As part of its Virtual Summer Food Festival, Brakes has launched a series of videos aimed at providing a chef’s eye view of practical support and kitchen inspiration, helping operators tap into latest trends and time saving ideas.

The ‘In the Kitchen’ podcast-style series launches with a look at how some favourite multi-application ingredients can help save labour and time, as well as creating a variety of on-trend dishes.

The Labour Saving episode of In the Kitchen will be followed by a look at the post-COVID trend towards nostalgia and comfort food, which is a big theme for 2022.  From familiar flavours with a cheeky twist to inspiration from around the globe, this edition will focus on what’s trending and show some fantastic menu ideas to help.

Other programmes in the series include Mediterranean Stretch, which offers ideas to capitalise on consumer interest in food from the Mediterranean region, with growing interest in the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa, joining long-time favourites like Italy, Spain and Greece.  This will be followed by Easy Experimentation, looking at consumers’ insatiable appetite for the latest flavours and how simple twists on traditional dishes can add excitement to any menu.  The programme culminates with the hot topic of Sustainable Flavours, helping operators understand the sustainability trend and share practical solutions.

Mark Irish, Head Development Chef at Brakes, said: “We wanted to create a series of videos that are presented by our chefs who have the greatest understanding of the unique pressures of today’s kitchen.  By showcasing dishes inspired by the latest food trends, we have created a wide variety of recipe ideas that are simple in their execution, but look and taste fantastic.

“We are facing a perfect storm of labour shortages and increasing inflation caused by global events which are having a huge impact on the ability of chefs to run efficient kitchens.  Our video series takes the findings of some of the research and insight that exists and turns that into practical, chef-led ideas and recipes.”

The first episode is available now, with regular updates over the course of the Brakes Virtual Summer Food Festival, which runs until the end of July.

As well as chef videos, the Brakes Virtual Summer Food Festival will feature a range of new content available to show visitors.  https://www.brake.co.uk/virtual-food-event/video