Do you have any bread? Anyone who has ever worked in a restaurant will cringe at these five words, especially if the answer is no. While complimentary bread has long been a staple of American Hospitality it has fallen out of favor in many restaurants, especially casual fine dining places.
While there is no way of really knowing why this trend has started, it is likely a reaction against the cheap, tasteless bread supplied in most chain restaurants and casual eateries, as well as a response to that fact that bread consumption had been in decline for most of the 20th Century.
But things have started shifting, with bread consumption back on the rise, spurred on by the resurgence of artisan bread. Traditional bread suppliers are offering a wider range of authentic bread, some bread bakeries making bread similar to the style that would have been made 1,000 years ago.
This resurgence of quality bread bakeries offers a unique experience for restaurants to provide bread but with a unique twist that is more specifically catered to their cuisine, aesthetic, and clientele.
Casual French Bistro: If you own a casual French restaurant, skip the baguette and opt instead for some peasant sourdough. This distinctively tangy and hearty bread will be a welcome treat for your guests while reinforcing the charmingly rustic ambiance.
Italian Restaurant: Forgo the expected Pane Italiano and opt instead for the richness of Sesame Semolina, a play on the traditional Pane Siciliano. Your guests will love the creamy interior, the crispy sesame crust, and the way it pairs with a nice drizzle of olive oil.
American Traditional Restaurant: The Parkerhouse is the staple of American bread: slightly sweet, buttery interior inside a crispy shell. While this bread gets it starts in 1870’s Boston, it is an oddly neglected classic is the perfect way to up your dinner roll game without going too far.
Traditional bread suppliers are giving bread service a new wind in the restaurant industry. They allow restaurants to fulfill a common expectation of their customers without having to sacrifice their commitment to quality or culinary vision.
If you have any questions about restaurant bread delivery, contact our bakers at Hartford Baking Co.