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national snack food month

February is National Snack Food Month!

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]February is here, and in full swing! It’s a month featuring some notable holidays, including Valentine’s Day on the 14th and President’s Day on the 18th. However, here at Corporate Essentials, the entirety of February is worth celebrating. That’s because February is National Snack Food Month! It’s possibly the most relevant celebration that we could write about! Have you ever had the urge to skip lunch and eat a snack or two instead? That’s understandable, most of us are guilty of doing this on occasion. Thankfully, there’s now less pressure to feel ashamed about your lunch-time choices and eat snacks instead. To celebrate, here’s a look at six snacks

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4 Workplace Culture Examples Your Business Can Learn From

Company culture plays a big part in the success of a corporation. No matter how big or small your business, the environment you cultivate determines the satisfaction of your employees. Many companies use creative perks such as drinks and snacks for the office to boost happiness and productivity. Here are a few workplace culture examples to give you inspiration for your next plan of action. 1. Prioritize Your People “Our core philosophy is people over process. Our culture has been instrumental to our success and has helped us attract and retain stunning colleagues, making work here more satisfying.” Reads the Job page of Netflix’s website. Netflix has often been rated one of the best places to work. Maybe that’s because the company does stay true to its policies, focusing on what makes their employees work a little harder, and better. In fact, they found that it was not productive to

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Rich Landau

Introducing February’s James Beard Award Nominated Chef: Rich Landau

As we become more conscious of the contents of the food we consume, there has been a rising number of vegetarian and vegan focused restaurants in recent years. This month, Corporate Essentials celebrates Philadelphia chef Rich Landau’s mission to translate vegan cuisine to a broader audience through our James Beard Featured Chef program with Martin + Fitch. About Rich Landau Rich Landau’s culinary journey began as a teenager after becoming a vegetarian. He grew up in a Jewish household where the main course typically consisted of some sort of meat. After learning what happened to the animals in order for him to enjoy these meals, Rich decided to teach himself how to create food with all of the soulful flavor he loved, without the meat. While finding vegan food that manages to make your mouth water is quite easy today, thirty years ago vegan-focused restaurants were few and far between.

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nina compton

Introducing January’s James Beard Award Winning Chef: Nina Compton

As one of the culinary capitals of the United States, New Orleans is known for food rich in flavor and amazing restaurants are just around every corner. This month, Corporate Essentials is pleased to offer signature recipes created by the 2018 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef in the South, Nina Compton. Her unique cuisine is inspired by her Caribbean roots, and combines flavorful, local ingredients abundant in New Orleans, with French techniques. Find her featured recipes offered this month as a part of our Featured Chef office catering program with Martin + Fitch. Culinary Training Nina Compton was born and raised on the tiny island, St. Lucia, in the Caribbean. After attending high school in England, she returned home and decided to go after her dream of becoming a chef. Nina’s parents supported her pursuit and helped arrange an internship for her to learn at a friend’s hotel

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The Best Locally Roasted Coffee Brands in 2019

There is no denying America’s love of coffee — and in recent years, there has been a dramatic shift in demand, especially when it comes to specialty coffee. According to Reuters, after surveying 3,000 Americans, it was found that 64 percent drink coffee on a daily basis. However, these coffee drinkers are no longer opting for your standard, large-scale brands. Instead, there has been a significant shift towards gourmet. Artisan coffee roasters are popping up all over the map, offering high-quality beans and complex flavor profiles. The best locally roasted coffee brands are driving a movement, one that is here to stay. If you’re interested in learning more about quality coffee and the brands that make it all happen, this is for you. This Year’s Best Locally Roasted Coffee Brands The majority of Americans love coffee. If you do too, know that once you taste the varieties offered by the

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How Corporate Catering Can Improve Your NJ or NYC Office

There are so many practical benefits to having corporate catering tend to your NJ or NYC company’s office refreshments and food needs. It’s convenient, easy, and adds lots of variety. But what can corporate catering services do for the bigger picture of your office team? How do simple things such as breakroom snacks and drinks or delivered cold brew drive sales? Can they boost morale and aid in productivity? The research shows that yes, it is these tiny details that make all the difference. Here are five reasons you may want to call corporate catering to your NJ or NYC offices stat. 1. Improved Employee Morale Is it a stressful month, full of reports, extra meetings or overtime? Sometimes, all your employees need are incentives. They could be so concerned about doing their jobs well that they don’t give much thought to packing quality lunches and snacks. Sure, you may

