Creative Dining Services

1 week ago

"Once the plant is established, it's on its own."
That is the philosophy at Tomato Bliss Farms in Galien, Michigan, and you can taste the difference. Their tomatoes are organic and naturally grown in a beautiful and plentiful environment. This biodiverse farm specializes in tomatoes, but also grows a variety of fruits and vegetables that the owners let naturally grow. We were even treated to a delicious farm-fresh lunch with an edible centerpiece of pears and tomatoes. What's better than that?

Through our FARMSTEAD program, we're always seeking out partners who share our passion for flavor and sustainability. What farm-fresh ingredient are you most excited to see on a menu this season?

Tomato Bliss, #cdsbecreative #farmstead #EatFresh ... See MoreSee Less

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Creative Dining Services

3 weeks ago

Let's visit the Alps!

The food of Switzerland, Germany and Austria is calling and we’re getting hungry!

The cuisine of Alpine Switzerland, Germany, and Austria is rooted in centuries of tradition and shaped by the rugged mountain landscape. Known for its hearty, comforting fare, this region’s food often features cheese, meat, and potatoes as they were accessible and preserved well in colder climates.

In Switzerland, fondue became popular in the 18th century as a way for rural communities to make use of aged cheese and stale bread during long winters. Today, it’s a national dish symbolizing Swiss hospitality. Meanwhile, Germany and Austria are famous for their sausages like bratwurst, as well as schnitzel, a dish with Viennese origins that features a meat cutlet pounded flat, then breaded and fried. These meals reflect a culture of resourcefulness and celebration of local ingredients.

As with much of Europe, the cuisines of these countries have been influenced by their neighbors through centuries of trade, migration, and empire. This is why you’ll find delicious regional variations of potatoes, dumplings, and pasta —Austrian spätzle to German knödel to German — each with its own story and twist.

Are you dreaming this summer of traipsing across high meadows while singing to the wildflowers? Or strolling into a little village in search of something deliciously comforting? Wherever you are, go for a hike and return to the table hungry for something tasty from the Alps!

In the photos:

Frittatenesuppe
Bratwurst
Sauerbraten and dumplings
Bavarian pretzel with mustard, potato salad, and bratwurst in a bun
Rosti and greens
Nocino Torte
Apfel strudel

#creativedining #alpinecuisine #germanfood #swissfood #austrianfood #travelbyfood ... See MoreSee Less

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Creative Dining Services

4 weeks ago

On July 24, members of the Creative Dining Leadership Cabinet and the board of directors gathered for a special dinner honoring Clif Charles, Chairman Emeritus for more than 16 years of service on Creative Dining Services’ Board. As a community leader, human resource and management professional and executive coach, he has touched countless lives and contributed to the success of many companies, including ours. We were lucky to have him on the board, sharing his insight and expertise.

Our Corporate Executive Chef, Nathaiel Malone, created a multi-course dining experience that included dishes with locally foraged ingredients (lemon ramp oil, mushroom garum), beet cured Lake Michigan King Salmon, smoked bone marrow butter with local artisan bread, and a baked Alaska featuring ube sponge cake, yuzu gelee, coconut ice cream, and Thai basil meringue. This one-of-a-kind banquet was a delicious way to honor the exemplary Clif Charles.

The photos:

1. Current Board Members from left to right, front to back - Kathy Holt, Tom Bylsma, Clif Charles, Dirk Prius, Rebecca Starkenburg, Richard Frost, Bradford Mathis, Sarah Visser, Sandra Upton

2. Spruce Tip Sorbet

3. Beet Cured Lake Michigan King Salmon, Quail Eggs, Mushroom Garum, Caviar

4. Baked Alaska with Ube Sponge Cake, Yuzu Gelee, Coconut Ice Cream, Michigan Honey & Thai Basil Merigue

#creativedining #culinaryleadrship #foragedcuisine #hospitalityleadership ... See MoreSee Less

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Creative Dining Services

1 month ago

🇫🇷 This week, we’re taking your taste buds on a trip to France! 🥖🍷
French cuisine is as rich and diverse as the regions it comes from, each with its own flavors, traditions, and specialties. While many think of creamy sauces when they hear “French cooking,” there’s so much more to explore!
The five “mother sauces” of French cuisine – Béchamel, Espagnole, Tomate, Velouté, and Hollandaise – form the foundation of countless regional dishes. These culinary cornerstones were first classified by Marie-Antoine Carême in 1833 and later refined by Auguste Escoffier in 1903.
From the hearty cassoulet of Toulouse to the delicate quiche Lorraine, from seafood stews in Brittany to fresh herbs and olives in sunny Provence, every corner of France offers something deliciously unique. And of course, no French journey is complete without wine, cheese, croissants, and pâtisserie! 🧀🥐🍇
💡 Did you know… The quintessential Vietnamese dish pho was likely influenced by France’s pot-au-feu, a slow-simmered meat and vegetable stew?
So, where in France are your cravings taking you this week? Let us know in the comments! 👇

In the photos:
Gratin Dauphinois
Ratatouille
Beef Bourguignon
Salad Nicoise
Crème Brulee
Macarons

#travelbyfood #creativedining #foodieadventure #frenchcuisine ... See MoreSee Less

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Creative Dining Services

1 month ago

Fueling Athletic Performance: Introducing Fit Fuel™ Meals by Creative Dining Services

We are thrilled to introduce Creative Dining’s Fit Fuel™ Meals, specifically designed to help you reach peak performance. Fit Fuel is a new line of convenient, nutritious meals designed for athletes who require meals rich in macro and micronutrients. These meals are ideal for individuals on the go and to support athletes during training.

Designed for your specific needs, Fit Fuel Meals come in four unique categories – Protein Push, High Intensity, Balanced, and Recovery Mode – each tailored to different athletic requirements.

Learn more on our blog about how these can take your performance to the next level!
lnkd.in/gWWAezpB

#creativedining #fitfuel #foodforperformance ... See MoreSee Less

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Creative Dining Services

1 month ago

We're Traveling By Food this summer!

From the heart of the Balkans to the edges of the Caucasus, Eastern Europe is a culinary crossroads—where Western European influences (German, French, Italian) meet the Middle East and Mediterranean (Turkish, Georgian, Armenian). The result is a cuisine that’s as complex and comforting.

Pickled vegetables, root vegetables and cabbage, as well as pork and beef are often featured in this region. Common dishes include pierogi, cabbage rolls, and soups and stews like goulash and borscht. Variations on sauerkraut can be found throughout. Spices common to Eastern Europe include paprika dill, caraway, and mustard.

If you're dreaming of walking along the Vltava River in beautifully historic Prague or touring a castle in an alpine village in Slovenia, you're in the right head-space for these hearty and flavorful dishes!

Pictured:
Braised Pork Shoulder
Beef Broth Soup
Cheese Dumplings
Stuffed Cabbage and sauerkraut with minced pork (Kapusta)
Pierogies
Kielbasa
Kolachi Rolls
Prune and Sesame bread
Grilled peppers and onions
Sauerkraut
Roasted brussels

#travelbyfood #easterneuropeaneats #foodieadventures #pierogilove #spicetrail #creativedining ... See MoreSee Less

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