Injecting Creativity Into Spring Tabletop Planning

tabletop planning

With the warmer weather, our BHS/Weiss team finds ourselves very busy with responding the expanded needs of our customer base. Many of those restaurant, catering and club customers are preparing for their move outside.

We recently finished our annual run at the Club Manager show at Glen Island Casino in New Rochelle and we are preparing for this month’s semi-annual tour at 41 Madison in Manhattan. Although the club managers and their teams have their own unique set of tabletop planning needs from the customer that we will tour the show rooms of 41 Madison with, there are a number of common themes.

It seems as if each season begins with the black and white of tabletop. This year, we are finding that our BHS/Weiss customer base is looking to dress up their white tabletop. In many cases we are finding that culinary teams drive color decisions with their menus. We are suggesting the infusion of some color to support a special menu item, special luncheon dishes and tea service which is once again growing in popularity.

We are seeing an increase in demand for black matte. I like it and I am happy to suggest it for casual dining but we don’t suggest it to our customers for fine dining. What we are helping to create is a move towards mixing in pastels like the sea-foam look from Dudson and beige in matte finishes. We are also integrating the use of wood boards from FOH.

There are big changes afoot for the Spring/Summer ‘19 season with flatware. Many of our club and catering clients are moving towards colored flatware with black, copper, gold, in both satin and matte. If you remember our discussion last year surrounding the relationship between the cost of beef and the use of a heaver knife. The market has moved back toward better cuts of beef and with that the demand for nicer sleeker steak knives.

  • Day & Nite
  • Food Export Northeast USA
  • Easy Ice
  • BelGioioso Burrata
  • RATIONAL USA
  • ERA Group
  • Red Gold BBQ
  • Imperial Dade
  • SFA Winter Fancy Faire

It’s been really interesting watching the evolution of plastic drink ware and “china” for outdoor dining. We are seeing a renewed interest in glass racks fitting their glasses and marking them that can easily be accomplished. We are working with our customers to cresting glasses for pour lines and it has a positive impact on the bottom line.

tabletop planningAs I get ready to get my comfortable shoes out and probably a couple of Aleves, it’s been interesting watching the evolution of 41 Madison. I’m encouraged by the changes that are being made by the new team there to accommodate the foodservice buyer. With a history of “retail” show rooms in many cases we were not a fit. But we have always gone, because, it’s a great place to go and read trends. However recently, we are starting to see more manufacturers with 41 Madison showrooms working towards accommodating our customers’ needs versus the demand for a large stocking buy.

The challenge with 41 Madison is that the “retail” showrooms for many years have not catered to foodservice buyers. We purchase too little and they want people to commit to large stocking buys. Whereas we buy for our customer’s needs. I go there to look at the trends. I think it will filter down to us in a few years and that more manufacturers will welcome the foodservice customer.

With this year’s tour, we are on the lookout for serving,  passing plates and trays.  Many of our customers are also searching for buffet items, including risers, special decanters and beverage service. Looking forward to a great Spring/Summer ‘19. Remember, we are here to share and assist.

  • RATIONAL USA
  • ERA Group
  • BelGioioso Burrata
  • Day & Nite
  • Easy Ice
  • Imperial Dade
  • Food Export Northeast USA
  • Red Gold BBQ
  • SFA Winter Fancy Faire
Liz Weiss
Liz Weiss is the former President and co-owner of Armonk, NY based H. Weiss Co., a division of BHS Foodservice Solutions. She is known nationally as one of the nation’s foremost authorities on tabletop design. The Michigan State graduate is also actively involved with WPO-Women’s Presidents Organization.