Restaurant Table Tops

The National Restaurant Association held its annual show last week in Chicago, and we want to share some of the top food trends that were on display during the show.  Writer Bret Thorn wrote the article, Top Food Trends from the 2012 NRA Show on Nation's Restaurant News (NRN) website, and here are some excerpts from it.

Unlike previous years, pricing was not the prevailing theme- food quality was. Premium products were on display as foodservice operators try to get the one-up on their competition. Free-range pork from Spain and coffee from single origins were trending at the show. Other highlights included:

• Desserts- Both rich desserts and low-sugar, multigrain desserts were appealing to operators, while smaller pre-portioned single serving desserts were also a hit.
• High- tech foods- Fruit juice with lecithin stored in nitrogen charged cannisters were served in foam form, like whipped cream. Frozen pearls of balsamic vinegar or hot sauce intended to burst with flavor in your mouth were also featured.
• Southeast Asian flavors were in demand at show. Foods and sauces from Thailand and other countries were featured.

image source: NRN.com

READ FULL ARTICLE

All of these great food trends can not be a success at your foodservice establishment without the proper restaurant equipment and supplies. You can choose from over 12,000 on our US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies website. We carry everything from flatware and table setting products to commercial kitchen equipment. We've been doing this over 75 years, so we are a name you can trust!

It's Friday and Here's the Scoop: US Foods is featuring some great food products in this quarter's Scoop magazine and we're going to start with Homestyle Chicken Tenderloin Fritters today. Also on our plate (and maybe yours soon) are the delicious grilling sauces available at US Foods (hint: these go great with the Fully Cooked Naturally Applewood and Hickory Pit-Smoked BBQ Pork Loin Back Ribs mentioned in the Friday Scoop a few weeks ago).

Patuxent Farms® makes great poultry products and their breaded homestyle chicken is delicious. It costs less than half the price of whole-muscle breaded chicken without sacrificing quality. So you can save and savor the flavor! Firm texture, crispiness and taste are qualities found in this great product. The Homestyle Chicken Tenderloin Fritters make a great appetizer or entree, and whole Homestyle Chicken Breast Filets are also available to make great sandwiches or to serve as a main course with your favorite sauce on top.

Speaking of sauces, US Foods is serving up international flair with their great preservative-free sauces made with high-quality, authentic ingredients. These sauces encorporate a variety of hard-to find specialty ingredients and have delicious, unique, authentic flavors. You can feel like you're South of the Border when you taste the Mexican Adobo and Beer Sauce. This rich, tomato-based sauce combines warm chile, beer, cumin and garlic to create an earthy, smoky sauce with hints of sage and honey. This flavorful barbeque sauce complements pulled pork deliciously!

Let's head east to Portugal now and enjoy the Portugese Churrasco Sauce. This rich sauce compares to authentic Portugese churrasco, and is made with red peppers and piri piri chiles. This sauce is ideal for dipping with snacks such as tortilla chips and has a warm pepper note and pleasant citrus tang. Heading further east, we come to the Korean barbecue sauce, which works great on all your grilling barbecued favorites! It's dark, sweet, and glossy, with the great combination of soy, ginger, garlic and sesame. These delicious sauces are a great addition to your meals, so don't you think it's time to get international and sauce things up on your table?

Be sure to choose just the right ramekins or sauce cups to serve these great sauces. We have a variety of these foodservice supplies at US Foods Culinary Equipment and Supplies. These decorative accents to your plate come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Visit our website and view the more than 12,500 restaurant equipment and supplies available online. We have everything you need to equip your foodservice establishment from restaurant pots and pans to commercial kitchen equipment.

We’d like to share a little information about our Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies Top 10 best sellers so far this summer. Although summer didn’t officially start until the third week of June, we’re basing our “unofficial” summer period for the months of June, July, and August. June is now over and we reviewed our sales data, coming up with our top selling products for the month.

