US Foods introduced its new spring product line featuring regional favorites from across America.
Taking diners on a culinary road trip across the country, the offerings include new burger items from famed New York butcher Pat LaFrieda; baked beans and bacon made with Kentucky bourbon; and a new twist on an American favorite, apple pie topped with premium ice cream made from America’s dairy land, the Midwest.
“Every region has a favorite dish, and we have set out to capture and enhance those favorites so that no matter where you are in the country, you can still get a true taste of the regional flavors you crave,” says Pietro Satriano, chief merchandising officer, US Foods.
“What makes these products great isn’t just the amazing taste,” he adds. “It’s the stories behind them that add to their appeal and serve as a testament to their quality and regional authenticity.”
Making its debut in the spring launch is the winning recipe from the inaugural US Foods Next Top Product Contest, the Chef’s Line Southern Style Shrimp and Crab Cake. Created by Texas chef Sean Frye, this dish is bursting with sweet and tender crab, shrimp, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of cayenne pepper.
Held last fall, the Next Top Product Contest featured recipes from US Foods customers nationwide, with the top 30 entries narrowed down to three through public voting on the company’s Facebook page.
The final three chefs brought their recipes to Chicago for a final showdown, where Frye’s crab cake reigned supreme.
“Chef Sean took the traditional Southern hushpuppy and turned it into the best crab cake you have ever tasted,” Satriano says. “These crab cakes are made with top-quality ingredients and pack a spicy Cajun kick that diners everywhere are sure to love just as much as his regular customers in Texas.”
The spring product launch also includes two new additions to the popular Metro Deli line: All Natural Deep Fried Chicken Breast and All Natural Oven Roasted Chicken Breast.
Additionally, Molly’s Kitchen pays homage to two regional flavor legends by introducing the Philly Cheese Steak Snackin Bun and the Barbecue Flavored Beef Snackin Bun.
Rounding out the new product line are breakfast items that can be enjoyed at any time of day, including a sweet pancake mix made famous by two brothers in Texas and flavorful muffins made with natural ingredients.
The muffins come in three varieties: Cinnamon Apple Filled, featuring Michigan Rome apples; Blueberry Buttermilk, made with juicy Georgia blueberries; and Double Chocolate Chunk, popping with pure semisweet chocolate chips.
“We traveled the country in search of delicious foods and flavors that allow us to celebrate the culinary specialties that come from all across America,” Satriano says. “This flavor-packed new product line offers something to our customers in every segment that they can use to attract diners and keep them coming back for more.”
