Hottest Restaurant Trend of the Year: Growing One’s Own Vegetables

A recent survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association revealed that growing one’s own garden vegetables is 2010’s top restaurant trend. More independent restaurants grow vegetables for going green and cutting operation costs.

The Blue Water Grill in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for example, has increased the size of its garden from 1,000 square feet to about 3,000 square feet. The gardens now provide supplies of tomatoes, squash, peppers, sweet corn, herbs, and strawberries. Restaurant owners believe that such practice allows them to better control the quality of food and lower the food costs. Some restaurants also open their gardens for tours. During tours, creative chefs may offer to cook something “special” from the garden for guests.

In August 2010, I shared an ABCNews video of how a restaurant in Midtown Manhattan is able to use a rooftop garden to produce the “green supplies” for its business. Even though this idea may work better for independent restaurants because they have fewer restrictions as compared to restaurant chains, it appears to be a practical trend in either rural or urban areas. Isn’t it nice?

References:

Associated Press: http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok10052010

Picture was downloaded from huntergathercook.typepad.com via http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok10052010P

Comments

Yammer: A Social Networking Site Exclusively for the Workplace

Effective internal communications among employees are related to some desirable organizational outcomes, such as robust morale, a clear vision, low turnover, and high employee engagement. The question is what platform can serve the purpose. This ABC News video introduces “ Yammer ,” an exclusive internal communication tool for companies. A user must use a valid company e-mail address to sign up for an account. Once an account is validated, the user will be led to the company page that is pretty much like a Facebook page. The difference is that only the users whose e-mail addresses share the same domain can see the wall and communicate with each other. I have no question about whether Yammer could be a useful internal communication tool for companies, but I just wonder: how many social networking sites do people need for communication? Why people have to “create” so many platforms or channels for “effective communications”? To many people, Facebook is only for “friends,” whe

Luxury vs. Millennials and Their Technology: The Ritz-Carlton (By Julia Shorr)

Embodying the finest luxury experience, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC has been established since 1983. In 1998, Marriott International purchased the brand offering it more opportunity for growth while being independently owned and operated. They are known for their enhanced service level as the motto states, “Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen”. The luxury brand now carries 97 hotels and resorts internationally and is attempting to keep the aspects of luxury while keeping up with the trends of the technologically improving generations. The Varying Demographics of the Target Market The Ritz-Carlton’s typical target market includes: business executives, corporate, leisure travelers, typically middle-aged persons and elders, and families from the upper and upper-middle class section of society . This infers a large range of types of travelers in which all are similar in that they are not opposed to spending extra for the luxurious ambiance. However, with

How to choose the best credit cards for travel (By David Mai)

Traveling in a Post-Pandemic World If there was one thing the pandemic taught us, it was that everybody became hesitant and unwilling to travel. Shaver (2020) of The Washington Post shared an interesting tidbit in which Americans were actually staying home less during the pandemic, according to research that tracks users' smartphone data. The quarantine fatigue affected nearly everyone who lived an active lifestyle or loved to be out and about in the world. It was simply not a safe time, and too many regulations were in place that deterred consumers from traveling for leisure. Consequently, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the travel and hospitality industry. Yet, there is no doubt that people will yearn to travel again when the pandemic is fully lifted. Around this same time, credit card companies have developed unique ways to retain business with consumers who look to maximize rewards and benefits for their journey. A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

Linchi Kwok, Ph.D.

Search This Blog