10) VersaPour Clear 60 oz. Pitchers 832820- Case of 6 now priced at $17.99

       A summer must for serving iced tea, lemonade, soft drinks, water, and any other cold beverages

9) Swivel Club Style Barstool 447998- Now priced at $58.99 each

      Comfortable sturdy and affordable bar furniture

8) 16” Aluminum Pizza Pan 801840- Now priced at $6.19 each

      Lightweight durable pizza pans

7) Windsor Medium Weight Dinner Knife 781345- Box of 12 now priced at $4.39

     Economical lightweight flatware

 


6) 8” Plastic Salad Bowl 832317- Now priced at $5.39 each

     Decorative black plastic bowls for everyday use

5) Half Size Sheet Pan 806188- Now priced at $18.49 each

     Always in the top 10, one of our customer’s all time favorites

4) Self Adjusting Table Glides 861364- Set of 4 now priced at $9.99

     Keep those tables level with these inexpensive accessories

3) Value Half Size Sheet Pan 808792- Now priced at $9.39 each

    Natural finish light duty pans

2) Tredlite Vinyl Sponge Matting 683299- Now priced at $9.19 per linear foot

    Prevents fatigue caused by standing for long periods of time

And the best selling product in June at Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Sales was:

1) Economy Full Size Sheet Pan 881437- Now priced at $7.99 each

    Medium duty aluminum pan for your baking needs

These are our best selling supplies for June, but we also carry a full range of commercial kitchen equipment. Our product selection includes refrigeration, ranges, and food prep equipment, as well as bar equipment and supplies. With nearly 12,000 products sitewide, you need look no further!

Recipe Week returns next week at Superior Products. Each day next week we will be featuring a new recipe submitted by our associates here. Highlighted after each recipe will be restaurant equipment and supplies that can be used to prepare the recipe.

Along with the recommended tools for perfecting the recipe, our Superior Products website offers over 11,500 foodservice equipment and supply products. Many of these are stocked in our 4 restaurant supply warehouses, located throughout the country. Shipping of these products generally occurs within one business day after order is processed, and are delivered in approximately 3 to 5 business days.

We have been in business for over 75 years and have a large selection of commercial kitchen equipment auch as double door refrigerators and restaurant ranges. We feature all of your dining room needs, including restaurant supply linen and table covers, restaurant glasses and a great selection of china and table top accessories.

Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies offers a variety of restaurant supply linen and table covers for your dining room and patio seating. We carry Marko by Carlisle vinyl tablecloths in their Classic, Fashion and Designer Series lines. Many different colors are offered in each of the lines, and we stock some of the more popular colors in our restaurant supply warehouses.




In addition to vinyl tablecloths, Superior carries cloth napkins and tablecloths from both Marko and Snap Drape. Our linens are made from materials such as polyester and cotton/polyester blends, and come in a variety of colors. Vinyl table padding is also available for extra protection for your table tops.


Table skirting manufactured by Marko and Snap Drape are also offered by Superior Products. Skirting clips are available in velcro and snap-on styles. We also carry specialized covers, such as trash can covers and beverage dispenser covers, and offer such accessories as mobile skirt caddies.






To accentuate your restaurant table top setting, choose from a variety of candle, lamps and fixtures. Our large selection of china and glassware will help you choose the perfect restaurant dinner plates and restaurant glasses to complete your table top setting.   

Superior Products has been a leader in the foodservice supplies industry for over 75 years. With the majority of our products in stock and ready to ship, you will generally receive your order within 3 to 5 business days.

VIC FIRTH^®  GOURMET MILLS

All Vic Firth® Gourmet wood products are handcrafted in Maine & carry a lifetime guarantee.

• Vic Firth® Gourmet Mills are made from the finest American hardwoods and are available in a range of natural, stained and high-gloss finishes. All styles are shown at: http://www.vicfirthgourmet.com.
   
• The majority of the wood used is purchased from a local FSC certified supplier and we encourage all of our suppliers to participate in this program.  All of the scrap wood and sawdust are used as fuel to heat our factory.
   
• Available in a variety of styles, sizes and finishes, Vic Firth restaurant cooking supplies complement any kitchen décor and table setting. Just as important, Vic Firth mills, shakers and rolling pins are thoughtfully designed, meticulously crafted tools built to deliver a lifetime of service to both professional and home chefs.

Pepper & Salt Mills

• The difference between the salt and pepper mills is the mechanism.
   
• Pepper mills have a stainless steel mechanism as you are grinding pepper.
   
• Salt mills have a nylon mechanism as you are crushing salt to deliver variable granularity for salt; if salt gets any moisture it will stick together and it won't stick to the nylon.

4” Sierra Mills

• Sleek contemporary design, which is perfect for white tablecloth restaurants.
   
