“Tapping trends all in one bowl. I created comfort-food combinations, including a tasty meatloaf over smothered homestyle mashed potatoes, with an adventuresome side of vegetables served with sweet cornbread. These bring back the closeness of the family and encourage kitchen table stories to be shared over a beautiful meal. We also are offering bowlfuls of colorful, better-for-you food.” —Iraj Fernando, Southern Foodservice Management
“In the next year, we are looking to reintroduce some comfort favorites reimagined as bowls to marry the two concepts. We plan to roll out a series of ‘comfort bowls.’ These will take the very successful bowl concepts but vary them with homestyle comfort foods. Think macaroni and cheese or mashed potatoes topped with smoked pork or braised short ribs, fresh veggie toppings and specialty sauces. —Lawrence Wright, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina