Diners Seek Richer Menus
Eight of ten people surveyed consider restaurant menus incomplete and say they would like to know more about dishes' ingredients before ordering a meal, according to the World Menu Report 2011.
The report revealed that people need more transparency concerning where the food is sourced, how it is prepared and a meal’s nutritional value. Approximately 55 percent of those questioned agreed that restaurant- and canteen operators should provide such information. Almost 87 percent of respondents said that if additional information were provided, they would make healthier selections from the menu.
According to nutritionist Mai Maser, Estonians pay most attention to salinity and animal fat content when choosing their food. "Many catering establishments can help out by reducing the salt content in meals and providing relevant information," said Maser.
Taigo Lepik, executive sous chef at the Swissotel hotel restaurant, agrees that over the last years the need for better informed customer service in restaurants has increased significantly. "If a few years ago it was a priority for customers to verify whether there are any allergens in the food, then today they are also interested in the origin of the raw materials, the food's nutritional value and the existence of supplements, including smell- and taste strengtheners," Lepik explained.
The report was based on a study commissioned by Unilever Food Solutions with surveys in the US, Great Britain, China, Germany, Russia, Brazil and Turkey. A total of 3,500 people who dine out at least once per week were surveyed.
Ingrid Teesalu