Culinary
Culinary
MEET THE TEAM
CHAD LANCE
Director of Culinary Innovation
Chad is a graduate of Central Michigan University where he focused on entrepreneurship and foodservice administration. His broad experience ranges from fast casual to fine dining and catering, and he has a true affinity for flavor and bringing out exceptional taste in ethnic dishes. A 15 year veteran of the foodservice industry, Chad’s favorite place to apply his learning is right in the kitchen creating mouthwatering cuisine.
JUSTIN WENDT
Kitchen Assistant
Justin has been working in the food service industry for 18 years. Occupying positions in everything from fast food to fine dining. He uses this knowledge to ensure the Monin Test Kitchen is in top shape at all times and is adhering to food safety standards. He has a passion for exploring new culinary techniques and is always working to increase his knowledge base with the end goal of creating new and exciting dishes.
HOT NEW TRENDS
Our culinary team is always on the lookout for the next best thing in food. Here are the full-flavored trends we’re seeing sprout up in kitchens around the country.
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Small plates, tapas style and snacking options are a growing menu trend. People are using dining out as a social experience, in small to large groups of friends. They’re seeking socially shareable moments that look amazing and deliver on incredible, craveable taste. This trend is spurring next level innovation in food and beverage flavours, colors and textures. Piggybacking off this trend and the resilient demand for global flavours mash-ups, one standout dish is hummus. This rich and creamy spread has a strong Mediterranean origin but can be flavoured in a number of ways, from spicy and savoury to a sweeter or spiced dessert style.
Invite good luck and prosperity to your menu with this Black-Eyed Pea Hummus.
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Honey as an ingredient has been swarming food & beverage menus for years, and it’s still as hot as ever. From honey-infused cocktails and meads to spicy honey glazes and honey turned natural sweetener alternative, it has really evolved into an ingredient chefs and consumers gravitate towards. Chefs appreciate its versatility and the way it complements so many other flavors. Consumers enjoy its perceived health benefits and the comfortability it offers. Look for gourmet honey to have its day in the form of varietals and local honey, as the farm-to-table movement becomes mainstream.
Create a buzz around your next creation with this Rosemary Honey Vinaigrette.
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Middle Eastern cuisine has a reputation for being fresh, wholesome and rich, with heavy use of earthy spices. Many of the staple dishes of this genre are vegetarian, yet full flavored and filling. With today’s consumer interest in healthier balanced diets paired with a taste for global flavors, it’s no wonder this style of cooking has become so popular. Middle Eastern herb mixtures, such as Za’atar, combine some of the most flavorful spices and herbs in the world to create satisfying flavor combinations that can be used again and again.
Feed your hunger for adventure with this Blood Orange Za’atar Labneh.
