On the latest episode of In the Mix, the newest video series from Nation’s Restaurant News, the NRN editors are traveling the country to see how restaurants are approaching menu development in a season of inflation and supply chain challenges.
First up, senior food and beverage editor Bret Thorn is in Napa, Calif., attending the Culinary Institute of America’s latest Worlds of Flavor event, which is highlighting the cuisines and flavors of Africa. Studies show that African flavors are rising in popularity, particularly among younger audiences, and American restaurants have an opportunity to capitalize.
Then we’re heading to Las Vegas, where NRN’s executive editor Alicia Kelso attended the latest Restaurant Finance & Development Conference, where the word on everyone’s lips was inflation. Still, optimism abounds among restaurant executives who expect the worst of inflation — and its effects on menu development — to subside.
Plus managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister hits the road to Nashville, Tenn., to check out Sam Fox’s newest cocktail bar, and senior editor Joanna Fantozzi is in Minneapolis, Minn., visiting Taco John’s headquarters to check out its latest menu items. All that and much more in this month’s edition of In the Mix.