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Restaurant Daily News Monday, May 22, 2017 1 0 A SENSORY FEAST When Savannah, Georgia gave the green light for food trucks to do business in the city about a year ago, Kay Heritage and her sister Sunju Pitts decided to look into opening a mobile wood-fired pizza busi- ness. Kay's husband Kevin began researching the different options, while the sisters visited wood-fired pizza oven manufacturer Marra Forni's test kitchen in Washington, D.C. to determine their options. After visiting a friend's pizza food truck, which was catering a wedding rehearsal dinner event, the sisters knew what they didn't want in a wood-fired oven. "There were 75 people total, and we observed people standing in line for 15 to 20 minutes at this party," says Kay Heritage. "We didn't want to do that." After much research, the family, which also includes Kay and Kevin's' sons Kevin Jr. and Christian and daughter Anna, created Big Bon Pizza. This mobile catering business features tradi- tional and Asian-inspired Neapolitan pizza, and Marra Forni's wood-fired oven is the centerpiece. Marra Forni ovens are built using the same tried and tested process used by Italian masons hundreds of years ago. Its brick-by-brick building process is superi- or to cement and able to withstand years of use without cracking. This process ensures the most efficient heat absorp- tion, retention and consistent cooking possible, resulting in huge gas bill sav- ings. Because each oven is made to order, operators have the option to customize the look to complement and enhance the scenery. "Instead of locating the oven inside, the trailer is opened fully on three sides, so the entire production process is on dis- play," says Heritage. "This creates the heart of an event, but also an experience that encom- passes all of the senses." The environment is akin to people gathering in a home kitchen for a meal, yet also provides the illusion of an Italian festival, with globe lights setting the scene. The Marra Forni wood-fired oven not only imparts a theater experience guests can see, but the roaring fire also can be both heard, smelled and almost tasted, setting a scene that wows event attendees. "When people see my son Kevin scooping fresh dough out of the tray to be stretched, topped and cooked in the fire, it brings home the old adage that people really eat with their eyes," says Heritage. "We've visited many operation where wood-fired ovens aren't visible, even in open kitchens, yet this is central to the sensory experience. Setting the theme is critical, whether it's a brick and mortar or mobile operation." She says in the event the operation does become more per- manent and finds a home in a building, Marra Forni's wood-fired oven will remain front and center as part of the din- ing experience. "Not only do guests trust an opera- tion more because they can see the entire process, but the oven provides a con- vivial feel," says Heritage. "With every- one gathered around the fire sharing great food and being together, it's like wel- coming them to our family table." For more information, visit www .marraforni.com, email info@ marraforni.com, call 888.239.0575 or stop by booth #2983. FLAX4LIFE: DELICIOUS, BETTER FOR YOU BAKED GOODS By Kasondra Shippen, General Manager, Flax4Life. Flax4Life is a bakery dedicated gluten- free, dairy-free and nut-free (except coconut) facility. We strive to make delicious, better for you baked goods. All items are flax based and loaded with Omega-3s, fiber, protein, lignans and made from the highest quality ingre- dients. Flax4Life bakes brownies, muffins, gra- nolas, cakes and buns for retail stores and has recently launched into foodservice. You will soon be able to find Flax4Life products on airlines, cruise ships, college stores and many more locations. We will also be launching a few new items that should be ready for the marketplace early 2018, such as take n' bake items. Flax4Life is a family-owned and operated business that has been going strong for over 15 years. Our family has been in the bakery industry for four gen- erations. In the mid '90s a few of our family members became ill and the each had different symptoms. For a few it was bowel and stomach problems, and for another the symptoms were so bad they could hardly walk. After a few years of being taken to doctors all over the coun- try, the Mayo Clinic finally diagnosed our family members with Celiac dis- ease. It was at this point we really started taking a harder look at the things we were putting into our bodies. We knew that one of the most important things was that the prod- uct needed to taste good, and the second was that it needed to be good for you! Flax4Life was born shortly after. For more information, call 360.715.1944, fax 360.233.1212, go to www.flax4life.net or stop by booth #10639. ACE + MYSTERY SHOPPING NOW OFFERS VIDEO MYSTERY SHOPPING SERVICES Does your current mystery shopping provider offer video mystery shops? Do your employees push back with every shop, trying to increase their score? Have you thought about a program, but have not yet pulled the trigger? Do you have concerns about loss prevention, up-sells, online reviews or any other issues? ACE+ Mystery Shopping has been a traditional mystery shopping company since 2001, specializing in the foodservice industry. In early 2016, the compa- ny began offering video mystery shopping services to its clients, so that they are able to receive the most relevant and up-to-date tools available. Want to see through the customer's eyes with your own eyes? Contact ACE+ Mystery Shopping today to find out about its video mystery shop- ping program. While ACE+ Mystery Shopping still offers traditional mystery shops as well as customer engagement surveys, the compa- ny feels that video shops provide a great way for businesses to see through the "smokescreen" and be able to take a hands-on approach to improving customer service and employee training. You'll also get a state-of-the-art client portal that can generate a multitude of reports to assist you in following trends over locations. You won't be locked into long-term contracts: ACE+ Mystery Shopping clients stay with the company because the program works, and not because they signed a contract. ACE+ Mystery Shopping clients also get customized surveys that work for them. There are no additional fees for changes because ACE+ Mystery Shopping knows that as your business changes and evolves, it's important that the surveys do as well. ACE+ Mystery Shopping's experi- enced staff provides personalized service and guidance to help ensure your pro- gram exceeds your expectations. Corporate Cheerleaders Julie and Erika are in booth #110 throughout the show. For more information, call 866.240.7324, visit www.acemysteryshopping.com, email sales@acemysteryshopping.com or stop by booth #110 during the NRA Show.