2021 Trends
Sodium Reduction Tips
When people say life in all its forms is made up of stardust, they’re not kidding. In fact, our entire solar system is made up of elements life here uses to thrive. Sodium is one very important part of that lifecycle system. It is the catalyst that sparks the reaction and continues to do so…
Read MoreEducating the next generation of culinologists
For more than five years, CBCI staff members have been sharing their knowledge with students in the Food Science and Nutrition program at the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) in Chicago. Vice President of Research & Development Julie Luby, Corporate Research Chef Zal Taleyarkhan, and President & Executive Chef Charlie Baggs all teach at…
Read MoreProduct development au naturel
We devote a lot of product development hours working in the ‘natural’ and clean label space. Because that’s where our clients are, and of course, it’s driven by consumer demand. Over the past handful or so of years, the clean label trend has been fueled by a desire among younger generations to know how and…
Read MoreDesire for hospitality runs deep – pandemic or not
Our industry is in flux for sure. People have gone through a difficult time with the pandemic conditions over the past couple of years, and their behavior has changed indelibly as a result. Once again, people are comfortable cooking at home, enjoying their family while cooking and eating together. Yet, we all still yearn to…
Read More5 key points to consider in building new R&D kitchens
I’ve designed and assisted with the build out of several R&D kitchens in my career. Recently we built out our company’s product development kitchen. Here are the key points we considered in the design. Determine what’s important to kitchen users First, I interviewed my staff to make sure to understand what is important to…
Read MoreChicago B.Y.O.B. Restaurants
Chicago’s wide-ranging neighborhoods are full of amazing restaurants and cafes, and a ton of them are BYOB. You can bring your own drinks to all sorts of restaurants in Chicago. So grab your favorite bottle and a great group of friends, and head over to one of these restaurants. These restaurants are CBCI approved. Pizza Art…
Read MoreLooking for Barbecue in Chicago?
You can find all kinds of barbecue in Chicago from sweet and smoky to spicy. Make a pitstop at any of these barbecue hotspots, and don’t forget to bring a large appetite. Check out this list from CBCI. Honky Tonk BBQ Head over to the Pilsen neighborhood for some smoky goodness from Honky Tonk BBQ. Owner…
Read MoreChicago Breweries with unbelievable taprooms
Over the years Chicago has become well known for housing some of the best local breweries in the country. Several of these craft breweries have enriched the pride of locals. With amazing taprooms around the city, CBCI has created a list of some of the best breweries to visit this summer. Forbidden Root In Chicago’s West…
Read MoreIconic Chicago Restaurants
Chicago is a city well known for its variety of restaurants. This includes world-renowned fine dining, celebrity hot spots, and local favorites. Not to mention all the Michelin stars and James Beard awards the city has racked up over the years. Here you’ll find a list of some of Chicago’s most famous restaurants from cult…
Read MoreTikTok is Taking Over the Food Industry
The social media app TikTok has grown immensely in popularity and influence in the past year. Part of its rapid growth is a result of its friendly and short videos. TikTok is quickly taking over the culinary industry as a major source for new recipes, particularly for beginners in the kitchen. This short-form style of…
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