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Tricia Contreras

Tricia Contreras edits food and beverage newsletters and writes about news and trends in foodservice, grocery and the culinary world for SmartBrief.com

Articles From This Author

Food

Plant-based steak, seaweed products and customizable drinks on display at restaurant show

By Tricia Contreras
Published: May 25, 2023

Food

Combining automation and AI with the human touch

By Tricia Contreras
Published: May 22, 2023

Food

Fostering a sustainable future for wine and beverages – from the field to the glass

By Tricia Contreras
Published: April 24, 2023

Delivery driver hands a boxed food order to a customer

Food

Off-premises dining will continue to help restaurants grow in 2023

By Tricia Contreras
Published: March 15, 2023

A group of people cheers with cocktails and mocktails

Food

Beverage pros weigh in on the alcohol-free beverage trend

By Tricia Contreras
Published: February 27, 2023

An automated Jamba by Blendid kiosk at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta

Technology

Automation elevates on-demand foodservice options

By Tricia Contreras
Published: February 6, 2023

Seaweed and other forms of algae are gaining popularity as a food ingredient. (Photo of seaweed floating below the surface of the ocean)

Consumer Insights

Seaweed wave: Health, sustainability spur algae’s popularity

By Tricia Contreras
Published: January 12, 2023

Food and beverage trends to watch for 2023

Consumer Insights

5 food and beverage trends to watch for 2023

By Tricia Contreras
Published: December 19, 2022

Food

National Restaurant Association’s tech and innovation policy lead looks back at 2022, ahead to 2023

By Tricia Contreras
Published: December 9, 2022

Food

Q&A: CIA faculty discuss challenges, opportunities facing the culinary industry in 2023

By Tricia Contreras
Published: December 9, 2022

Food

Restaurants craft proprietary plant-based proteins that go beyond off-the-shelf products

By Tricia Contreras
Published: November 28, 2022

Flippy 2 at Buffalo Wings & Rings

Food

Restaurants reallocate some tasks to robots to deal with staffing shortages

By Tricia Contreras
Published: October 5, 2022

Plant-based foods

Consumer Insights

Plant-based foods that emphasize plants appeal to consumers seeking less-processed foods

By Tricia Contreras
Published: August 22, 2022

Foodservice Innovation Awards

Food

Checking in on 2021 Foodservice Innovation Awards winners

By Tricia Contreras
Published: August 15, 2022

SmartSummit: The role of technology in restaurant recruitment and retention

Technology

SmartSummit: The role of technology in restaurant recruitment and retention

By Tricia Contreras
Published: July 27, 2022

Food

Personal, planetary health drive appetite for plant-based foods

By Tricia Contreras
Published: June 27, 2022

The National Restaurant Association Show

Restaurant and Foodservice

Labor-saving tech, plant-based chicken and eggs among restaurant show’s top trends

By Tricia Contreras
Published: June 2, 2022

Image of a table photographed from above with plates of food and beverages

Food

Do more with less using the 5 Ps of menu innovation

By Tricia Contreras
Published: May 23, 2022

Yellow oyster mushrooms

Food

Chef Spike Mendelsohn on the magic of mushrooms for plant-forward cooking

By Tricia Contreras
Published: May 4, 2022

The Future of Food: The Role of Restaurants in Creating a Sustainable Food System

Food

SmartSummit: How chefs and restaurants are working toward a more sustainable food system

By Tricia Contreras
Published: April 27, 2022

Local sourcing can offer a solution to supply chain struggles

Food

Local sourcing can alleviate restaurant supply chain struggles

By Tricia Contreras
Published: January 24, 2022

Food and restaurant trends for 2022 include robots, sustainability

Consumer Insights

Food and restaurant trends for 2022 include robots, sustainability

By Tricia Contreras
Published: December 22, 2021

Worlds of Flavor: Global influences and local roots drive the future of dining

Restaurant and Foodservice

Worlds of Flavor: Global influences and local roots drive the future of dining

By Tricia Contreras
Published: November 11, 2021

Q&A: Pastry chef talks about the techniques, inspiration behind her edible works of art

