A ladle of … plant proteins for the hospitality industry

New trends are continually shaping the industry – we track them down. In our “A ladle of...” series, we showcase exciting projects from the food and hospitality scene. Today, Karen Tay, Classic Fine Foods Singapore Managing Director and Group Alternative protein leader, talks about the plant-based cookbook ‘Savouring Tomorrow’.

MPULSE Series - A ladle
The CFFALT cookbook ‘Savouring Tomorrow’ is currently available at the National Library of Singapore and will be hitting Amazon in a few months. Two recipes can be downloaded directly here.
Cover of the CFF recipe book

What´s it all about?

  • The origins of the new cookbook ‘Savouring Tomorrow’
  • This is where ‘Savouring Tomorrow’ differs from other vegan recipe books
  • The importance of alternative proteins for the modern hospitality industry

‘Savouring Tomorrow’: a cookbook dedicated to alternative proteins. How did the idea come about?

With ‘Savouring Tomorrow’, we want to promote the development and use of alternative proteins in modern cooking. In the past, animal proteins were often essential for adding flavour, texture and visual appeal to dishes. But times have changed: alternative proteins, once hard to find and often of lower quality, are now widely available and easy to use. With this cookbook, we want to demonstrate the versatility and enormous potential of alternative proteins. It is intended to inspire professionals to try out new ingredients and dishes, while fostering a dynamic and informed community where knowledge-sharing and creativity can thrive.

WHAT ARE ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS? 

Alternative proteins is a general term that encompasses various technologies that aim to replace animal proteins in the food system in order to limit its inefficiency. There are three main categories of alternative proteins
1. plant-based proteins, mainly based on soya, peas and wheat.
2. fermentation, a technique in which microbes such as yeast are cultured to produce either meat-like substitutes, egg and milk proteins or specialised ingredients.
3. cultured meat, which is produced by taking cells from animals and culturing them where they can multiply rapidly with the right nutrients and environment.

How does the cookbook differ from other vegan recipe books?

‘Savouring Tomorrow’ is distinguished primarily by its international perspective. While many cookbooks focus solely on European or Western cuisine, we have collaborated with professional chefs from seven different countries, including Vietnam, the UK (London), Singapore and Malaysia. This allowed us to incorporate a wide array of expertise and cultural influences. Over the course of a year, we developed 19 distinct recipes, spanning traditional Asian dishes, contemporary international creations and inventive vegan desserts. We not only avoid animal products but also demonstrate that plant-based meat alternatives can perfectly mimic the flavour and texture of beef, chicken and pork. Plant-based butter allows even the most discerning pastry chefs to create exceptional desserts. Egg substitutes can foam, emulsify and bake just like real eggs.

Classic Fine Foods

Founded in 2000, the delivery specialist Classic Fine Foods (CFF) headquartered in Hong Kong, has been part of the METRO family since 2015. The company supplies more than 19.000 HoReCa customers in the UK, Asia and the Middle East. From its procurement platform in Rungis (France), CFF also exports to the Caribbean, Maldives and Seychelles. In addition to exquisite delicacies, the supplier’s portfolio includes novel foods like plant-based meat and fish alternatives.

Are alternative proteins the future of the hospitality industry?

Alternative proteins are becoming increasingly important in the hospitality industry as more and more guests prefer sustainable and healthy dietary options. This growing demand is driving the development and variety of protein alternatives. Thanks to advanced food technologies, textures and flavour profiles are continually improving and increasingly resembling those of animal products. Alternative proteins not only provide an eco-friendly option but also open up a wealth of new culinary possibilities. With ‘Savouring Tomorrow’, we aim to inspire restaurateurs to incorporate more plant-based ingredients into their dishes. This enables them to reimagine traditional recipes and provide their guests with exciting new flavour experiences. Our central message is: the future of food is plant-based, creative and full of possibilities.

Two exclusive recipes to download 👇

Main course from the CFF recipe book
Chefkoch Jose Luis del Amo, The taste lab, Classic Fine Foods, Singapur

Main Course - K-pop Tindle Steam Bao

Recipe main course (PDF)
One of the chefs from the CFF recipe book
Denis Drame, The Taste Lab, Classic Fine Foods, United Kingdom

Dessert - Dairy-Free Chocolate and Caramel Choux

Recipe desert (PDF)

Discover alternative recipes online

The CFFALT cookbook ‘Savouring Tomorrow’ - all recipes are also available online.

Further articles