Dennis Knows Food

Challenge + Justification = Action. A simple equation to maximize the success.In this week’s episode we’re talking about the “who, what, why and how” important to success. Plus, we’ve got this week’s new products and there’s lobster news in the literary world. We're in the midst of Easter season, a widely observed religious holiday. For this week’s foodie fact we're asking - what is the most popular non-chocolate Easter candy? Bonus points for how many of them are sold during the Easter season. The answer in this week's episode! Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-the

We're breaking from our usual format with this episode and pulling an unpublished segment from the archives!In this episode we're sharing an unpublished portion of our Christmas 2017 podcast that, due to time constraints and bustling activity here in the office, was just never finished. Tune in as your host, Luke LaBree, shares one of his favorite traditions - movie night - featuring seven foodie films to enjoy with your friends and family. Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website: www.DennisExpress.com. We look forward to your feedback, send an email to podcast@dennisexpress.com!

After a brief hiatus we’re back in the studio! Our first podcast of 2018 is a double-length episode with special guest Katrina Petersen.Where has the podcast been for the last 2 months? Under construction! Since completing our most recent major expansion we’ve added over 20 new members to the Dennis Paper & Food Service team. So, we’ve been busting down walls to make room! Construction is now nearly wrapped, the podcast studio is back together and we’re recording once again. In this episode we've got info on new items, where to register for our 2018 food show, Maine's salmon industry is in the news, advice on Instagram for restaurant operators and a discussion on social media in foodservice with guest Katrina Petersen. Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include registration for our 2018 Food Show on our website: www.DennisExpress.com/foodshow. Our new Recipe Center at www.DennisExpress.com/recipes. The source article o

In this week's episode we've 13 new products, a report about c-store predictions for the future and sound advice from a toilet paper salesman. For this week’s foodie fact, revealing the source of our inspiration would give the answer away... Do you think you know what popular dessert first came about as a savory dish in an 18th century France. You'll find the answer in this episode. Also in this episode, our new Dessert of the month page is mentioned. Featuring seasonally inspired items in limited quantities. To learn more about our Dessert of the Month page you can jump directly to it on our website here: www.dennisexpress.com/dessert-of-the-month Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website: www.DennisExpress.com. The C-Store report from King-Casey here. And the link to order a copy of Michael Mirarchi's book "Sales Wisdom from a Toilet Paper Salesman." We look forward to your feedback, send an email

In this Thanksgiving episode of Dennis Knows Food we're talking with a special guest about olfactory senses, the power of pies and more.This week we're going unscripted with a reminder about new products, our foodie fact for the week and new developments in "local" social media exposure from Facebook. Plus, a special guest with extensive small business, foodservice experience, joins the podcast to talk about tactics for driving sales during Thanksgiving and the holiday season. This week many of us will gather around a table with friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving. Naturally or foodie fact for the week is inspired by one of America's favorite foodie holidays… What 1950's convenient-food-innovation was directly inspired by Thanksgiving? The Answer at the end of the podcast. Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website: www.DennisExpress.com. Our Pie Case page with information on RTB pies and rel

In this episode of Dennis Knows Food we've got Maine food news, national coffee news and influences for restaurants in the coming year.Restaurant Business Online just published an article that discusses what restaurants can expect to see as influences in 2018. We're going to discuss some of the insights they've shared, and we've provided a link to the full article below. We're also taking a look at a couple items making headlines recently, wild Maine blueberries and everyone's favorite caffeinated beverage - coffee! We've got those topics and a slew of recent inventory additions to share with you in this week's podcast! This week saw the celebration of Halloween! So, for this week’s foodie fact we’re taking inspiration from candy… What was the first individually wrapped penny candy in America? The Answer at the end of the podcast. Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website: www.DennisExpress.com. The article a

In this episode of Dennis Knows Food the IFDA is taking us into the minds of independent operators!This week the IFDA released an in-depth 194 page report, prepared by industry research partner Technomic, about independent restaurant operators. It details market trends, challenges, economic outlooks, changing formats and a whole lot more. We're sharing just a few of the many insights from it in this episode. Members of the IFDA can download the report from their website - www.ifdaonline.org. We've also got this week's new products, including a new fresh soup from Blount Fine Foods, which you won't want to miss! October 13th saw the celebration of National M&Ms day. This week's foodie fact asks - What do the two 'M's in M&Ms stand for? The answer at the end of the podcast! Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website: www.DennisExpress.com, and the IFDA website, linked above. We look forward to your feedba

In this special unedited episode of Dennis Knows Food we're talking about convenience foodservice and freshness to-go. When it comes to food from "c-stores" - even with convenience foodservice sales exceeding $34 billion dollars a year - negative consumer perceptions still exist around the category. Recent research has shown that there is plenty of room for continued innovation when it comes to foodservice in c-stores, and that putting quality first in certain areas can have a positive impact on food sales. October 1st saw the celebration of National Pumpkin Spice Day, so naturally, our foodie fact for the week is inspired by pumpkins! The first pumpkin pies were not as we know them today. Discover their humble pie beginning in this episode! Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website: www.DennisExpress.com. The article about algae as a food source [LINK] and the article about wild blueberry health b

