat less meat in response to concerns about its effect on health, animal welfare and the planet. In Plant-Forward Opportunity, a report in collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America, Datassential finds that more than four in five are making this choice. As chefs explore opportunities for meatless menu innovation, they are laser-focused on ingredient solutions that offer points of differentiation in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

Quorn, a well-respected retail brand with decades of award-winning success, has made its move to the foodservice market and is primed to be a go-to solution in professional kitchens. Made from mycoprotein, Quorn products are soy-free, non-GMO, delicious and sustainable.

Why Mycoprotein?

 Naturally source whole food  High in protein, fiber, calcium
 Mycelium/fungi-base  Low in fat, cholesterol, sodium
 Reduces environmental impact  Performs well in recipes; versatile
 Produces meat-like texture  Tastes great
Credit: David Siegel/Insights StudioInc.com

Quorn products fit well in elevated menu applications, like these Skewered Meatless Wings.

Menu Moves

“We’re being very deliberate in choosing the products that we’ve made available to foodservice in order to emphasize their versatility and capacity to support modern menu development,” says Stephen Kalil, Executive Chef North America, Quorn Foods, who has built Quorn’s team of culinary experts, which includes Karla Acevedo, Lead Culinologist, Product Development Chef and Sarah Castaneda, Senior Product Development Chef, Foodservice.

“Quorn’s ChiQin portfolio is the perfect canvas to carry other flavors and textures in many different applications,” Kalil continues. “This line has a neutral umami flavor that blends really well with the Asian and Middle Eastern profiles trending on menus today. And there’s no aftertaste that needs to be masked, which allows for a very clean ingredient deck,” he notes.

Chefs can turn to Quorn to update menu favorites like the Nashville Hot ChiQin Sandwich or to serve as the star player in trend-forward recipes like Skewered Meatless Wings, featured at the 2022 Flavor Experience. “Chicken sandwiches are all built on a really great breaded chicken,” says Kalil. “Quorn’s Homestyle Breaded ChiQin Cutlet has the craveable texture and crunch that can hold up to dressings and sauces. The Skewered Meatless Wings showcase an elevated presentation and contrasting flavors of pomegranate molasses, poppyseed, watermelon, olive oil and feta.”

To request samples and learn more, visit www.quornfoodservice.us

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