If you’re over 35, you can probably think back to a time when there were only three condiments:  ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise.

Ahhh…those were simpler times…

When you open up today’s menus, however, you’re faced with a dizzying array of options.  From barbeque sauce to salsa, consumer demand has driven a proliferation in condiment variety.

According to recent data from the Foodservice Research Institute (FRI), flavor variations in “the big three” condiments started back in the ’90s and have exploded in recent years.  The mayonnaise category, in particular, has undergone a major transformation.  In fact, the FRI’s MenuMine database lists no less than 90 mayonnaise flavor variations found on today’s menus.

Some quick FRI facts about mayonnaise use in foodservice:

• 70% of mayonnaise is used on sandwiches;
• 20% winds up on burgers;
• the average menu contains 7.8 items with mayonnaise.

Cutting-edge chefs are now adding flavored versions of mayonnaise to a wider range of items.  Kicked-up versions of the American staple are to be found on everything from meats and seafood, to vegetables and salad.

The flavor of mayonnaise can be enhanced with an assortment of spices and herbs.  Peppers, fruits and vegetables also add uniqueness and a bit of texture.  If you’re looking for new ways to freshen your menu, here is a list of top mayonnaise variations you may want to consider adding:

• Spices—garlic, saffron, cumin, red pepper, sage, red curry, sesame, ginger, paprika, lemon pepper, peppercorns
• Herbs—basil/pesto, cilantro, fennel, rosemary, tarragon
• Peppers—ancho, jalapeno, sriracha,  chimichurri, red, sweet, poblano, chipotle
• Fruit—apple, avocado, lemon, mango, lime, cranberry, citrus
• Vegetables—sweet relish, watercress, scallions, capers, olives, horseradish, wasabi
• Tomatoes—sun dried, roasted, smoked
• Cheese—blue, Parmesan
• Others—dijon, sherry, honey, buffalo sauce, spicy, teriyaki sauce

Of course, the best menu flavors taste even better when they’re prepared and served by true professionals.  Trust Penguin Staff to provide the screened and trained on-call, temporary and permanent hospitality staff you need.

You know who they are:

• the superstars who are committed to doing a job properly and not just “filling time”;

• the overachievers who go above and beyond the call of duty;

• the high performers who are enthusiastic about their jobs and fulfilling your organization’s mission.

Whatever you call them – superstars, overachievers, high performers – you know your hospitality organization’s success depends on hiring and retaining them.  So how do you identify them?

Unfortunately, high performers don’t go around with signs hanging from their necks that read “I’m a top notch worker – hire me!”  But, you can use this list of attributes to help you determine which hospitality candidates are the best and brightest:

1. They are forward-thinkers – about their job environment and their hospitality careers.  To thrive, they need to know how what they’re doing now will impact the future.
   
2. They have found their focus.  High performers know their strengths and have found an appropriate expression for their talents in hospitality.
3. They self-manage.  Research has shown that high performers consciously apply a systematic approach to every task.  This disciplined approach makes them more organized, productive and fulfilled.
4. They are accurate appraisers – of peers, work environments and themselves.  They can spot talent in co-workers and chinks in their competitor’s armor.  Likewise, they recognize their own weaknesses and strive to improve them.
5. They are intrinsically motivated.  While money is undoubtedly important, high performers are fueled from within.  Their need to attain personal and organizational goals is often as great a reward as compensation.
6. They are optimistic.  High performers see the glass as half-full.  They tend to treat obstacles and setbacks on the job as temporary and therefore surmountable.
7. They respect other high performers.  Rather than focusing on hierarchy, high achievers operate within a society of mutual respect.  As a result, they will lend a hand to others with talent and help them flourish.
8. They are results-oriented.  These individuals won’t sit quietly and do a job just because they’re told to.  Top performers need to know how their efforts affect the organization’s “big picture,” and measure their efforts in terms of bottom-line results.

If you want to hire top performers, develop behavioral interview questions that will screen for attributes like the ones listed above.  Or just give Penguin Staff a call!  Our staffing professionals are experts at identifying high achievers who will perform well in your organization.  We offer a variety of hospitality recruiting and staffing services to deliver the best and brightest for you.

Looking for hospitality jobs in Atlanta, Richmond, D.C. or Baltimore?

Sure, it’s tough out there.  But fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone.  At Penguin, our staffing specialists are committed to your success and can facilitate your hospitality job search in a number of ways.  Here are just a few:

Access the “hidden job market.”  When you work with an employment agency like Penguin, you have access to great job opportunities that are not advertised anywhere else.  Many hotels, industrial caterers, CVBs and other foodservice management organizations trust our staffing specialists to quickly identify the right hospitality professionals for their staffing needs.  Often, these clients will not advertise their positions through traditional means like job boards.

Career guidance and training.  Are you re-entering the workforce?  Just out of school?  Laid off?  If you fall into one of these categories, you may be unsure of exactly how best to use your talents.  A staffing professional can help you critically examine your skills, training and experience to identify the right opportunities for you.  And if you need to update your skills or learn new ones, Penguin offers comprehensive hospitality training through HTI.

Feedback on your résumé and interview skills.  As employment experts, we can help you polish your résumé and build your interviewing confidence – so you can land the job you want.

Confidential, anonymous representation.  If you’re currently employed, you probably don’t want your boss knowing that you’re actively seeking work elsewhere.  Penguin can market and represent you anonymously, so you can continue working until a prospective employer expresses an interest in your credentials.

Keep your chin up!  Being out of work can take its toll on you, both emotionally and financially.  If you’re looking for a hospitality job, Penguin Staff can provide on-call and temporary hospitality assignments to help you:

• earn money while you search for a full-time job;
• keep your schedule flexible so you can continue your job search;
• keep your skills sharp and up-to-date;
• network with new co-workers to uncover additional employment leads;
• avoid gaps on your résumé;
• stay positive and productive.

At Penguin Staff, you’re more than just a résumé, a certification or a set of skills.  You’re a vital part of our success!  Whether you’re searching for temporary employment, a permanent position or some extra money on the weekend, Penguin has the career opportunities you need.  Take the next step in your hospitality career by contacting Penguin today.