Marlin Connections

A huge shoutout to our October Employee of the Month, Megan Dickey! Megan is our Project Manager extraordinaire, always quick to keep our many tasks wrangled. We simply love working with her, so this month was an easy decision! "Megan has been busting her butt doing multiple peoples jobs and she’s always so on top of everything and responsive. I don’t know how she does it." We don't know, either! Thanks for all your hard work and a phenomenal attitude, Megan! #Connections #WeFoodBetter #ProjectManagement #Swiftie #BetterInItaly #EmployeeOfTheMonth #TeamWorkIsTheDreamWork #WeAppreciateYou #SisDeservesSomeRecognition

Howya feeling lately? (Yes, even at work…) October 10 is World Mental Health Day, and this year the focus is on work. Healthy work environments can nourish us, but stigma, discrimination, and poor or unfriendly working conditions can harm our mental health, affecting our lives both in and out of work. It takes a village to create healthier workplaces, and most of the time it doesn’t even have to be a grand gesture. For example, in addition to keeping things running smoothly, our office manager Karen Esposito is always quick with a friendly pick-me-up for the team via chat. It’s little things like that--and more-- that can make all the difference. Reach out today to someone you work with and share some genuine appreciation, even if it's for something small. You'll be glad you did. #Connections #WeFoodBetter #MentalHealthIsHealth #NormalizeTherapy #NAMI #LessStress #PositiveWorkEnvironments #SafeSpace #CheckIn #SmallGestures #EmotionalHealth

Air butter? Coke-flavored Oreos? Chik-Fil-A television? Must be another Trends On Deck. Our enthusiastic trendspotter Cali is here again to dish on the most notable food news of the last few days. What's floating to the top of her feed is a little more out-there than usual, so it's definitely worth a watch. It's a fantastic way to get up to speed on the most current events in the edible world. We won't spoil it too much, so click on over to Trends on Deck. Thanks, Cali! #Connections #WeFoodBetter #TrendsOnDeck #FoodTrends #CocaCola #Oreo #Chicago #FoodDesert #PlantBased #Butter

It’s Pumpkin Spice season, and we’re here for it. (Sort of.) Don’t mind us, we’re just multitasking viral trends over here. Our team hopped on the candy salad bandwagon using our favorite pumpkin spice offerings. Things got a little crazy, but the afternoon snack was oh, so warm and comforting. What’s your favorite way to enjoy this warm and fuzzy spice blend? #Connections #WeFoodBetter #MentalHealthIsHealth #NormalizeTherapy #NAMI #LessStress #PositiveWorkEnvironments #SafeSpace #CheckIn #SmallGestures #EmotionalHealth #PumpkinSpiceIsEverything

Get ready to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! From September 15th to October 15th, we honor the amazing heritage, diversity, achievements, and contributions of the Hispanic Americans who inspire us. What started in 1968 as a one-week celebration has only grown bigger and better with every year. This year's theme, "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together," highlights the incredible impact of Hispanic leaders on our world. Let's come together to celebrate their legacy and all they've done for us. Dig deeper into nationwide events all month long here: https://hubs.ly/Q02PsvVj0 #MarlinConnections #WeFoodBetter #DiaDeLaRaza #NationalHispanicHeritageMonth #Law100142 #TodosSomosUno #NCHEPM

Welcome to the Connections team, Leyla Wheelhouse! Chef Leyla just joined us as the Associate Director of Culinary R&D, bringing with her over 25 years of experience in the foodservice industry as well as food manufacturing and operations. Leyla started her career in fine dining in the U.S. and later gained experience in both Hong Kong and Italy through her career. As a seasoned food professional, she shared a bit with us about what she looks for in dining out, seeking out family-owned, authentic, small, off-the-beaten-path restaurants that are built on bold, heart-felt commitment: Indian, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Greek, Vietnamese, the more regionally specific the better. "Opening our mouths to each other's food can become a gateway to opening our minds to each other's cultures, which teach us endless possibility." We couldn't have said it better. Please say hi and introduce yourself if you're interested in some personalized recommendations. #Connections #WeFoodBetter #MealsOnWheels #ChefsManifesto #ChefsCookBetter #ChicagoFood #WelcomeToTheTeam #GlobalCuisine

Another taste of upcoming food trends at Flavor Experience... ...And they're anything but straightforward. Complex, multi-ingredient offerings are increasingly expected, especially in beverages, where flavors are layered with teas, fruit, and foams. Global flavors and nostalgic food are still in, but the most interesting trend seems to be living in the moment and asking more from chefs to make food an experience, with more focus on how it appears, how the consumer appears while experiencing it, and other sensations like sight, touch, and smell. What's driving this trend could be linked to how Gen Z wants to be seen online, creating a persona distinct from their own. What does the future hold for this trend? Since fewer people are also considering the future (27% of American's rarely or never think about their lives past 5 years, according to the American Future Gap Survey) it's anybody's guess...but we have some ideas. Want to get your menus ahead of the curve? Schedule a call with someone from our culinary team today; we'll be sure to make it delicious. #Connections #WeFoodBetter #FlavorExperience #GenZ #FoodserviceTrends #Beverages

We went to Flavor Experience, and we savored every moment. San Diego, California, you were a blast. At this year's three-day celebration of flavor innovation, trends, strategies, and solutions for high-volume foodservice operators, our very own Rachel Royster hosted an operator panel called "Marketing Campaigns that Win" featuring Lori Primavera from Smoothie King, Andrew Ruga from Checkers/Rally's, and Missy Schaaphok from Taco Bell. Not only that, but Chef Alphonso and Chef Renee served up Spam sandwiches, juicy watermelon sandwiches, and a luscious avocado toast at the Epi Breads booth. It's safe to say we brought back lots of food for thought. Did you attend Flavor Experience? What were your biggest takeaways? Drop them in the comments. #Connections #WeFoodBetter #FlavorExperience #Flavor&theMenu #MenuInnovation #FoodserviceIsChanging #SpamSandwiches #AvocadoToastFTW

Here's to summer's last hurrah Both Chicago and Springfield offices will be closed on Monday, September 2 to celebrate Labor Day but we'll be back at our desks ready to rock the foodservice world on Tuesday. Happy holiday weekend, everyone! Drop your favorite late summer beverage in the chat below; it's 5 o'clock somewhere. #Connections #WeFoodBetter #LaborDay #Working9to5 #ThreeDayWeekends #SummerInAcxion

Women started this in 1848, and we're not done yet. Seneca Falls, New York: the site of the very first Women's Rights Convention, where the attendees formed the Women's Suffrage Movement, ultimately securing the right to vote--the very first step towards equality for women. August 26 commemorates that historic fight, celebrates how much women have achieved, and pushes forward to make sure future generations of women have equal rights, personally and professionally. And since we're all about foodservice: did you know that only 25% of all working chefs are women, even though more women graduate from culinary school than men? A special shout-out to the amazingly talented chefs on our culinary team: Diana Arrieta, Renée Howarth, and Madison Burns. #MarlinConnections #WeFoodBetter #HalfThePopulation #LucretiaMott #ElizabethCadyStanton #1920 #1943 #1965 #1924 #1952 #ThankAWoman #BreakTheGlassCeiling #Vote #WomensEqualityDay #NWHA #MoreWomenChefs