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charities

Charities We Love This Holiday Season; Let’s Give Back Together

The spirit of the holiday season reminds us to be thankful for all that we have and inspires us to give back to those less fortunate. In lieu of gifts this year, we will be donating to the following charities in our customers’ names. Each of these charities represent something near and dear to our hearts. In this post, we will provide some more information on each charity so our customers can make informed decisions as to which cause is right for them. Make-A-Wish Foundation New Jersey   Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nationwide charity created in 1980 that grants life-changing wishes for children battling critical illnesses. The New Jersey local chapter was founded in 1983 and serves children specifically in the Garden State. The way the charity works is quite remarkable. After qualifying to become a part of the program through medical eligibility, a team is sent to help awaken

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Gavin Kaysen

Introducing December’s James Beard Award Winning Chef: Gavin Kaysen

Soulful chef Gavin Kaysen captivates the taste buds of Minneapolitans with his award-winning restaurant, Spoon & Stable and its modern American cuisine. Corporate Essentials is honored to offer signature recipes created by the James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Midwest as a part of our Featured Chef office catering program with Martin + Fitch this month. Culinary Experience After graduating from the New England Culinary Institute in 2001, Gavin immersed himself in learning French techniques in some of the world’s best restaurants. Following an internship at Domaine Chandon in Napa Valley, he spent time in Switzerland at L’Auberge de Lavaux, and L’Escargot in London before settling in San Diego as Executive Chef at the AAA 4-Diamond Restaurant, El Bizcocho, where he was named one Food & Wine magazine’s “Best New Chefs”. In 2007, Chef Kaysen left San Diego and moved across the country to become Chef Daniel Boulud’s chef

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rickaroons

Rickaroons: The New Standard For Delicious Energy Snacks

The search for a healthy and delicious, dietary friendly energy snack is over! Rickaroons have accomplished the un-accomplishable. Creamy almond butter comes together with real flakes of coconut and ingredients rich in antioxidants. The resulting snack gives you the slow-burning energy you need, while also tasting like a decadent dessert. We also love how the company is family owned and operated. With roots in San Diego, CA, they are the epitome of “teamwork makes the dream work.” The Evolution of the Rickaroon It all started with Rick. As a vegan triathlete in the 80’s, Rick LeBeau created a recipe based off of a macaroon that would give him the energy he needed to power through his workouts. Over the years Rick continued to tinker with the recipe, especially when he began dating a woman with Multiple Sclerosis in the early 2000’s. At the recommendation of her doctors she went gluten-free,

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Introducing November’s James Beard Award Nominated Chef: Bonnie Morales

Autumn calls for cuisine rich in flavors and seasonings, providing a feeling of comfort on a chilly day. That’s exactly what 2018 James Beard Award Finalist for Best Chef in the Northwest, Bonnie Morales, accomplishes with her restaurant Kachka, which pays tribute to her upbringing in a family that emigrated from the former Soviet Union. Corporate Essentials is pleased to offer signature recipes created by Chef Morales each week this November to New Jersey and New York City offices as a part of our Featured Chef program with Martin + Fitch. Bonnie’s Culture-Rich Upbringing Bonnie Morales draws from an upbringing that centered around food, drink, and the celebration surrounding the two to create an authentic Russian atmosphere in her Portland, Oregon restaurant, Kachka. Growing up in Chicago in a large family with a distinctive culture, Bonnie just wanted to fit in with her friends; she did not want to embrace

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Abe Conlon & Adrienne Lo

Introducing October’s James Beard Award Winning Chefs: Abe Conlon & Adrienne Lo

Corporate Essentials is thrilled to introduce James Beard Award-winning chef, Abe Conlon, and his partner, Adrienne Lo, as October’s Featured Chefs through our premium office catering division, Martin + Fitch. The dynamic duo has been delighting the taste buds of Chicagoans for a decade with their joint ventures, and now their unique, delectable cuisine can be found catered directly to New Jersey and New York City offices. Abe’s Background Abe’s approach to food is mainly a result of his Portuguese roots and growing up in a largely Southeast Asian community in Lowell, Massachusetts. He began cooking professionally at the age of fifteen and trained under renowned chefs Frédy Girardet and Gray Kunz where he learned the technique behind French cuisine and refinement. He went on to receive formal training at the Culinary Institute of America and graduated in 2001. Abe also studied fusion techniques under Norman Van Aken, a chef

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increase productivity at work

The Epic 4-Step Formula To Increase Productivity At Work

Productivity Is The Key To Any Successful Business It’s important to almost any employer to cultivate an environment that places an emphasis on increasing productivity at work. This is because employees who are focused on their work and spend their time efficiently largely contribute to the company’s overall success. The mismatch can be found when productivity is expected, with no real driving force behind it. Increased productivity amongst employees can be achieved when they are engaged and excited about the work they are doing and the company they work for. Gallup’s meta-analysis of employee engagement showed that “teams with high employee engagement rates are 21% more productive.” Having a more engaged, productive workforce can be better for a company’s bottom line. Gallup’s data also showed that “companies that increase their number of talented managers and double the rate of engaged employees achieve, on average, 147% higher earnings per share than

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