• Available in either pepper or salt mills.
   
• Made with American hardwood, specify mahogany stain, black stain or maple.

6” Columbia Mills

• Tired of pepper dust on your tables? The Columbia series mills offer the perfect solution.
• Also called the "Upside Down" mill, designed to be stored on it's top, so when you set the mill down the mechanism doesn't leave any pepper dust or salt crystals.
• Made with American hardwood, specify mahogany stain, black stain or maple.

12” Mario Batali Signature Series & 17” Newport Natural Wood Mills

• Mario Batali, one of the country’s top chefs, has partnered with Vic Firth Gourmet on the design of the stylish “Mario” Signature Series of peppermills and salt mills. The 12” Mario Batali Signature peppermill and salt mill are in stock in rock maple with black stain and cherry wood, 17” Newport in mahogany. View other sizes, wood choices and colors on their website.

• Exacting chefs want and need complete control over the seasoning of their dishes — and Vic Firth® Gourmet Mills give them precise control through a patented “Lock and Grind” grinding system. This unique mechanism ensures perfect consistency – whether fine grinds for fish, medium grinds for gravies or coarse grinds for meats.
   
• Grinding is performed in a two-step process:
  
  • First, the peppercorns are crushed to release their natural oils and flavors.
     
  • Next, they are ground to the chosen consistency for perfect results every time.

Cleaning Your Vic Firth® Gourmet Mill

• Unscrew the top nut and remove the top. Empty any remaining salt or pepper.
   
• Turn the mill upside down and pop out the rod by tapping it firmly against a hard surface.
   
• Clean the mill with a dry brush or cloth (683436 5/8” x 8¾” brush)
   
• Push the rod back in from the bottom, making sure it goes through the grinder ring until it pops into place.
   
• Fill the mill with salt or pepper.
   
• Put the top back on: MAKE SURE THAT THE METAL KEY CLICKS IN ON THE ROD.
   
• Screw on top nut while pushing up on the rod so it is flush with the bottom of the grinding mechanism.
   
• The tighter the nut, the finer the grind.

Custom logo imprinting is available with no minimum order! Great for country clubs, resorts, restaurants, and casinos; to use and to sell as gifts! Call Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies at 866-636-2338 for pricing and details. To order these quality foodservice supply products, click on the links below.

122432, 159275, and 120319 are in stock in our restaurant supply warehouses and  available to ship out by the next day business day.

When it comes to restaurant furniture, Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies has a large variety to choose from. We offer products from major furniture manufacturers such as Holsag, Waymar, Furniture Imports, Carroll Chair, MTS Seating, Virco, Vitro, and AC Furniture. Choose from dining room chairs, banquet chairs, barstools, custom table tops, retro booths and outdoor furniture.

Choosing the right furniture is no easy task. It is recommended that once you narrow down the style of chairs, barstools, or table tops you want, you should request upholstery, wood stain and/or laminate swatches. You can order these on our website by submitting the form, or you can call our Sales department at 1-800-328-9800. These swatch samples will help you match color and pattern to surrounding color scheme and layout of area.

Custom restaurant table tops are available from Waymar in 10 different styles, including wood perimeter, metal edge, and all wood surfaces. Be sure to allow yourself enough time to receive shipping of these table tops, or any other furniture. Because custom furniture is made to order, it can take up to  6 to 8 weeks from time of ordering to actual date of delivery. Most furniture has to ship by truck even in smaller quantities such as one, and this includes table tops. If you don't have the time to wait for custom table tops, we stock dual sided walnut and oak laminated or cherry and black laminated table tops. These have to ship by truck, but because we stock them in our restaurant supply warehouses, you will receive them within a week after ordering.

Below are links to some of the manufacturers whose products we offer. If you find a pattern that you like that we don't carry at www.superprod.com, please contact us and we can supply you with a quote.

FEATURED FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS:

• Holsag
• Waymar
• Furniture Imports
• MTS Seating
• Carroll Chair
• Virco
• AC Furniture
• Vitro

We have several featured restaurant bar supplies on sale at Superior Products right now. Shop for featured items such as restaurant glasses, and bar equipment such as direct draw dispensers with draft beer towers. With over 250 products on sale, you can stock up your bar now and save big.
 



