As a chef, you know that taste is king. You also know the value of leaning on pantry staples to help you optimize your menus. You reap the rewards creatively and financially when you land on ingredients that can play the field, moving from savoury to sweet and bringing in rich, creamy texture, and when you utilize companies and brands that you – and your customers – trust and believe in.
Kraft Heinz is one of these companies, having served Canadian consumers for more than 100 years and producing several leading brands and products at its manufacturing facility in Mont Royal, Quebec. Two of those products, Kraft Peanut Butter and Philadelphia Cream Cheese, have become iconic staples in Canadian households and restaurants over several decades, and they tick all the boxes for you as a chef.
These menu all-stars’ versatility knows no bounds, fitting into many of today’s biggest menu trends and improving dishes across the board, from appetizers to entrees, sides to beverages! Equalling adept as transforming a breakfast as they are a dessert, Kraft Peanut Butter and Philadelphia Cream Cheese’s quality and versatility elevate your menu and help you broaden your culinary horizons.
Kraft Peanut Butter – Canada’s favourite peanut butter brand
Since the 1960s, Kraft Peanut Butter has proudly been a family favourite and a Canadian classic, and it remains so today. Coming in smooth, crunchy, and light varieties, Kraft Peanut Butter has 99% brand awareness[1] in the Canadian market, and for good reason, as it brings superb taste, texture, and quality.
Every chef knows what Kraft Peanut Butter brings to the sweet side of a menu. Whether it’s brownie cookie sandwiches with peanut butter cream filling, peanut butter and chocolate oatmeal cookies, peanut butter and banana tartlets, or a smoothie incorporating peanut butter, this is a classic way to boost your desserts and sweet treats menu.
But, if you think Kraft Peanut Butter is just for the sweet side, you couldn’t be more wrong. From burgers to bowls, sandwiches to ribs, Canada’s favourite peanut butter is the perfect way to enhance dishes across your entire menu. Add a Thai peanut satay sauce to a chicken burger or a steak skewer or add a twist to a classic BBQ sauce and you’ll soon see how Kraft Peanut Butter elevates an entire menu.
Check out how you can use Kraft Peanut Butter in different ways here!
Philadelphia Cream Cheese – 150 years of unique quality
Philadelphia Cream Cheese celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2022 and that longevity tells you much of what you need to know about its popularity. The iconic product is made with fresh milk and cream to give it its signature rich mouthfeel, and has 100% brand awareness among consumers, according to a 2021 Ipsos report, meaning that you can be sure you are delivering the cream cheese your guests know and love!
Just like Kraft Peanut Butter, Philly works a treat in both sweet and savoury recipe development, providing creaminess, moisture, and its classic subtle, tangy flavour. Whisked into eggs for an omelette, frittata, or soft scramble, cream cheese brings in a pleasing moisture and richness, elevating the savoury dish. On the sweet side, it keeps pancake and waffle batters tender and moist, and makes a lush filling base for French toast and crêpes. It’s also perfect for shareables such as savoury pastries, sliders, tacos, flatbreads and pizzas, and dips, where it serves as a rich filling or spread, introducing a creamy mouthfeel for that craveable appeal.
For example, why not try pairing assorted mini bagels with creative signature cream cheese flavours? Philadelphia Cream Cheese is a great addition to numerous flavour combinations, including real maple syrup + cinnamon, Calabrian chile + local honey, sunflower seeds + fresh thyme, raspberry preserves + fresh mint, and roasted tomato + za’atar.
Check out how you can use Philadelphia Cream Cheese in different ways here!
Hold The Phone Burger – the perfect marriage
We’ve already talked about the history, the quality, and the versatility of Kraft Peanut Butter and Philadelphia Cream Cheese and the fact the two iconic products have a home across all dayparts and menu categories.
But did you know they can also be combined to great effect?
Specialty burgers are among the top 10 dishes with peanut butter on menus[2], and the Hold The Phone Burger unites these two iconic brands, combining the savoury, nutty flavour of Kraft Peanut Butter with the rich creaminess of Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spread for a unique burger topping. Simply apply the smooth peanut butter (or use crunchy if you want that extra bite) and the spreadable Philly to the top of your patty, throw on a slice of Monterey Jack cheese, grill to your liking, and enjoy!
These are just some of the ways you can use Kraft Peanut Butter and Philadelphia Cream Cheese! For more menu ideas and recipes, visit https://www.kraftheinzfoodservice.ca/en-ca/recipes.
[1] Ipsos 2020 Report
[2] Technomic Ignite Menu (Q2 2021-Q2 2022)
