Top 5 Qualities to Look for When Selecting Bread for Restaurants

The quality of a restaurant’s ingredients can make or break a dish—and bread is no exception. After all, bread baskets commonly make the first impression at many restaurants, and bread is often featured as part of main dishes. Investing in high-quality bread can set the tone for the entire guest dining experience.

But how do you choose the right bread for restaurants? And should you bake it yourself, or buy from a supplier? With so many options, it can feel overwhelming to make a change to your bread offerings. However, researching your options is worthwhile. You’ll be able to find cost-effective, time-saving bread products that maintain the highest quality standards. Plus, enhancing your menu will improve guest loyalty and advance your reputation.

Choosing a Bread Supplier vs. Baking In-house

Baking bread in-house can be a cumbersome endeavor. For many restaurants, the unrealistic demands become too much to handle. Others continue baking their own bread despite poor results. Fortunately, there is high-quality, fresh bread for restaurants available from trustworthy suppliers. For example, Bread Alert and Bon Patissier are lauded for ready-to-bake options.

There are many advantages to partnering with a bread supplier, including:

• Time Savings: Baking bread from scratch is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. By outsourcing, your kitchen staff can focus on other critical tasks. 
• Cost Savings: Investing in the equipment and labor needed for in-house baking can be costly. Beyond the initial investment, ongoing training or equipment maintenance can add up over time. A supplier can provide premium bread at a more affordable price.
• Expertise: Professional bread suppliers have expertise in baking and quality control, ensuring that their breads meet high standards. Plus, professional bakers provide uniformity in every loaf—so your customers will know what to expect every time.

How to Choose Your Bread Supplier

If you’ve chosen to partner with a supplier, making the right choice will affect the overall success of your restaurant. You should spend time upfront researching and interviewing suppliers before making your decision. Let’s walk through some key qualities you should consider.

#1. Consistency

After perfecting their recipes, professional suppliers can execute them with unmatched precision. These suppliers should provide bread of the same quality, texture, and flavor over time. This consistency is crucial for maintaining your restaurant's standards and ensuring customer satisfaction.

#2. Variety

A good supplier of bread for restaurants offers a wide range of product types, from artisan loaves to specialty rolls, to meet the diverse needs of your menu. Plus, the uniqueness of their offerings can help your restaurant stand out from the competition in today’s saturated market. Look for suppliers that infuse creativity into their products.

#3. Quality Ingredients

Ensure the supplier uses high-quality, natural ingredients without unnecessary additives,  preservatives, or artificial colors or flavors. Not only does this improve the taste of your breads, but it also caters to your health-conscious guests. For example, products from Bread Alert are handcrafted with the same ingredients you’d use in your own kitchen.

#4. Reliability 

The supplier should have a reliable delivery schedule to ensure you never run out of fresh bread. As you know, timeliness is essential to keeping a restaurant operation running smoothly. Ask potential suppliers about their network of distributors. If their distributors are hard to reach, not local, or unreliable based on customer reviews, then you should look elsewhere.

#5. Customization

Some suppliers offer customization options, allowing you to tailor bread recipes to your specific requirements. If you’re looking to minimize impact on your existing recipes, this can ease the transition to new bread products. Alternatively, customization can empower your restaurant to create even more unique menu items.

Flash-Freezing: How the Process Preserves Optimal Flavor

When choosing bread for restaurants, consider a supplier that uses a flash-freezing process. Flash-freezing preserves the bread at its peak freshness by rapidly bringing its temperature down, locking in flavors and nutrients. This method prevents the formation of large ice crystals, which can damage the bread’s texture. As a result, the thawed bread tastes as fresh as the day it was baked. It’s a convenient option to maintain a ready supply of high-quality bread without compromising on flavor or texture.

How Can Bread Enhance Your Menu Offerings?

Investing in high-quality, oven-fresh bread can make your menu shine. Here are just a few ways it can make a difference:

• Bread Baskets: Impress your guests with a diverse assortment of premium breads, such as ciabatta, baguettes, and croissants.
• Burgers and Sandwiches: The right bread can elevate the flavor and texture of your burgers and sandwiches. Think about how a soft, tavern-style bun can enhance a juicy burger or how a rustic ciabatta can add character to a gourmet sandwich.

• Pizzas: The crust is a fundamental part of any pizza, and the right dough can make a significant difference. Invest in a well-made crust that will support your desired toppings.

• Appetizers and Sides: Use quality bread as a base for appetizers like bruschetta or as a side for soups and salads. The possibilities are endless and can add a touch of sophistication to your menu.

Experiment with Enticing Bread and Cheese Pairings

Aside from baskets and main dishes, bread can stand on its own as part of a pairings menu. Specifically, bread and cheese pairings are a popular option for a curated tasting experience. Consider premium cheese suppliers, such as Beurremont, for products to accompany your breads. Try these pairing ideas:

• Ciabatta and Mozzarella: Combine these classic Italian flavors for a savory experience.
• Baguette and Southern Alps Tomme: Pair the crusty texture of a baguette with this semi-soft cheese.
• Ancient Multigrain Pullman and Gruyère: Blend the sophistication of an artisan loaf with the complex flavors of gruyère.

Beyond cheeses, you can explore other bread pairings for your menu, such as wines and dips. Consider pairing crusty bread with robust red wines or light, airy bread with crisp white wines. Additionally, you can offer a selection of breads with different dips, such as hummus, olive tapenade, or garlic aioli. This can be a great shared appetizer.

Delight Your Guests with Premium Bread for Restaurants

Our expert chefs understand the importance of high-quality bread for restaurants. Bread and cheese selections from Bread Alert, Bon Patissier, and Beurremont are crafted with care, using the finest ingredients and processes to ensure optimal flavor and freshness. Get in touch to order your breads, cheeses, and other gourmet products from Paris Gourmet today.