Maple Leaf Foodservice is proud to announce the opening of ThinkFOOD!, a brand new, state-of-the-art learning facility at Maple Leaf Foods in Mississauga. The ThinkFOOD! Centre is devoted to product development, brand innovation, food education and customer relationship development. The 25,000 square foot centre houses several test kitchens, a breathtaking reception area, a tasting bar for sensory panels, a development lab and a kitchen stage for food demonstrations.
What is the philosophy behind ThinkFOOD? The THINK part is all about demographics and global trends, while the FOOD part integrates tastes, flavours, preparation techniques and new food technologies. When these two elements are married together, ThinkFOOD! provides an opportunity for innovation that can help you create exciting new menus for your patrons or develop new recipes and products that will meet your customer’s needs.
With a team that includes culinary food scientists, chefs, product developers, biologists, and home economists, ThinkFOOD! is the place where ideas are hatched, development is nurtured, and launches are executed with excellence. Whether you attend a festive culinary event or join chefs in one of the many test kitchens, you’ll discover that ThinkFOOD! is home to the latest in innovative thinking and technology. ThinkFOOD! is where we will partner together to launch future great tasting food.
The power of ThinkFOOD! was recently experienced by registered dietitian Elena Randall and her team from Diversicare, a leader in long-term care, residential care and senior’s housing. They visited ThinkFOOD! for new recipe ideas and enticing ways to creatively display and present food. She says her experience was fabulous and that the insights from Maple Leaf’s Corporate Chef, Tom Penna, were inspiring: “His insights really opened up people’s eyes and got us to look at food differently. You eat with your eyes first. Something as simple as stacking items, angling food differently or adding garnish can increase the appeal of what you’re serving. This is especially important when catering to seniors who may not have a hearty appetite to begin with.”
Let ThinkFOOD! inspire you too! Are you interested in working with our team to help you plan next season’s menu or develop new recipes? Talk with your sales representative and find out how the ThinkFOOD! centre can help you innovate, excite and create.