As the autumn light softens over Atlanta and diners begin to crave deeper flavors, warm textures, and elevated comfort, smart foodservice chefs know that success starts in the pantry. Sourcing ingredients that deliver consistency, versatility, and efficiency can give you an operational edge—and ultimately, a menu that resonates. That’s where Roland Foods comes in.
About Roland Foods
Founded in 1934 in France and later expanded to the U.S., Roland Foods has built a reputation as a purveyor of fine global ingredients. With decades of vendor relationships, rigorous sourcing, and foodservice pack formats, Roland serves restaurants and operations that demand performance and scale. Whether you’re managing a busy lunch rush or planning for holiday catering, the right ingredients can make all the difference.
Six Fall-Ready Items
Here are six Roland items that we are featuring this month — each offering chef-friendly usage ideas and operational benefits.
1. Long Grain Jasmine Rice – 20 lb (615542CS)
Jasmine rice is an aromatic, long-grain white rice often associated with Asian and Middle Eastern dishes. In a fall context, it’s superb as a base for roasted-squash grain bowls, coconut-milk rice sides, or next-day fried rice specials. Pro tip: rinse the rice, use the proper water ratio, and let it rest covered post-cook for perfectly fluffy grains.
2. Seasoned Rice Wine Vinegar – 4×1 GAL (610580CS)
This seasoned vinegar, crafted from fermented rice with added salt and sugar, offers a mild, sweet-savory acidity. For fall menus, try it in apple-fennel slaws, pickled Brussels sprouts, or as the bright note in vinaigrettes for roasted root-vegetable salads. Its foodservice size ensures efficiency and versatility.
3. White Balsamic Vinegar – 2×5 L (610537CS)
White balsamic provides the refined acidity and sweetness of traditional balsamic without dark coloration—ideal for finishing lighter dishes while maintaining presentation. Use it to glaze grilled chicken, drizzle over roasted beet salads, or blend into a maple-white-balsamic vinaigrette for fall greens.
4. French Cornichons – 11 lbs (607300EA)
Small, crisp, and tangy pickles like cornichons bring texture and brightness to heavier fall dishes. Use them in fried chicken sandwiches, atop pâté or charcuterie boards, or as a plated garnish alongside braised meats. The large format ensures readiness for volume service.
5. Polenta – 4×5 lbs (605858CS)
Polenta offers a base that’s both comforting and adaptable. Create creamy polenta with truffle oil and roasted mushrooms, or set cooled polenta into squares and sear for texture—top with braised lamb or a winter vegetable ragù. With Roland’s foodservice packs, prep is simple and consistent.
6. Dijon Mustard Grained with Wine – 6×8 lb 9 oz (605649CS)
This grainy Dijon mustard with wine elevates sauces, vinaigrettes, and glazes. Use it to craft a mustard-wine pan sauce for pork, mix into a maple-mustard vinaigrette for kale salads, or blend into aioli for hearty sandwiches. Chef tip: factor it into your portion cost—it delivers big flavor impact with minimal use.
Best Practices & Chef Tips
- Batch prep vs. versatility: These ingredients allow for cross-utilization—rice, polenta, and vinegars can anchor both lunch and dinner applications.
- Consistency is key: Using trusted suppliers like Roland ensures flavor reliability, which is critical when scaling or retraining staff.
- Roast and finish: Pair fall’s best produce—squash, root vegetables, mushrooms—with these pantry items for comfort that still feels refined.
- Visual contrast: White balsamic provides brightness and balance, perfect for lighter proteins or plated vegetarian dishes.
- Volume-ready formats: With large foodservice pack sizes, operators can streamline ordering and control food costs.
- Seasonal layering: Build fall grain bowls, hearty salads, and elevated sides that combine texture, flavor, and color for visual and menu appeal.
For Atlanta-area foodservice operators looking to refresh menus this fall, the Roland Foods line offers consistency, versatility, and chef-level performance. Whether you’re executing brunch service, dinner entrées, or catering for a holiday crowd, these six items provide anchor points around which you can build efficient, on-trend dishes.
Talk to your Athena Farms rep today to secure your Roland Foods ingredients and prepare your menu for a flavorful, successful season ahead.