In this episode of Dennis Knows Food we’re sharing tips to help prepare your kitchen for the fall foodservice season. Foodservice operators take tremendous pride in their kitchens and equipment. Now that we’re through the hectic pace of the summer season now is a good time to clean equipment and ensure everything is in proper working order. And, if you’re looking for some fall-food inspiration we’ve assembled a list on our website featuring some of our favorite fall items. There’s even a section dedicated to all things pumpkin, with over a dozen different pumpkin related products.This week saw the celebration of National Coffee Day on Friday Sept. 29th – and this week’s foodie fact is inspired by coffee. The first “what” was invented at The University of Cambridge to let people know if the coffee pot was full or not. Find out what it was in this episode!Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website – www.DennisExpress.com. And our Fall Favorites at www.dennisexpress.com/fall-favo

In this episode of Dennis Knows Food, we're cozying up to comfort!The foliage will soon start to change, and with that will come consumer cravings for comfort food. Creating signature dishes inspired by comfort food has been gaining momentum in recent years, and with autumn on the horizon it's the perfect time to start thinking about your unique comfort-inspired cuisine. On that same note, if you’re looking to add warmth and rich flavor to your menu, soups are a great way to do it. We're ladling up the latest on our soup lineup. This week saw the celebration of National Date-Nut Bread Day, and for this week’s foodie fact we’re asking – What’s a date? We most often use them in their dried form, but could you explain what dates are and where they come from? Find out in this episode! Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website - www.DennisExpress.com. And our line-up of soups at www.DennisExpress.com/soup. We look

In this episode of Dennis Knows Food, hungry diners want to know "What's new?" For operators, raising the awareness of new items through any available channel -- website, social media, in-house advertising or on the phone with customers -- can have several benefits; including satisfying regulars who want to try something new, add-on sale opportunities, and attracting new customers. If a customer wants to know what's new at your establishment, how available have you made that information for them? In this episode we're going straight to the source to discuss "what's new?" in foodservice. This week saw the celebration of National Cheeseburger Day, so for this week’s foodie fact, we’re asking… If all the burgers eaten by Americans in a single year were arranged in a straight line, how many times would it circle the Earth? Find out in this episode! Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website -

Sometimes all it takes to be an innovator in small business is a willingness to not give up. In this inspirational episode of Dennis Knows Food, we're sharing the story of a country store operator who kept her business running, growing and adapting - one small innovation at a time - despite all of the changes and challenges that were thrown at it. You won't want to miss this one! So, connect your bluetooth devices, plug in your headphones and turn up the volume - it's story time! This week saw the celebration of National Trail Mix Day, and our foodie fact for the week is inspired by trail mix. What is trail mix called in Australia? Find out in this episode! Subscribe to the Podcast - Subscribe Now (Subscribe with iTunes) Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website - www.DennisExpress.com. We look forward to your feedback, send an email to podcast@dennisexpress.com!

Robots are coming, and they're bringing spatulas! This week saw the celebration of National Peach Pie Day, and our foodie fact for the week is inspired by peaches. We're doing something a little different with this week's fact, tune in to find out! In this episode we're discussing tips for success in your next marketing campaign. We'll explain why focusing on your target audience, using the right language, engaging potential customers at the right time - and in the right place can have an impact on the results you see. Australian researchers have made a potential breakthrough in the fight against deadly peanut allergies. And Google now has a computer capable of making the perfect chocolate chip cookie. These topics and more in this week's podcast! Ten new items have been added to our inventory this week. We'll share one that comes in several bakery-fresh varieties. You can always find more information our newest products on our website, including their item number, brand and pack size through the links below

It's Thursday, August 17th, and today is National Vanilla Custard Day! Our foodie fact is not inspired by vanilla custard, but rather by one of this week's new product additions, calamari. Find out where the word calamari comes from in this episode! In episode 26 of our podcast we'll be discussing five ways to boost fall sales. Autumn is a favorite time of year for many folks, and it's an ideal time to adjust your menu to capture new sales opportunities. We're also going to talk calamari, you'll find out where the name came from, how it's eaten around the world and learn about a sauce that pairs perfectly with it. The sauce we're talking about is "tarator," not to be confused with tartar sauce. Follow the link below to our Pinterest page to see the recipe. And on a humorous note we've got a short punny story to share with you. Fourteen new items have been added to our inventory this week. We'll share more about those in this episode. You can also find more information on these items, including thei

