Foodservice Equipment & Restaurant Supply Blog

Here are some resources for any restaurants and foodservice operators out there who’d like to get involved with a charity. I talked to several nonprofits that team up with restaurants – here is the info –

The Salvation Army accepts food service equipment, appliances and food prep supplies for their senior centers, adult day cares and other community programs. Just use the website directory to locate a S.A. center in your area. They also accept monetary donations by phone, or you can call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825) to schedule a pickup.

Action Against Hunger is an international organization that delivers programs in some 40 countries, specializing in emergency situations of war, conflict, and natural disasters and longer-term assistance to people in distress.

Database Manager Jake Dahlman, who is also in charge of donor stewardship, said they cannot accept donations of food or equipment, but that many restaurants give back to their organization by offering a portion of their proceeds. For instance, Cafe’ Joul in New York City donates $1 from each sale of one best-selling starter and one best-selling dessert.

Anyone interested in making a donation can do so via the website, or they may contact Dahlman directly via email.

Feeding America is the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. According to the website, the organization’s mission is to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and to engage the country in the fight to end hunger.

Feeding America’s Hungry Children is involved in a many food programs, including distributing emergency food boxes during the holidays, providing nutritious, vitamin-rich, fresh fruits and vegetables and helping underfed children through member agency programs.

The Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to people in need.

In addition to vehicles and monetary contributions, the organization also has a tremendous need for cookware and kitchen equipment to prepare the meals they provide. Monetary donations can be made via the website, and inquiries can be made by locating one of the 5,000 regional program offices nationwide or contact MOWAA via Email.

Another way that restaurants get involved with charities is by offering free gift cards. Jeanette Sawi, owner of Santorini Greek Kitchen in Indianapolis, said they partner with a number of local organizations including Indiana Youth Group and Second Helpings.

Central Restaurant Products has a Knowledge Base of resources for restaurants, including information on how to get involved with a local or national charity organization. Please visit CentralRestaurant.com/givingback for details.

Morning folks! Just in time for the holidays, our fantastic copywriter has put together a compendium of resources for bartenders and restaurant operators…so without further ado, here it is – the only bar guide you’ll ever need.

On average, restaurants typically derive between 12% to 25% of their sales from alcoholic drinks. Take into consideration that drinks do not require as many ingredients or as much prep time as food, and you can see that your bar could potentially be a very profitable area of your restaurant! This collection of tips, trends and recipe suggestions will help you get your bar up to par—and help you to earn the largest profit margins possible.

Is your bar stocked with the top selling spirits?

More than 800 restaurant owners and operators were asked to list the three most-ordered alcohols in their bars in 2008. Don’t risk disappointing customers because you weren’t fully stocked with these popular spirits:

• 90% Vodka
• 42% Rum
• 35% Tequila
• 25% Bourbon
• 23% Scotch
• 21% Gin
• 18% Flavored Vodka
• 18% Whiskey

Once you’re fully stocked, be sure you use your menu or tabletop signs to advertise the liquors you offer. In a study conducted by R&I Magazine, consumers revealed that they would have ordered an alcoholic drink if they had known it was available.

Shaken, not stirred…martini essentials

Do you have what it takes to make a martini? Some say gin, some say vodka. No matter what alcohol you choose, be sure you have these essentials to make martinis of any kind:

Make a mojito!

Made with white rum, a mojito is a classic cocktail that combines sweetness, refreshing citrus and mint flavors.

Original Mojito — Supplies you’ll need:

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 part white rum
• 3 parts club soda
• 12 mint leaves
• ½ lime
• ½ part Sugar

Directions: Place 12 mint leaves, ½ part sugar and ½ lime in glass. Muddle well with a pestle. Add white rum, top off with club soda, stir well and garnish with sprigs of mint or a lime wheel.

Myth or reality: The perfect margarita

With so many different ways to make a margarita, is there really such thing as a perfect margarita? Whether it’s frozen or on the rocks, made with limes or with strawberries, with or without salt, how you make the perfect margarita is totally up to you—or your customer. If you have all the right tools, your margarita will be perfect every time.

Supplies you’ll need:

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 6 oz. tequila
• 6 oz. Triple Sec
• 2 oz. Rose’s lime juice
• Fresh limes

Directions: Fill blender with first three ingredients and turn on. Add ice gradually and blend until the consistency is thick and smooth (similar to that of a milkshake). Cut lime in quarters; use one quarter to squeeze lime juice around rim of glass and then cover with salt. Pour drink into glass and garnish with lime wedge.

It’s all about the glassware

It’s important to have the appropriate glass for each type of alcoholic beverage you serve. Using the right glass shows off the drink, and can act as an enticing advertisement to other patrons that have yet to order. There’s also a practical reason for using the right glass—each glass was designed specifically for each type of drink served. For example, because a martini is served without ice, martini glasses generally have long stems to keep the cocktail away from the drinker’s warm hands. Use the following list to find the appropriate glass for each cocktail you serve:

Don’t forget the wine!

Not sure if you should offer wine on your menu? Compared to other alcoholic beverages, wine can be much easier and quicker to serve. To serve a glass of wine, you only need to pour the proper serving amount in the glass, eliminating time-consuming tasks like adding ice, measuring liquors, shaking cocktails and adding garnish.

Not only can you benefit from quick, easy service of wine, buy you can also benefit from increased sales and profits. According to a study by R&I Magazine, 21% of consumers are ordering more wine this year than last year!

If you plan to offer wine, be sure you have these essentials:

What’s on tap? Beer tips & tricks

Similar to wine, beer is an easy add to your menu because serving is so simple. According to a study by R & I Magazine, more than 25% of adults say they order beer away from home at least once a week, meaning it is also profitable to offer beer.

Draft beer dispensers are great for full-service bars. They can quickly fill multiple servings of beer and reduce the amount of waste from bottles and cans. Not sure about serving draft beer? Use bottle coolers to serve individual bottles of beer and cut down on the amount of glasses you need to wash each night!

If you plan to offer beer, be sure to have these essentials:

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