5 ways to refresh your tabletop

Whether breaking the rules entirely, or reinventing tradition with a new twist, now is a great time to shake up what you’re serving guests – keeping them coming back for more. Here are five fresh ideas to bring something new to your tabletop.

Adding in just a few new elements to your existing tableware collection could introduce a dramatically different look. Appetizers, shared plates, desserts and chef’s specials are all great opportunities to mix in some trend-forward stunners to your standard tableware lineup.

Enticing guests with all the senses is another way to add something new to the experience. More people are open to trying food and drink with unusual textures, according to Mintel’s 2018  Global Food & Drink Trends. You can also put guests in touch with a richer sensory experience with your flatware. It might not register consciously for guests, but its feel, weight and design is one of their first impressions at your table.

According to a Nielsen Global Health and Wellness Survey, 32% of Millennials and 21% of Baby Boomers say they’d pay a premium for “healthier” products like natural and minimally processed foods. At the same time, they want a balance of health and indulgence. The right tableware – especially clean, minimalist designs – helps show off the vibrant colors of healthy ingredients, even when used in more decadent dishes.

With a booming demand for high-quality tea, the timeless drink is a rising star of the tabletop. It’s also a hot moneymaker. A premium selection allows operators to easily charge $10 to $15 per cup, and some chefs say they’ve seen it create up to a 400% increase in tea sales. Accompanying quality loose-leaf teas with elevated tableside presentations further enhances perceived value.

Guests are looking for more flexibility on when, where and how they dine. Serve guests wherever they want to sit – inside or out – with durable, beautiful new go-anywhere products. Offering al fresco dining can increase your restaurant’s total revenue by up to 30%, according to a study from the Simons Advisory Group. Melamine and other durable serveware options give the superior durability needed for outdoor or high-volume environments, along with being lighter weight, which makes them easier for staff to carry.

To explore more ways that Libbey’s fresh tabletop solutions help you turn today’s trends into amazing guest experiences and big profits, ask your Libbey sales representative for a copy of our new 2018 product introduction LookBook for more inspiration, or visit foodservice.libbey.com