NRN selects 2001 MenuMasters Award winners
Nation's Restaurant News presents the seventh annual MenuMasters Awards, a program honoring outstanding research and development in the restaurant industry. MenuMasters, sponsored by Ventura Foods LLC, showcases the industry's expertise in adding excitement to the dining experience through trendsetting R & D programs and menu promotions.
The criteria for selecting the MenuMasters include the effectiveness of product introductions that set new standards in innovation and the use of well-prepared, quality ingredients. The winners fill market needs, such as this year's timely concentration on low-carbohydrate dishes.
The 2001 MenuMasters Awards are presented in seven categories as follows:
| Best Healthy Choice Menu Selection: Fresh Choice Restaurants - Rolled out at the 41 Fresh Choice restaurants, this heaping bowl of healthy food includes chicken, corn, bell peppers, white beans, tangy tomatillos, and mild green chilies seasoned with cilantro and garlic. |
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| Best New Product Rollout: Champps Americana - A big hit at the chain's 39 locations, this innovative starter features shrimp, chicken and pork dumplings in a bamboo basket with sesame stir-fried vegetables and scented jasmine rice. |
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| Best Menu Revamp: Bennigan's Grill & Tavern -An expanded menu, including new additions like the Big Irish Burger and enhanced items like O' Riley's Ribeye, helped this 283-store chain increase same store sales by 5.5% in 2000. |
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| Best Menu/Line Extension: Subway Restaurants -This 14,800-unit chain added to its menu with a line of four gourmet sandwiches, including horseradish roast beef, Southwest steak and cheese, asiago caesar chicken, and honey mustard melt. |
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| Best Limited-Time Offer: T.G.I. Friday's - A balmy island treat, Tropical Coconut Chicken Fingers feature crisp, coconut banana-battered chicken tenders with colada honey mustard sauce, served with rum glazed vegetables and island rice. |
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| Best Independent Operator Menu: Tribeca Grill - This New York City favorite from the Myriad Restaurant Group keeps packing them in with a menu that includes rare seared tuna, arugula salad, and Tribeca chocolate torte. |
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| Best On-site Operator Menu: Chartwells Educational Dining Services/Compass Group -This innovative and extensive menu of vegetarian and vegan soups, entrees, and side dishes is being rolled out at more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide. |
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| Chef/Innovator: Johnny Law - A tip of the toque to this chef for helping expand Chili's menu to include items such as Asian-influenced lettuce wraps, Southwestern egg roll, and citrus-fired chicken and shrimp. |
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| Hall of Fame: Richard Melman - This industry pioneer is being honored for 30 years of food and restaurant innovation, starting with R.J. Grunts in 1971 and now extending to more than 75 restaurants nationwide and in Japan.
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