Restaurant and Foodservice

Q&A: Pastry chef talks about the techniques, inspiration behind her edible works of art

By Tricia Contreras
Published: November 1, 2021

Restaurants turn to tech tools to streamline vaccine requirements, verification

Restaurant and Foodservice

Restaurants turn to tech tools to streamline vaccine requirements, verification

By Tricia Contreras
Published: September 18, 2021

SmartSummit: Schools grapple with supply chain issues and other challenges as new year begins

Food

SmartSummit: Schools grapple with supply chain issues and other challenges as new year begins

By Tricia Contreras
Published: August 31, 2021

How the pandemic has reshaped the future of restaurants

Restaurant and Foodservice

How the pandemic has reshaped the future of restaurants

By Tricia Contreras
Published: August 1, 2021

Restaurants roll back restrictions as more people get vaccinated, but most stop short of requiring proof

Restaurant and Foodservice

Restaurants roll back restrictions as more people get vaccinated, but most stop short of requiring proof

By Tricia Contreras
Published: June 22, 2021

How restaurants can encourage and empower employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19

Restaurant and Foodservice

How restaurants can encourage and empower employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19

By Tricia Contreras
Published: June 12, 2021

Creating plant-forward menus that serve the planet, consumers and the bottom line

Restaurant and Foodservice

Creating plant-forward menus that serve the planet, consumers and the bottom line

By Tricia Contreras
Published: May 9, 2021

What role will robots play in the future of food delivery?

Consumer Insights

What role will robots play in the future of food delivery?

By Tricia Contreras
Published: March 31, 2021

Community connections help independent restaurants stay afloat amid pandemic

Restaurant and Foodservice

Community connections help independent restaurants stay afloat amid pandemic

By Tricia Contreras
Published: February 21, 2021

Restaurants vs. retail: Breaking down consumers’ plant-based appetites

Consumer Insights

Restaurants vs. retail: Breaking down consumers’ plant-based appetites

By Tricia Contreras
Published: February 4, 2021

Increased demand for off-premises ushers in new era of restaurant design

Restaurant and Foodservice

Increased demand for off-premises ushers in new era of restaurant design

By Tricia Contreras
Published: January 13, 2021

2021 will bring continuing focus on wellness, flexitarian diets and ways to make dining out safe and memorable

Consumer Insights

2021 will bring continuing focus on wellness, flexitarian diets, and ways to make dining out safe and memorable

By Tricia Contreras
Published: December 23, 2020

Resilient restaurateurs press on with new eateries optimized for uncertain times

Restaurant and Foodservice

Resilient restaurateurs press on with new eateries optimized for uncertain times

By Tricia Contreras
Published: November 2, 2020

Restaurants encourage employees, customers to vote and make plans to feed people at the polls

Restaurant and Foodservice

Restaurants encourage employees, customers to vote and make plans to feed people at the polls

By Tricia Contreras
Published: October 22, 2020

How the pandemic is shaping home cooking trends

Consumer Insights

How the pandemic is shaping home cooking trends

By Tricia Contreras
Published: September 29, 2020

Restaurants invest in tech tools to increase safety during the pandemic and beyond

Restaurant and Foodservice

Restaurants invest in tech tools to increase safety during the pandemic and beyond

By Tricia Contreras
Published: August 25, 2020

Resilience, innovation will help the restaurant industry rebuild

Restaurant and Foodservice

Resilience, innovation will help the restaurant industry rebuild

By Tricia Contreras
Published: August 11, 2020

Restaurant reopenings require balance between reassuring diners, reinforcing rules

Restaurant and Foodservice

Restaurant reopenings require balance between reassuring diners, reinforcing rules

By Tricia Contreras
Published: July 7, 2020

Familiar formats can boost appeal of plant-forward meals

Food

Familiar formats can boost appeal of plant-forward meals

By Tricia Contreras
Published: June 9, 2020