It's Thursday, August 3rd, and today is National Watermelon Day! Our foodie fact is inspired by this Summer favorite. The United States is the world’s 4th largest producer of watermelon. How many pounds of watermelon are grown in the US each year? In this week’s podcast we’re picking up the phone – well, your customers are anyway. We’ll touch on the growing impact of smart phones on foodservice. We’re also taking a closer look at the psychology behind good menu design. There’s actual science behind getting customers to order and spend more. For example, did you know that alluding to past time periods can trigger happy memories of family, tradition, and nationalism?” One study says, “Customers sometimes like the feeling of tasting something wholesome and traditional.” Connecting emotionally with your food can draw out these happy and nostalgic memories resulting in more satisfied customers. Lastly, a slew of new items have been added to our inventory - sixteen to be exact, more about those in this week’s episo

It's Friday, July 28th, and this is episode 24 of Dennis Knows Food! Our foodie fact is inspired by one of our new products additions this week. This week we have a 2-part question: Jennie-O was founded in what year, and today they produce how many different products? The answers at the end of this episode. Three new products have been added to our inventory this week. We’ve added fresh Tender Browned Turkey Breast from Jennie-O. In beef we’ve added Flat Iron Steaks from South Shore Meats. From McCain, Heavy-Battered French Fries feature a crispy textured batter with puffy and buttery potato insides. These fries serve up great taste with an unforgettable audible crunch. In this weeks episode we're diving into insights about how the demands of consumers are impacting menu development. We'll share how trends across multiple generations are shaping the direction of dining. We're also talking about a tender cut of beef. The second most tender in fact, Flat Iron steaks. We've posted a new recipe featuring flat iro

It's Friday, July 21st, and today is National Creme Brûlée Day! We're taking the theme for this week's foodie fact from Creme Brûlée - What was the estimated calorie count for the world's largest Creme Brûlée? The answer in this episode! This week we’ve added 6 new items to our inventory. Now in for produce we’ve added a premium Asian style stir fry medley. From the artisan bakery experts at Turano comes a new Brioche Burger Roll. We're adding more options to our line of Burger Maker beef patties with fresh 5/16″ thick 2.7oz patties. Lastly, in non-foods we’ve added 3 sizes of blue Nitrile gloves from Royal. In this podcast episode we're focusing on growing your takeout business. Earlier in the week I was on the road attending the IFDA Smart conference. There I was met, networked with and shared ideas among our industry partners and peers. Presenting were two keynote speakers who's messages had a important message in common - more about that in the podcast! I also met an individual who shared with me some

It's Thursday, July 13th, and today is National French Fry Day! Every July 13th, the nation joins in celebration of an culinary staple, French fries! That means our foodie fact for the week is inspired by French fries! During WWI, which army influenced the coining of the term "French fries" among US soldiers; the Russian, Belgian, or French army? The answer in this episode! This week we’ve added nine new items to our inventory. From the world of pizza comes a new dough option, 16″ presheeted pizza dough from It’ll Be. From Kellogg’s we’ve added Eggo brand heat-n-serve 3″ buttermilk pancakes. We’ve added an epic new low fat gelato from Honey Hill, Candy Bar Crunch. Lastly, from Juicy Juice we’ve added six new individual serving juice flavors. These come as a pack of 40, 4.3oz juice boxes. In this weeks episode we're talking coffee, with recent news on the health benefits of coffee giving frequent consumers reason to celebrate. Plus, there's hot news for cold brew, the math is in and there's opportu

It's Thursday, July 6th, and today is National Fried Chicken Day!That means our foodie fact for the week is inspired by chickens! What is the greatest height an unprotected egg has been dropped to earth without breaking? The answer in this episode! Three new items have been brought in to our inventory this week. We’re adding to our impressive selection of beef products with two of them. First up are mouth-watering steak tenders from South Shore Meats. We’ve also added a fresh 7oz Angus beef patty to our lineup of Burger Maker steakburgers. New in dairy products this week we’ve added Strawberry Gogurt from Yoplait which come in a pack of 96/2oz tubes. In this weeks episode we're giving a shout out to the cheese makers at Great Lakes Cheese Company. We share insights on how to engage with Millennial diners. Plus, there's a BBQ contest going on right now that could take you and your smoked-turkey recipe to Austin, Texas! Production Note: We've refreshed our podcast artwork! If all goes according to plan it sh

It's Thursday, June 29th, and this is Episode 20 of the Dennis Knows Food Podcast! Today is National Almond Buttercrunch Day! This week's almond-inspired foodie fact asks "What conditions do almond trees need to produce almonds?" The answer in this episode! This is a rare week where we do not have any recently added inventory products to discuss, we'll explain more about what that means in this episode. Instead, we're taking the opportunity to discuss how the strong relationships between our team, our Account Executives and our customers can lead to delicious and profitable results. In this unique episode of Dennis Knows Food we're heading to the coast of Maine to talk business strategies and fresh lobster meat with a couple of special guests - a Dennis Account Executive and a seasonal businesses operator with saltwater in his veins! Links and product information mentioned in this episode include our website at www.DennisExpress.com. And the lobster products page of our website at www.DennisExpress.