Simplot Web Site Shows Chefs Why Food Prep Is Hell
Simplot Food Group is hoping to appeal to foodservice professionals with a new Web site promoting its Roast Works brand of packaged, pre-cut, pre-roasted vegetables that includes an online cost calculator and a Web discount for first-time orders.
The site serves up a grimly funny video of the toll that to-order vegetable prep and roasting can take on a restaurant or other foodservice operation, along with a list of the “Five Reasons Prep Is Hell”. Visitors can also find a “Hell’s Angels” section of product descriptions of the 20 Roast Works offerings, including Flame-Roasted Fuji Apples, Roasted Baby Bakers, and Flame-Roasted Corn & Black bean Fiesta..
“Let’s face it—prep can be hell,” Simplot spokesperson Jayme Mullaney said in a release. “Cutting and roasting raw fruits and vegetables is time-consuming, expensive and dangerous, plus it’s unpredictable if your prep staff varies from day to day.”
The “Wages of Sin” on-site cost savings calculator lets operators figure their current total spending for chopping, prepping and roasting vegetables—including case prices, labor and hourly wages—and then compare that to the cost of using Simplot’s Roast Works line.
Finally, visitors to the site can complete the “Trial by Fire” registration form and earn a coupon for a first-time graduated discount on Roast Works products: $3 off per case on a purchase of up to five cases of Roast Works products, $5 per case for a buy of up to 10 cases, or a discount of $7 per case for more than 10 cases.
Later in November, foodservice operators and employees who come to the new ToHellWithPrep.com site will be able to enter a sweepstakes drawing for a weekend trip for two to Hell’s Kitchen—the West Side Manhattan neighborhood, that is. The prize will include airfare for two, lodging in a Manhattan hotel, dinner at a Hell’s Kitchen restaurant and a gift card for incidentals.
The Roast Works “To Hell with Prep” Web site will be promoted in trade advertising to the foodservice industry.
