“Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth…” It is with great sadness that we announce that John Houston passed away on Friday, May 1, 2015. Words cannot describe how much he meant to Houston’s, Inc. John’s honorable career as an Air Force pilot carried over to his work in the foodservice industry. He…
With the third wave of coffee among us consumers are becoming more and more aware of the coffee they are drinking. A quick cup of commercial blend is becoming a thing of the past as we are becoming more and more savvy about the blend of coffee, where it comes from, how it is roasted,…
Have you ever gone into a restaurant and contemplated the menu design and the effect it has on your overall dining experience? I would bet most haven’t; if you are anything like me, you are too busy ascertaining what you would like to eat rather than looking to see how the menu is arranged. But…
We’ve all probably heard of it. Heck, many of us have probably even tried it. Craft sodas are not new, after all, and there are plenty of commercial varieties available in our neighborhood grocery stores. Jones Soda. Dry Soda. Reed’s. Thomas Kemper. They are all out there, and they are all very good. But now,…
Coffee is grown in more than 50 countries around the world, most that lie in the Equatorial zone of latitude 25 north and 30 south, or roughly between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Production is best when grown at a high altitude, in rich soil, where the climate is sultry. Although coffee characteristics can…
Cinco de Mayo. A day of festivals, parades, and Mariachi bands, of food, beer, and celebration. It is celebrated in Mexico, especially in the state of Puebla, but has become increasingly popular in parts of the United States with a larger population of people with a Mexican heritage. Many people believe that Cinco de Mayo…
It seems that America has small batch, artisan, and culinary fever. From food to wine, beer to coffee, the trend is rampant in 2015. So why stop there? Bring on the cocktails! Culinary influences from the kitchen are trickling into cocktail bars, especially inside fine dining. In 2015 look for more infused spirits. And not…
What’s hot, black, and delicious, loaded with antioxidants, and only has about two calories per serving? If you guessed coffee, then you are exactly right. While coffee gives you more antioxidants than other food or drink we ingest—including fruits and vegetables—there are other healthful benefits to drinking at least a morning cup, and maybe even…
Having a hard time finding and keeping good employees in your restaurant? You might not be alone. As the economy in the United States is on the upswing, and restaurant growth is projected to grow for the 16th straight year, one would think that employees would be easy to come by, but it seems there…
Want to add complex flavors to your dinner items without breaking your bank? As diners’ tastes expand and as they are more willing to accept various layers of fusion and flavor, citrus is becoming the go-to staple for chefs, and even bartenders, in all genres of food and drink. According to Technomic Inc.’s MenuMonitor, “menu…