From Mexico, to Central and South American countries, to the Caribbean, and beyond, Hispanic and Latin cultures have had a profound impact on the American identity.
Everything including language, art, fashion, and music have been inexorably transformed by these influences. But it’s food that forms the central connective tissue at the nexus of community and culture. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Performance Foodservice is proud to serve thousands of Hispanic-owned and operated restaurants throughout the country, each providing a unique window into the flavor, passion, and heritage of so many different regions.
Let’s Celebrate
The month-long celebration runs from mid-September to mid-October, encompassing the Independence Day festivities of several countries, including El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, and Chile, among others. And it’s important to recognize, as well, the incredible influence that Hispanic entrepreneurs create on an everyday basis. A new generation of chefs and restaurateurs are fueling an innovative American culinary culture, honoring their ancestors through creative takes on family recipes.
As it happens, the advances made by Hispanic-inspired restaurants have been dovetailing with consumer trends, adding a critical layer of resilience during the pandemic. Diners are seeking out a wider array of international influences, versatile flavors, authentic ingredients, and more spices. They are craving handheld versions of street food, more vegetarian options, and sustainably sourced protein alternatives like seafood. Hispanic-based restaurants can provide all of these.
With You
For independent restaurants, the pandemic has also placed a greater emphasis on cost control, ease of prep, and limiting waste. Contigo®, the Hispanic-inspired Performance brand, features an extensive portfolio of products to help Hispanic operators serve the most authentic dishes, despite challenging COVID conditions.
Meaning “with you,” Contigo was developed by Hispanic culinary experts to provide a range of quality ingredients that represent different regions and styles of cooking. A full selection of tortillas, including flour, yellow, and white corn are perfect for versatile handheld menu options. Contigo also features a complete complement of canned tomatoes and tomatillos for sauces and salsas, with whole peeled tomatoes sourced from both the Midwest and California regions.
Whether a restaurant has perfected a menu with creative twists on traditional tacos, burritos, and enchiladas or is delving more deeply into mole dishes, posole stews, adobo sauces, or delicious tamales, Contigo has the chorizo, beef, and chicken cuts to bring out the best flavors. Hispanic operators can also choose from a variety of salsas and peppers, and the brand provides a litany of frozen avocado options, tostones, and yucca halves for ease of preparation and to optimize storage.
Performance is also able to provide Hispanic restaurants with virtually any cheese preferences. From grated Cotija, EZ Melt American cheese, and queso sauces in the Contigo portfolio, to more than 600 custom blends at our Northland facility, to the Tres Amigos Feather Blend in the Corazo® Mexican cheese brand, we’ve got cheese covered. And, in addition to all of these savory choices, Contigo has several easy-to-serve dessert options as well, including tres leches cake and individual flan cups.
Other Brands/Suppliers
While Contigo has been specifically designed to be a one-stop-shop for authentic Hispanic ingredients, other Performance brands offer fresh, high-quality products that can also elevate Hispanic cuisine. Fresh, responsibly sourced seafood from Bay Winds®, all-natural exceptional pork from Allegiance®, the freshest produce from Peak® — Performance is committed to sourcing the highest quality food for Hispanic kitchens.
Our supplier partners share a dedication to honoring Hispanic culinary cultures as well. McCormick has perfected sauces and spices from regions around the world, while Simplot has mastered the art of pepper, corn, and potato blends from Mexico and Central America. Performance also works with Mexican-based Novamex to distribute authentic Mexican beverages such as Jarritos and other naturally-flavored drinks to Hispanic and Latin markets.
Throughout our history, the vast diaspora of Hispanic heritage has always been a central element of the American experience. Independent, Hispanic-owned restaurants continue to celebrate this influence through a beautiful combination of innovation, taste, color, history, and resilience. It’s a combination worth celebrating along with them – not just over the next month, but all year long.
