Restaurants often consider several factors when deciding what special dish to feature. Here are some common considerations:
Seasonal ingredients: Restaurants may design their specials around seasonal produce or ingredients that are currently in abundance or at their peak freshness. This allows them to offer unique and flavorful dishes that align with the time of year.
Creativity and innovation: Special dishes provide an opportunity for chefs to showcase their culinary skills and experiment with new flavors, techniques, or combinations. They might create something exciting and different to entice customers and add variety to the menu.
Customer preferences and feedback: Restaurants may take into account customer feedback, requests, and popular dishes when creating specials. They might consider their regular patrons' preferences or offer something that caters to specific dietary needs or trends.
Limited availability or exclusivity: Specials can create a sense of exclusivity and urgency, encouraging customers to try something unique that may not be available on the regular menu. It adds a level of intrigue and excitement to the dining experience.
Ingredients on hand: Sometimes, specials are created based on ingredients that need to be used before they spoil or to utilize leftovers from other dishes. This helps reduce waste and adds variety to the menu.
Market trends and inspiration: Restaurants often keep an eye on current food trends, popular flavors, or international cuisines for inspiration when developing special dishes. This allows them to tap into what's popular and cater to evolving tastes.
Ultimately, the decision-making process for specials varies from restaurant to restaurant. It often involves a combination of factors like creativity, seasonal availability, customer preferences, and the chef's expertise and inspiration.