That means sizzling meats and savory undertones of fire are on everyone’s minds. And while burgers and steaks get most of the BBQ attention, there are plenty of meats and methods to imbue your entrées with the taste of summer. Read the feature article “Smokin’ Menus” for some fresh ideas, and ask your Shamrock Sales Representative to show you our line of COP products that are perfectly matched for the grill: new Gold Canyon Gourmet Burgers, Sterling Silver^® Premium Beef and SilverBrook^® fresh chicken breast filets. They’re available from our own USDA-Certified Meat Plants.

Making those meats special—making any dish special—can sometimes be achieved with just one new ingredient. A simple boost of flavor or spicy surprise might even result in a great signature dish. The article “One Step Beyond” gives creative ideas for turning an ordinary dish into something memorable with the addition of simple, low cost ingredients. Take the guesswork out of creating the perfect combination of dishes for your menu by getting valuable feedback from your customers. “Tuning into Feedback” gives practical advice on how to monitor what your customers like about your operation and your new menus. Getting their critical feedback may not be as hard as you think.

You can read or download SmartSolutions™ online by going to www.shamrockfoodservice.com. In fact, you can access every issue back to January of 2005. And once you’re on our website, be sure to register and log-on to “MyShamrock” for access to industry and market news and events, product promotions, our Product Guide, recipes, Markon^® produce yields, and much more.

I encourage your comments and suggestions; please contact me at smartsolutions@shamrockfoods.com.

Thank you,


Lynn Rice