Sustainability, Local Sourcing & Nutrition Top 2010 Restaurant Menu Trends

Foodies listen up. The National Restaurant Association has released the top trends expected within the food and hospitality industry during 2010. In a press release dated December 1, Sustainability, Local Sourcing and Nutrition were quoted as the hottest Menu Trends for 2010.

OSI Restaurant Partners, whose portfolio of brands includes favorites such as Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill and Carraba’s, has already mastered two aforesaid trends; sustainability and nutrition, in their popular chains of national eateries.

Local sourcing of goods, however, is easier done on a, well- local level. Allowing proprietors to create and utilize local partnerships has proven successful for the forward thinking company, whose Leawood location consistently ranks favorably when it comes to customer satisfaction and is known for community involvement.

Larry Kime, Managing Partner of Bonefish Grill located in Leawood, has a long history of supportive efforts within the community in which he works and his own family resides. Understanding the importance of supporting local vendors, Larry had been looking for additional local resources to promote in his establishment long before the release of the national report that slated “local wines” as the #1 beverage trend for 2010.

After a chance meeting with Cindy Reynolds, owner of local vineyard Somerset Ridge in November of 2009, Bonefish Grill of Leawood was serving local wine- and lots of it, even prior to January 1 of this year.

Recognized for fish that is flown in fresh daily as well as their signature appetizer, Bang Bang Shrimp, it was important to Larry that the wines chosen from the local vineyard would enhance the flavor of the entrees and add to the positive dining experience of customers. Larry and his managing staff hand selected three permanent menu additions that will be available at the Leawood restaurant. In addition to a Chardonel and Somerset Ridge Flyboy Red choices, a 2007 Cuvee Rouge Reserve that is exclusive to the restaurant has already proven its popularity among patrons.

It’s just the first week of January, and OSI Partners’ Bonefish Grill brand already takes front runner position in many of the top 20 trends including #1 locally grown produce, #6 nutritionally balanced children’s plates and #9 gluten-free dishes. To view the entire report visit The National Restaurant Association Press Room or download the list in pdf format.

Tags: Bonefish Grill, Fish, Fresh Fish, Larry Kime, Leawood, Local Wine, National Restaurant Association, Somerset Ridge, Trends, Vineyard, Winery