TREND:
     To get a head start on the hot new trends in appetizers, try some of these more exoctic trends that are just beginning to merge in the mainstream:
    Mini-burgers:  A back-to-basics movement, now offered with many exotic and ethnic toppings.  Most known as the "Slider".
    Satays:  From shrimp to cheese, it seems anything can be skewered and dipped.
    Lettuce Wraps:   For the healthy customer; contain mostly fruit, vegetables, spices and lean meats.
    Crab Cakes:  This versatile seafood lends itself to many shapes and flavors
    Tacos/Quesadillas:  New spins with more natural ingredients, as well as seafood and Asian twists.
TIP:
    Keep salt near stove in case of a grease fire.  Following a spill, sprinkle with salt immediately.  When the oven cools, brush off burnt food and wipe with a damp sponge.
    An inexpensive oven cleaner:  Set oven on warm for about 20 minutes, then turn off.  Place a small dish of full-strength ammonia on the top shelf.  Put a large pan of boiling water on the bottom shelf and let it sit overnight.  In the morning, open and air for a while before washing off with soap and water.  Even the hardest, baked-on grease will wash off really easy.

TIP-
Cleaning Stoves & Ovens.
    Keep salt near stove in case of a grease fire.  Following a spill, sprinkle with salt immediately.  When oven is cool, brush off burnt food and wipe with a damp sponge.
    An inexpensive oven cleaner:  Set oven on warm for about 20 minutes, then turn off.  Place a small dish of full-strength ammonia on the top shelf.  Put a large pan of boiling water on the bottom shelf and lit it sit overnight.  In the monring, open and air for a while before washing off with soap and water.  Even the hard baked-on grease will wash off easily.

TREND-
Appetizer Appeal and how to benefit.
    Appetizers are one of the most profitable categories on a menu.  They can boost the average check size and help to capitalize on the latest trends without redoing a menu.
    You’ll find these among the hottest appetizer trends in the United States.  How many are already on your menu?

The Top 8
1.  Fried Cheese
2.  Onion Rings
3.  Chips and Salsa
4.  Pizza or Bruschetta
5.  Spinach or Artichoke Dip
6.  Fried Veggies
7.  Shrimp or Shrimp Cocktails
8.  Sample Platters

Trend-
Asian Fusion:
    Eastern cuisines are making there way into America’s restaurants.  Stir fry restaurants, noodle shops and Asian theme concepts are popping up everywhere, from the chain stores to the independent restauranteur.  Authenticity does not seem to be their main focus but introducing new flavors and spices in a toned down flavor to match the American’s palate.  Stir fry restaurants seem to signify a fresh perception while the noodle shops are offering dishes that are comfort foods (pastas and noodles) which are served in a unique way.

Tip-
Sauteing:
    It is a simple technique that maximizes flavor while minimizing cooking time.  It is important to place the pan on high heat and lightly coat the bottom of the pan with oil.  When the oil is hot, place the food into the pan and do not overcrowd as this will cool down the pan.  After the first side is browned, turn it over and finish cooking, or if the food needs a longer cook time you can finish in the oven.

TRENDS:
Tea Houses-
     Tea houses have been popping up in every town throughout the United States with the rising popularity of specialty teas.  The teahouses have strived to recreate an English afternoon tea to a formal Japanese tea ceremony.  Each teahouse has created menus to accompany the theme.  There is nothing like a traditional tea sandwich with cucumbers, watercress and or goat cheese with the crusts cut off or a freshly baked scone.  Can you imagine tea scented buckwheat risotto or a green tea vinaigrette?  These are the innovative recipes that you can expect to see at these teahouses.

TIPS:
Employee mistakes-
     Mistakes are bound to happen but keeping them to a minimum is important and making employees responsible for their actions good and bad should be recognized and acknowledged.  Contests for the employees with the least mistakes made by a department is a good way to keep everyone watching over each other and working as a team.  The department with the least mistakes can earn a dinner or what ever is offered as a prize.

Trends:
Food On the Go-
     More and more families are looking for the conveniences of eating fine food in the comforts of their home or office.  Restaurants are offering "ToGo" meals at a reduced rate from sit down prices and also preparing meals that can be cooked at home but already marinated, portioned and accompanied by side dishes.  Other conveniences are prepared food stores that offer more then the basics.  There is a wide variety of choices for sides, salads, and entrees that are raw and cooked.  This allows the customer to feel like they have all the choices of putting together their own meal for their family.  These stores also provide wines, beers, waters, flowers, breads, desserts and other nick-nacks at the fingertips of their customers.  This trend of the family to eat at home with the convenience of the restaurant preparation allows the dual income family to have more time living and less time cooking.

Tips:
Keeping Grated Potatoes From Turning Brown-
     There are two ways from keeping potatoes from turning brown.  One way is keeping them in water.  The only problem with this is that they will lose their starch, so depending on what you are doing this may or may not be a good idea.  The other idea is to grate onion in with the potato.  Onion has certain compounds that aid in keeping the potato white.