As an added bonus - We are now offering free shipping on all in stock products with the exception of our furniture selection, which includes retro booths and restaurant table tops. Many of the bar supplies and equipment we are offering on sale right now qualify for this free shipping offer. If ordering large equipment, please be aware that free standard shipping shipping may apply, but this does not include liftgate service or inside delivery.


 

Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies carries a wide range of commercial kitchen equipment to meet all foodservice needs. Sandwich and pizza prep tables are an important part of your kitchen setup, if your menu features sandwiches, salads, or pizzas. Before you buy, you'll need to decide on the size and food pan options you need for your bar or restaurant application.

Kitchen prep tables base their capacity by the number of 1/6 size (sandwich prep) or 1/3 size food pans (pizza prep) they will hold in the top opening, like a 8 pan, 12 pan or 30 pan unit. When ordering a sandwich prep unit, you will need to know how many food pans you will need to hold your menu items. You can use larger pans, however, using your menu items, calculate how many 1/6 size pans you will need to hold these products. Compare how many 1/6 size pans you need to the size options listed. Note: the more pans that you require, the longer or deeper the unit must be. Once you've chosen the right sized unit, select a cutting board that will match the depth of the product being prepared. Always purchase extra restaurant pans you will need to rotate the product during the day. Order larger pans and interchange them with the 1/6 size pans when you vary your product mix.

What products can I serve with the warmers? 
Soups, chili, vegetables, sauces, gravies, melted cheeses, and some hot chocolates and fudges, etc.

What do I need with the counter top warmers?
Most warmers are sold without the food pans, so be sure to check the specifications for the correct size pans and covers. Always keep extra pans / insets to help rotate the food product!

What size pans should you order for the counter top warmers?
The round warmers use 7 quart or 11 quart inset pans and covers. Superior offers adapter plates to hold two, four, or seven quart insets.

The 12 x 20 and 12 x 27 rectangular warmers use the standard hotel or steam table steamer pans. These are available in full and fractional sizes. (Most use full, half and/or third size pans.)
To hold the pans in place, use adapter bars available in 12 or 20 for the standard 12 x 20 or the oversized model.

What is the best way to maintain the temperature of hot food?
To maintain the hot food temperature while holding the food product, be sure to use a cover with the inset, maintain the proper water level in the well, and stir the food product regularly.The gentle moist heat will maintain the food temperature, but will not raise the serving temperature. Solid, slotted covers, and hinged notched covers are available on round warmers; solid, slotted, dome, and telescope covers are available on the 12 x 20 warmers.

What electrical power will I need for counter top cooker/warmer or warmer?
Most brands of counter top warmers include a cord and plug, and have a 120 Volt NEMA 5-15P plug.
As a matter of standard policy, always consider the wattage and/or voltage, and plug style of any appliance before purchasing.

What does the term "Use wet or dry" mean?
Most of these commercial kitchen models use water to better transfer the heat from the heating elements to the food product, providing even temperatures and less hot spots or scorching of the food. If you let a water only model run dry, you will burn out the element. The wet or dry model works best with water (wet), but you will not hurt it if it runs dry.

Look for Superior Warmers or Cooker-Warmers and Soup Kettles, and Vollrath Food Heat N' Serve Warmers and Merchandisers.

Superior Products carries a wide range of restaurant equipment and supplies, including furniture. You'll need to make some calculations before buying furniture for your dining room and dining areas, such as bar areas and lounges. There are a few guidelines for configuring the dining room in any restaurant. For fine dining establishments, you should allocate 14 square feet per person served. In a restaurant/cafeteria setting, the space requirement is 12 square feet per person. For banquet halls and institutional layouts, the standard is 10 square feet per person. In a quick service restaurant, the target is 12 square feet per person.

Below is a chart listing restaurant table tops and their respective seating capacities. These capacities apply to round tables.


 

In order to  select the right furniture to complement the décor of your restaurant or bar, you should obtain samples to help pick the right stain, laminate and upholstery materials. Whether the concept is quick service or white tablecloth, Superior offers a variety of furniture types to fit every need. These include custom table tops, seating for restaurant counters, chairs and barstools, and custom diner booths. 

In addition to barstools and tabletops, Superior Products offers a full range of bar equipment to complete or upgrade your establishment's decor. Choose from a large collection of in-stock Libbey restaurant glasses and other restaurant bar supplies.