Why plan menus

We eat the meat and I save the carcass, wings, and bones for stock. I also use the celery tops in the stock as well! And extra bread can be croutons or homemade breadcrumbs. Menu planning can be a bit addictive. Once I started, a whole new world of food and ways to eat has opened up for me.

I hope you follow me there. As a life-long learner, nothing tickles me more than to learn a new skill or fact or something useful. I have found the wonderful world of YouTube cooks who are more than delighted, for free, to give me a lesson on how to cut an onion or the best ways to debone a fish.

Really fun! I have also found so many great videos that literally show me how to make a dish. All I have to do is follow along. And the more I practice the better I get and you will too! There is a whole world of food in our local grocers or online. Food that you will probably love but have never tried.

Maybe one of these will be your new foodie favorite! If you are not a planner you can have a weekly menu plan, new each week, by joining me every Monday when I share my menu plan for the week.

Subscribe to get tons of ideas and inspiration sent to your inbox. Plus, my Inspiration Home Decorating eBook. Your email address will not be published.

I really appreciate your helpful post today. Thanks for your tips! I will work at doing better menu planning. I used to be a better planner but since the kids have moved away, not so much anymore. Your post has encouraged me to start again. So thank you! Yvonne, many thanks for the reminder. I, too, hate waste and sometimes those leftovers hide, if not intentional about using them. Will be trying some of your favorites. Yvonne, I commend you for being the best kind of homemaker.

You are an excellent example, encourager and teacher. I have been following your blog for a long time. The classic categories of menu types include- Static menus- Used in quick service and casual restaurants. The menu remains unchanged each day so customers know what to expect for quick grab orders. Static menus can be printed or written on a menu board that is located above the cashier station. Coffee houses and fast food restaurants often have their menus located right behind the ordering station.

Cycle menus- Used in non-commercial foodservice, corporate dining, schools and healthcare facilities. A cycle menu is set for a specific length of time before changing. For example, hospitals use week long timeframes to serve their patients as most don't remain in care for over that length of time. Cycle menus are also planned around different seasons.

Daily or single-use menus- Used in fine dining and for special events. They often feature local products which are only available on certain days. Daily menus are single-use and put together for parties, banquets and other catered events. Other menu categories Menus can also be planned according to these categories as well.

Advice for staying innovative in a competitive foodservice industry is to go outside of the industry for inspiration. Look to trade shows, industry magazines and other food vendors for ideas. Know what the competitors are doing and then establish ideas based around trends but maintaining the uniqueness of the restaurant itself.

By understanding the trends, the menu planning will speak to the brand of the restaurant and attract like-minded customers. At the end of each billing cycle or each year, do an in-depth analysis of what's working and what isn't then adjust accordingly. Keep the customers in mind when menu planning. One way to do this is establish a source for customer feedback. Once this information is in hand, it will be easier to adjust the menu accordingly. When the time comes to create new items for the menu, ensure the dishes continue to align with the brand and business goals.

Some ideas to think about when being inventive include- 1. Be externally focused As mentioned, ideas come from many places not just the restaurant kitchen. A possible partnership with idea makers can help shake up a menu. Culinary creativity coupled with strategic marketing Combined creativity with culinary awareness to create a strategic marketing plan to introduce innovations to the marketplace. Encourage contribution Ask questions of the team to engage creative thinking.

Explore new culinary trends that match the vision of the brand and will delight customers. Competitive analysis Understanding statistical analysis of market trends will be valuable in deciding which trends customers will enjoy on the menu. Taste test Ensure the quality and flavor of innovative menu items match the brand and also taste great. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Nutrition and healthy eating. Products and services. Free E-newsletter Subscribe to Housecall Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics. Sign up now. Menu planning: Eat healthier and spend less With these tips and tricks from seasoned menu planners, you can eat better and save money. By Mayo Clinic Staff.

Show references Duyff RL. Make quick, easy meals and snacks. New York, N. Zeratsky KA expert opinion. The exact benefits of meal planning are a little different for everyone, but I find most reasons fit into three main categories.

Meal planning is the simple act of planning and writing down any of your meals for the week or month! Plan for yourself or plan for your family. Plan to eat wholesome meals, and plan a night out or two. The goal is not to start from zero for every single meal. There are a lot of reasons why I think meal planning and meal prepping rock, but I think they all fit into three main categories: saving time, saving money, and having more control over your food choices.

This reason is the most appealing to me. I love saving time! Some people need to save more time than others.