More than just good food

Why strong brands also count in gastronomy
© Pexels / Mikael Blomkvist
© Pexels / Mikael Blomkvist
Friederike Bothe Photo from: https://www.vividangelo.com/
11. March 2025 | 
Friederike Bothe
11. March 2025
|
Friederike Bothe

Why are we magically attracted to a certain smartphone, while another hardly attracts any attention? Why is the logo of a brand so deeply imprinted in our consciousness that we immediately recognize it even on a faded poster? The answer is obvious: Intuitive design, strategic storytelling and communication that is not instructive, but makes us want it.

Communicating brands

While companies from the fashion, tech and luxury sectors have mastered these mechanisms, the F&B world remains surprisingly reserved in this respect. Food is cooked with heart and served with passion - but the power of consistent, visually appealing brand communication remains untapped in many places. There is enormous potential here!

The big fast food franchises have of course long since recognized that it is not only the product, but also the brand experience that drives decisions. However, if you want to successfully bring sustainable, healthy cuisine into the mainstream, you not only have to convince with quality and values, but also with an aesthetic that arouses emotions and creates desire – for good food, for conscious enjoyment, for a lifestyle that combines sustainability with pleasure.

Storytelling that works: How values become visible and tangible

The future of gastronomy belongs to businesses that see sustainability as both an ethical obligation and an opportunity. This is not just about the origin and processing of products, but also about focusing on their added value through targeted presentation, communication and positioning. Sustainability and desirability can go hand in hand – if there is a strategy behind it.

One thing is clear: consumers value sustainability – and show this with their purchasing behavior. 92% state that sustainability is important when choosing a brand. Terms such as “organic” are more in demand than ever, while newer concepts such as regenerative agriculture, carbon footprint or responsible sourcing are becoming increasingly important in the branding context.

Our conclusion for the future

The aim is to translate familiar mechanisms from the world of valuable brands into the food service industry. Ideally, this will create a certain addictive factor – a culinary experience that not only offers enjoyment, but also triggers a release of dopamine. Guests should have the satisfying feeling of doing something good for themselves (and the world) and want to satisfy this craving again and again – until they automatically become enthusiastic regulars.

Read more about pleasurable communication in the first Genusspunkt e-paper!

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!
Copyright for the featured images used:
© Pexels / Mikael Blomkvist

Wellness with alpine views

Seven of the most beautiful pools in the Alps

From breathtaking views to innovative design – these spectacular pool concepts in the Alps show how hotels can score points with experience value and offer their guests deep relaxation with distant views.

From the field to the plate, from the garden to the cup

How restaurateurs are taking sustainable paths with home-grown produce

The fact that gastronomy and agriculture go hand in hand is certainly nothing new. But Klemens Gold has created something that is not commonplace in Austria in Pechgraben in Großraming: he has opened a tea garden. How local agriculture is opening up new opportunities for gastronomy.

Book tip of the week: Tunisian vegan

An aromatic journey through Tunisian cuisine

With “Tunisian vegan”, Malek M’hiri takes us on a colorful and aromatic journey through Tunisian cuisine – without any animal products. This book is more than just a collection of recipes: it tells the story of tradition, family and the unique flavors of Tunisia.

The 60 recipes show how diverse and creative Tunisian cuisine is, even in its plant-based form. Classics such as brightly colored shakshuka, spicy dumplings or steaming couscous become an experience through Malek’s vegan interpretations. The playful approach to ingredients and spices is particularly charming – there is less weighing up and more combining and seasoning. It is precisely this freedom that makes you want to discover the cuisine according to your own preferences.

The variety of recipes ranges from sweet Sunday breakfasts with millet pudding to hearty street food creations such as brik. Harissa, garlic and Tunisian olive oil play a central role and give the dishes their typical intensity. Malek not only conveys the recipes themselves, but also the knowledge of spices, ingredients and traditional methods of preparation.

The book’s personal touch is particularly impressive: the recipes are based on Malek’s family history and combine Jewish, Amazigh and Tunisian influences. This cultural depth makes each dish a piece of lived history that can be relived in the kitchen at home.

Info:
Löwenzahn Verlag
ISBN 978-3-7066-2990-4
160 pages

quick & dirty
It's time for enjoyable communication © Pexels / Mikael Blomkvist
More than just good food

Why are we magically attracted to a certain smartphone, while another hardly attracts any attention? Why is the logo of a brand so deeply imprinted in our consciousness that we immediately recognize it even on a faded poster? The answer is obvious: Intuitive design, strategic storytelling and communication that is not instructive, but makes us want it.