There’s a lot to consider when it comes to priming your menu for the holidays. From crafting unforgettable dishes to managing the seasonal rush, every detail counts. At Sysco, we understand the unique challenges you face, and we’re here to
help you juggle it all with ease.
Whether you’re looking to streamline your catering with innovative apps, infuse Mediterranean warmth into your dishes, elevate simplicity to an art form, showcase veg-centric creations, or perfect your holiday roasts, we have everything you need to succeed. Flip through the pages in this section to discover inventive ways to keep your menu simple, yet mega-flavorful this season.
Holiday Grazing: Mediterranean Style
Fresh, bold flavors and shareable plates are the name of the catering game during the holiday season. That’s why Mediterranean cuisine should be at the top of your menu; it provides a fusion of taste, tradition, and trendiness.
Elevated Simplicity
There’s something undeniably satisfying about a menu that embraces simplicity. It demonstrates your confidence and mastery as a chef, showing that exceptional dishes don’t need to be overcomplicated.
In today’s culinary landscape, diners hunger for a return to simplicity, seeking wholesome ingredients presented honestly to let each component’s true essence shine. Trimmed-down menus not only satisfy this desire for authenticity but also streamline operations, reduce waste, and enhance profitability.
The Future of Food is Simple
The beauty of simplicity extends to presentation, too. Minimalistic plating highlights the visual appeal of your dishes and makes them Instagram-worthy. A well-presented, straightforward dish captures the attention of your patrons and social media followers alike, bringing new customers to your door.
Less is More
Consumers can’t get enough of salmon, and this versatile protein is a perfect canvas for simplicity. Take the beloved Faroe Island salmon. Instead of masking its natural richness with heavy sauces, serve it on a bed of Italian-style lentils. A touch of charred lemon adds bright acidity, creating a dish that’s elegant and straightforward. Simple, right? But that’s the beauty of it. This approach ensures each bite celebrates quality ingredients and craftsmanship, blending flavors and textures that speak volumes without saying too much.
Quality Over Quantity
Quality doesn’t have to mean expensive. By focusing on fewer components, you curb waste, streamline prep, and make your kitchen more efficient. You can dedicate your energy to sourcing the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, innovating flavors, and mastering techniques to deliver a satisfying and memorable dining experience without compromising profitability. It’s a win-win for your customers and your bottom line.
Mushrooms’ Moment
Mushrooms are attracting massive curiosity. With their plant-forward power, nutritional supremacy, immune-fortifying potential, and eco-friendly cred, they’re a versatile, high-impact menu item.
Menu Movers
Diners can’t get enough of mushrooms’ umami depth and meaty bite. Tap into these trendy varieties that have expanded their presence on menus since January 2023.
| +1005% Morel Upscale sauces, risottos, meat pairing |
+392% Breaded Mushrooms Appetizers, salads, crunchy toppers |
| +207% Shimeji Stir-fries, soups, pasta dishes |
+195% Enoki Asian-inspired dishes, salads, hot pots |
The Plant Protein Alpha
Mushrooms pack textural richness into veg-forward plates, making them the ideal plant protein swap. Mushroom-driven dishes offer diners a craveable, familiar meat-free option. Their meat-mimicking qualities and ability to not just carry but enhance flavors make them the ultimate plant protein for flexing creativity.
Immune Fuel
Health-minded diners want immune-fortifying foods. Mushrooms deliver with B vitamins, riboflavin, niacin, selenium, and vitamin D—all proven immune boosters.
Sustainable Shroom Boom
Eco-conscious guests examine every bite’s impact. Mushrooms are low-footprint powerhouses with a sustainability story worth shouting.
| Growing one pound uses only 1.8 gallons of water and 1 kilowatt hour of energy. |
One square foot of mushroom bed space cranks out 6.55 pounds of mushrooms. |
| While using 1 gallon of fuel pumps out nearly 20 pounds of CO2, growing one pound of mushrooms creates just 0.7 pounds of emissions. | A single acre yields a staggering 1 MILLION pounds of mushrooms annually. |
**Source: AmericanMushroom.org
Sides that Speak Volumes
We all know how much pressure there is to keep things fresh and exciting while dealing with tight budgets and timelines. But here’s the thing – unconventional vegetables can really maximize your menu. Dive into the rich tapestry of funky, flavorful, lesser-used produce and let its untapped potential shine.
From Sides to Superstars
Whether roasting, caramelizing, or just sprinkling on fresh herbs and spices, side dishes offer an opportunity to make vegetables the star of the show through layers of flavor. It’s all about enhancing those natural essences without going overboard on prep or ingredients.
Flex Your Creativity, Not Your Budget
With a veg-forward approach, you can flex your creative muscles without straining your budget or staff. By emphasizing those fresh, vibrant flavors, you’re offering a perspective on plant-based cuisine that your guests won’t find anywhere else.
Up Your Catering with Large Cuts
As the festive season approaches, efficiency and profitability are paramount, especially when it comes to catering. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on flavor or creativity. Embrace globally inspired proteins that maximize your cost savings, dazzle guests, and streamline operations.
Maximize Profitability
Want to maximize your profits on proteins? Opt for larger, premium cuts of meat and portion them in-house. Larger cuts tend to be more cost-effective per pound and provide greater flexibility in portioning, allowing you to tailor servings to specific event needs and minimize waste. Stretch every ounce by utilizing trim for other menu items like stocks, fillings, or sides. Your food costs stay lean while you pack maximum flavor onto the plate.
Elevate your mains with trend-forward sides that pop with color and culture. Think golden, crispy fried plantains served with a tangy dip or rustic sofrito, creating an interplay of crunchy and creamy contrasts to your rich roast. These thoughtful touches, inspired by the vibrant and diverse Latin American cuisine, add a layer of sophistication and authenticity to your holiday offerings.
Latin-Inspired & Loaded with Flavors
Latin American cuisine offers a wealth of innovative flavors, perfect for chefs seeking global inspiration. Consider a succulent skin-on Butcher’s Block porchetta featuring a crispy chicharron-style crust and traditional sofrito stuffing. This showstopper can be sliced and served as an upscale special, making it an affordable choice for both dine-in and catered events.
