PUT YOUR WORK ON DISPLAY
From food trucks to open windows in brick-and-mortar establishments, guests enjoy being able to see into the kitchen where they can watch their food being made. If your layout does not allow this, you can tell these stories yourself by explaining the way you make your food or sharing photos of your visits to local farms and markets on social media.
INVITE THE FARMS IN
If you rely on local farms for your ingredients, share their names proudly on signage or in the menu. You might post a board that you can update season-by-season, noting where certain ingredients were harvested and what dishes they’re featured in. (This can be a smart way to boost sales, too.) Guests enjoy learning that you support your local community, and knowing that they’re eating something grown or raised nearby makes them feel good about dining with you.
GROW HERBS IN PLAIN SIGHT
Potted herbs in the windowsill add colour to your restaurant and make diners feel close to their food. Consider labelling each pot to educate guests and add another layer of transparency to what you do. As a bonus, growing your own herbs means that you always have a fresh supply on hand, ready to snip and serve, as you need them.
PROMOTE YOUR NATURAL INGREDIENTS & METHODS
Consumers are looking for foods like this, so if you’ve got them, flaunt them! Consider adding descriptive language to play up natural flavours (ground vanilla bean, crushed strawberries) on the menu, and train your servers to describe how herbs are locally grown or vegetables are pickled in-house.
