Trends in Hospitality

Thanks to an ever-expanding global economy, the hospitality industry has become one of the largest growth sectors in the world. With customers becoming wealthier and more technology-savvy, hotels and accommodations must keep up with the increasing demands on their amenities and hospitality offerings.

One of the largest trends in the hospitality industry is the availability of wireless internet through the use of virtual private networks, or VPNs. These networks provide internet access that is fast, reliable, and secure – helping customers keep in touch with colleagues and social networks while traveling.

Another rising trend involves the availability of entertainment devices such as CD players, iPod devices, and flat-screen televisions in guest rooms. Thanks to the Infinity Menu and other digital eMenus, customers have direct communication with the hotel front desk, concierge, and room service at the touch of a button. This lets you order food and drinks via room service or arrange a spa massage appointment from the convenience of your guest room.

However, not all hospitality businesses are embracing the use of electronics. Some hotels are also promoting the “unplugged” philosophy that promotes rest and relaxation away from electronics. This can be an ideal niche for hotels that cater to vacation tourists wanting to get away from it all.

Many hospitality destinations are also focusing on design features that help make guest rooms a more homelike environment. Some of these trends include adjustable lighting, harmonious color schemes, aromatherapy, water fountains, electronic fire places, and other items that contribute to the ambiance.

How to Get Ahead in Food Service Using Technology

Working in the food industry would seem to have little area for growth in technology, though there is plenty in the culinary arts. Although, having an attractive menu offering delicious dishes is one of the critical aspects of running a successful restaurant. Here we find much potential in technology advancement.

The eMenu offers innovation with simplicity, allowing you to create sumptuous meal plans with pictures, nutrition facts, detailed descriptions as well as last-minute changes to the menu for your restaurant. You no longer have to wait for printers to prepare your latest designs, and you can change your menu according to the year, season or daily menu options.

The Infinity Menu streamlines the ordering process using robust tablets and other touch screen devices. Patrons order from a digital menu at the table with a tablet-style menu. The ordering process takes less time and cuts out many errors in the process. Diners can look through the digital menu that contains pictures of each item, including appetizers, entrees, beverages and desserts. When ready to order, customers simply touch the screen to make their choice, sending special orders and substitutions straight to the kitchen.

The process does not end after the order is placed and sent to the customer, but the eMenu can create checks automatically, making the billing process simple. Restaurant guests do not have to wait for a paper check and can add other items automatically, without waiting for restaurant staff to make changes. Table turn-around time is quicker than traditional ordering systems.

The complete process offers less error with a more visually appealing menu that is easy to use. Customizable features that change according to the needs of your business, makes digital menus an attractive and reliable resource, decreasing wait times and increasing table turn around.

E-Menus in Restaurants

Today’s food service leaders are hungrily devouring the information available about eMenus. Customers love digital menus, and restaurants are scrambling to give customers what they want. Digital menus allow customers to use their iPads or other tablets to access a restaurant’s menu. The digital menu can be used for the entire process, from ordering to paying the check.

Some places are opting to let customers use their own tablets, while others are providing tablets for the customers. Some places that offer tablets for the customers affix the tablets to the table or the wall. This is so that customers cannot take the iPad, and are less likely to damage it.

Infinity Menu is the best in the business when it comes to creating affordable and stylish digital menus. Infinity Menu aims to wow patrons and staff alike with their sleek design options and problem-solving placement settings. If you are curious what using an eMenu would be like, but are not sure if you are ready to make that commitment for your business, you may want to check out Infinity Menu’s great free trial. This will allow you to experience the ease and style of using a digital menu. These menus are truly the wave of the future. You can expect them to become commonplace in restaurants in the near future. Instead of being left behind, be a trail blazer and make sure you get an eMenu before any of your competitors do. Your business will thank you.

Food and Technology

Food technology has come a long way since the Neolithic mortar and pestle. Thanks to advances in technology, restaurant-goers can now access a variety of different devices for selecting, ordering, and even preparing their food.

One of the dominant trends in restaurant technology is the use of high-tech eMenus, such as the Infinity Menu and other types of digital menus. These allow you instant access to the different meal options, along with the ingredients and nutritional information entered for each diet item.

You can also use these menus to keep track of your bill as you order different meals, sides, and beverages. Some devices even contain a waiter paging function that allows you to signal to your waiter whenever you’re ready to order or need a refill.

Another recent invention in food technology is the automatic pasta vending machine. This device allows for chefs to quickly cook their pasta noodles by inserting the dry noodles into one side of the machine. After a period of time, the automatic pasta vending machine dispenses hot, steaming portions of the cooked pasta. Some of these models even include a heating device that warms your sauce as you wait.

An invention that has become particularly popular among upscale restaurants is the chilled “doggie bags” for unfinished bottles of wine. This allows you to cork your wine bottle and keep it fresh as you go about your evening. For some restaurants, this invention carries over to food containers – keeping them warm for hours after you’ve left the restaurant.

Reality Menus

Reality TV is growing and growing, and with a long list of Cooking Challenge shows, it all comes down to who is judging and what the prizes are. On few occasions the prizes of small challenges have led to the sale of the winning dish at a well-known restaurant, a fantastic advertisement for any aspiring chef.

One example of this was when Betty’s adult grilled cheese sandwich won a challenge and landed on the menu at TGI Fridays!

Lucky for the restaurant, this particular reality show is filmed in its entirety a couple of months before it airs on TV. This gave the restaurant’s owner a little time to print new menus that featured the prize winning dish. Another factor that the owner had to consider was that the dish was only going to be featured for a limited time, and this happens often for all restaurants and their different promotions.

This is where E-Menus from Infinity Menu would definitely come in handy. E-Menus make creating and featuring additional menu items a snap. And when it’s time to shine comes to an end, it’s just as easy to change the menu all over again. Quick and easy technology such as this might make this kind of prize more prevalent. Not only is this a big break for those aspiring chefs to get their name and flavor palate out to the general public, it is also fantastic publicity for the restaurant.

Even though the eateries chosen will already have some clout in the restaurant industry, people who may not have chosen to eat there might decide to try the dish of their favorite contestant. The instant social networking capabilities also provide much opportunity for publicity and advertisement. The quick travel of information via Facebook and twitter will make it incredibly difficult for people not to know about this special promotion, whether they watch the show or not.

Maybe something to think about.