SPICE UP YOUR PRESENTATION

Heat up profits with soup!
A few on-hand ingredients and a dash of culinary expertise will generate menu excitement.

Soup Garnishing Basics

Garnishing is a simple way to signaturize and customize soups.

Garnishes improve color, texture and flavor contrast.

Soup garnishes add visual appeal and perceived value.

Use garnishes to highlight key ingredients. For example, top Cream of Asparagus soup with fresh stalks of asparagus.

Demonstrate your culinary flair with garnishes.

Soup garnishes add perceived value so that you can charge more.

  Soup Cost Garnish Cost Selling Price Profit
Soup $0.74 $0.00 $4.25 $3.51
Soup with Garnish $0.74 $0.36 $5.75 $4.65
A profit increase of 25%!

Please note: Food costs and ungarnished soup selling price based on national averages for commercial operations with an 8-oz. serving. Actual selling prices will vary. Adjust food cost and pricing to fit your local market. Assume use of premium soup and garnish ingredients.


Garnish Garnish Garnish

Premium Garnishing Ideas
INNOVATIVE GARNISHING IDEAS
VEGETABLES
  • Avocado strips
  • Tofu
  • Capers
  • Bean Sprouts
  • Stuffed olives
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Chile peppers
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Thinly sliced vegetables
  • Sun-dried tomatoes
  • Roasted garlic
  • Chopped fresh ginger
  • Alfalfa sprouts
  • Thinly sliced, red, yelow and orange bell peppers
  • Delicate peels or gratings of colorful vegetables
  • Roasted corn cobwheels
  • Shitake or portobello mushrooms
  • Melon slices
DAIRY PRODUCTS*
  • Crème fraiche
  • Dollop of yogurt
  • Sour cream
  • Goat cheese
  • Feta
  • Shredded mozzarella
  • Grated Parmesan or other cheese

BREADS
  • Bagel chips
  • Garlic pita toast
  • Fried wontons
  • Fried tortilla strips
  • Croutons (plain, flavored, toasted)
  • Chinese noodles
  • Fried bread squares or crostini

SAFELY PREPARED SEAFOOD
  • Scallops
  • Shrimp
  • Clams
HERBS & SPICES
  • Finely shredded fresh herbs
  • Sprig of basil or other fresh herbs
  • Spices
  • Strips of chives
  • Chiffonades of herbs and greens cut into ribbons

SAFELY PREPARED MEATS
  • Bacon bits
  • Diced ham
  • Tiny meatballs
  • Sliced sausage

YOU COULD ALSO ADD
  • Toasted nuts
  • Infused spiced oils
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Toasted herbs
  • Soy sauce