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The Future Menus Contest: Modernized Comfort Food

Calling all US and Canada* based chefs and culinary operators! Unilever Food Solutions has curated the biggest trends in 2024 that restaurants need to jump on with the Unilever Future Menus 2024 Trend ReportNow, Chef’s Roll has teamed up with them to offer you a chance to win BIG.

#ModernizedComfortFood is the fourth of five Future Menus contests to take place in 2024. By creating an original on-trend recipe, you’ll be future-ready AND in the running to win.


Register below and submit your entry by October 27th to compete for one of three $5,000 Grand Prize prize packages, or one of ten $400 Korin gift cards.

Huevos Rancheros Flatbread by Chef Cori Boudreaux
BBQ Bao Buns by Chef Sebastian Riviera

This contest is all about Modernized Comfort Food.

Comfort food as we know it is changing. Where once we saw comfort food as dishes that were familiar and safe, we’re making way for new recipes that reflect the heritage of the chef and the restaurant’s locale.

Through rich culinary storytelling and the chef’s
genuine emotional connection to the dish, diners are presented with new and fresh food experiences that feel and taste special. Read more about the trend below.


HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

  1. Registration: If you are interested in competing, register below immediately.
    • Upon registering, you will be provided with a link to submit your dish.
  2. Dish creation and submission. By October 27th, you must submit a photo and description of your original dish exploring the concept of Modernized Comfort Food.
    • How does your dish keep “comfort food” relevant to modern and adventurous consumers?
    • Your dish must also use one of the following featured ingredients from Unilever Food Solutions family of companies:
      • Knorr Professional Caldo (any)
      • Knorr Professional Liquid Concentrated Base (any)
      • Knorr Professional Hollandaise Sauce
      • Knorr Professional Caldo de Vegetales
      • Knorr Professional Brown Gravy
      • Knorr Professional Ultimate Base (any)
      • Hellmann’s Extra Heavy Mayonnaise
      • Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise
      • Hellmann’s Vegan Mayo Dressing and Spread
      • Legout Cream Soup Base
      • Sir Kensington’s Classic Ketchup
      • All products can be referenced or purchased here – Or from your favorite distributor.
  3. Judging and Winner Announcement. Judges will consider all submitted dishes and announce the winners on November 1st, 2024!

Looking for a little inspiration? Watch Chef Mikel Anthony create a Modernized Comfort Food dish in the Chef’s Roll Test Kitchen. For more foodservice inspo, check out the Unilever Future Menus 2024 Trend Report that’s rich with example dishes and more information.


REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Terms and conditions apply. The full contest rules can be found here.


French Onion Ramen by Chef Dana Cohen Mayer

PRIZES

  • Three Grand Prize Winners will be selected to receive:
  • Ten Honorable Mention Prize Winners will each receive:
    • $400 gift card to Korin

ABOUT MODERNIZED COMFORT FOOD

History is full of lost culinary treasures. Chefs, restaurateurs and recipe creators around the world are re-discovering local traditions, and reimagining dishes by looking to history for fresh ideas in an industry that increasingly demands authenticity. These artifacts of tables past are reappearing and rebranding with impressive deftness. It’s now possible to get mead at music festivals, offal is being sold as a delicacy and honey has never left. Chefs are fermenting and pickling all sorts and combinations of vegetables, fruits, and spices. New trends are wonderful and coupled with a historic relevance they’re even better.

In the quest for originality, it might sound ironic to look to the past, but what better way to show a new ingredient, a fresh concept, or a sophisticated technique than to apply it to a classic. There’s a simple joy in being served a familiar dish in a bright new way; it’s the best of both worlds.

Modernized Comfort Food is one of the five trends identified by the Unilever Food Solutions 2024 Future Menus Report. Based off of extensive research and expertise, the report is a rich resource for foodservice professionals looking to ensure their menus are future-ready now! Download the report here.


*Some restrictions apply. Click here for full rules.

Images courtesy Chef’s Roll and Unilever Food Solutions™.