Industry News for December 14, 2024

ezCater, the #1 food tech platform for workplaces in the US, today announced a new partnership with Crumbl, the nation’s fastest-growing dessert company. Workplaces across the country can now order Crumbl’s fan-favorite cookies on ezcater.com and the ezCater app for meetings, celebrations, and everyday moments at work. A recent ezCater survey found that 76% of US workers enjoy small treats during work at least once a week and 30% indulge daily, with cookies as one of their top three treats. With ezCater's nationwide reach, Crumbl franchisees can now reach more high-value customers and further capitalize on the demand for treats in the workplace. Crumbl franchisees will have access to ezCater’s Catering Growth Platform, which is designed to help restaurants get valuable, incremental catering orders and manage their catering operations. The platform combines online ordering and catering management software with reliable delivery solutions and award-winning customer service.   

Constellation Culinary Group has announced the appointment of Chef Peyton Leffingwell, the new executive chef at Bistro at the Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art + Design.  Leffingwell, who has already assumed the position, is spearheading all food and beverage at the Sarasota Art Museum, including the curation of the Bistro’s day-to-day menu and special events catered by Constellation Culinary Group, taking place in the museum’s event spaces.  

Chef Leffingwell will also take on a larger role within the Constellation Culinary Group family, offering his services for group events across the Tampa Bay region. He will lead Constellation Culinary Group’s larger teams to provide catering services for weddings, social events, professional dining and more throughout the Tampa Bay region. 

A native of Houma, Louisiana, Leffingwell honed his high standards for taste, presentation and service working with head chefs and kitchen staff in high-profile kitchens, including New Orleans’ Restaurant August, Sarasota’s Sage Restaurant and Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament. He holds an associate degree in culinary arts and related services from the Louisiana Culinary Institute and boasts a comprehensive culinary skill set and passion for creating deeply flavorful and innovative dishes with a flair for Italian, French and American cuisine. His specialty is combining classic cooking techniques with modern flavors and local ingredients to create seasonal, visually stunning recipes. 

Food recalls have impacted grocery stores and restaurants in recent months at what feels like a heightened level, which can be a positive, indicating that suppliers are taking proactive safety measures. However, recalls can also keep consumers from purchasing certain products or dining at certain restaurants. 

The last thing any business in food services wants is an employee introducing contaminants into food accidentally, but mistakes can be made, and safety equipment can fail on occasion. For example, waterproof bandages can fail, and employees may not immediately realize a wound has been exposed. DrySee is the first color-changing wound covering that will turn blue if the seal of the bandage fails providing a visual indicator that the employee should wash up, recover their wound, and take other precautions