Diners are comforted by “retrocore” or nostalgic foods and returning to operations that strike the right balance of old and new. They’re gladly splurging on fine-dining experiences knocked off the traditional pedestal and reimagined to be deliciously approachable.
5 Ways to novel nostalgia
Reawaken childhood wonder, breathe new life into cherished classics, and rediscover familiar flavors.
Elevate childhood favorites
It can be as simple as upgrading one key ingredient. “Take your favorite pasta and swap in a filled pasta with fresh handmade products,” says Conrad Butler, Shamrock Foods Produce Specialist, Arizona.
Serve deviled eggs with a twist of ranch seasoning or hot sauce. Upgrade classic appetizers with modern sauces, like Intros® mozzarella sticks with Calabrian chile sauce. Outdo mom’s pot roast by incorporating premium beef cheeks from Gold Canyon Meat CO.®
Master the mac
Fancy macaroni and cheese is still going strong with elevated cheese, pastas and additions like lobster, crab and caviar. Lean into flavor themes such as buffalo, smokey cheese, or a sandwich-turned-mac like Reuben or cheeseburger with pickles and onions.
Retro chocolate is hot
Molten lava cake is trending, and chocolate sandwich cookies are showing up in unexpected places like creamy martini mocktails. Serve up a classic cookie pizza from Brickfire Bakery®. Delight guests by baking whole cookies in the middle of cakes. Or consider a dunkable treat like mini cinnamon donuts with warm chocolate sauce or fondue.
Time’s ripe for bananas
Go Bananas! Banana lovers will revel in a classic pudding revamped with a crème brulee or flambé twist. Caramelize the bananas first, then layer pudding with ladyfingers and caramel sauce for an impressive trifle that can be served family-style in a pedestaled centerpiece or in tall individual glasses.
PB&Joy!
This childhood classic lives on from breakfast to dinner. Offer a PB&J-stuffed French toast with bacon, or pancake stacks layered with jelly and a decadent glaze of peanut butter-maple syrup. Toast the classic sandwich with upgraded jam and tuck in savory ingredients from Shamrock Foods Artisanal Provisions.
More ideas abound:
- Air-fried triple-deckers
- PB oatmeal pie, ribboned with strawberry jam
- PB&J truffles
Call it throwback meets approachable elegance, classic comfort, or casual simplicity. However you do it, strike a new chord between the tried-and-true and the uniquely interesting. Our team of restaurant industry experts is ready to help your business.
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