Monin Celebrates Grand Opening of New Flavor Innovation Center
John Koch, Bill Lombardo, Olivier Monin and Joe Smith, ready for the ribbon cutting. Photo by Michael St John.
Clearwater, Fla., June 2015 – Monin Gourmet Flavorings, the world’s global flavor leader, hosted a grand opening celebration of their Flavor Innovation Center this summer in Clearwater, Florida. The opening showcased a new state-of-the-art kitchen and a remodeled bar and café.
Third-generation owner, Olivier Monin, and CEO Bill Lombardo were in attendance, along with many prestigious restaurant partner representatives from Bloomin’ Brands, Hard Rock Café, Front Burner Brands and more.
Photo by Antron Benbow.
The Innovation Center acts as a space for Monin chefs and beverage innovation directors to work alongside customers to develop custom menus and seasonal, on-trend recipes. The team provides full service support, from ideation to implementation.
“The new kitchen allows us to add further value for our partners by expanding our products into culinary solutions,” said Joe Smith, vice president of Sales. “From flavoring waffle batter to salad dressings, sandwich spreads to glazes, the possibilities are endless.”
The center is one of three around the world, run by full-time Monin creative culinary and beverage experts. This new space is an extension to the Clearwater headquarters and production facility that serves customers in North and South America. Operators are encouraged to contact a Monin sales representative for tours and custom recipe development.
Founded in 1912 in Bourges, France and family-owned for three generations, Monin is the premier provider of flavoring products for creating specialty beverages. With manufacturing facilities in three continents and distribution to more than 100 countries, Monin is recognized as the global flavor leader. Monin Gourmet Flavorings, 727-461-3033, monin-usa@monin.com.
