Menu Development

The planning and organization of a menu is one of the keys for the success of food service establishments. Starting from the consideration that food is strongly related to the social and cultural background, the course analyzes the gastronomic and nutritional trends of the last decades and how they have impacted food production, at any level. Food nutritional facts, food allergies and intolerances, the variety of eating habits are slowly changing foodservice approach when planning a menu.
The course explores the history of menus and their development and offers students an overview of a variety of menus commonly offered. 
The goal of the course is to analyze all factors that contribute to the success of a good menu planning, starting from the relationship between the menu and marketing and continuing through the many steps that are necessary to provide an accurate, complete and functional work. Advertising, market search, suppliers and products search, cost and labor control will be fully covered and students will learn how staff, equipment, and facility can impact a menu. 
Emphasis will be placed on contemporary nutritional habits and on patrons expectations when eating out. Students will be involved in the comparison of local foodservice establishments menus with an analysis of the nutritional balance of their dishes