The Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year, Madi Gras – if there is a time for everything under the sun, then I would have to say the next few weeks will be a time for celebration – and, I’ll say, it’s long overdue.  There’s no better time than now to start the hype train, so let’s get rolling while the tracks are clear, and the light is green.
 
The Bears aren’t in it, but Brady is, and that’s enough to get most interested, love him or hate him.  If you’re thinking about catering for the ‘bowl, you can fly higher than wings can take you with Swordfish kebobs or Mahi tacos.  The full moon is past us, so we will be seeing these species crop up regularly with great quality for a few weeks.  These meaty specials can provide the cure for beef burnout.
 
Lobsters will be on everyone’s mind as we approach true love’s day and Fortune will have everything you need, from size to quality.  With the Chinese New Year happening the same weekend, it will be best to get your lobster requirements in early because demand will triple for that week.  Don’t get left out in the cold with nothing special for your special someone. 
 
Diamonds are precious and gold doesn’t tarnish.  We have the culinary equivalent in some diamond quality Golden Tile Fish.  These hook-and-line fish out of Florida have been extraordinary.  They will only be around for a couple of weeks, so take advantage of these East Coast jewels.
 
Due to Illinois law, we can no longer sell live crayfish, but we won’t let that slow down the party for Mardi Gras.  We are bringing in favorites like Red Fish and Striped Bass and will have plenty of shell on, domestic Shrimp to get the boil rumbling.  Get the beads out of the closet and dust off the old chalice, it’s time to turn it up! 

Gourmet Gab

Restaurants are opening back up just in time for Valentine’s Day.  The ultimate Valentine’s day menu should include a romantic risotto. Whether you are going for a basic version or a next level seafood risotto with lobster, Fortune has everything you need.

If the star of the Big Game is the quarterback (Brady or Mahome), then the star of risotto is the rice.  Many chefs argue which rice is the G.O.A.T. of risotto.  One name that rises to the top every time is Acquerello.  Acquerello is a carnaroli rice unlike any other.  Carnaroli rice is an Italian medium-grained rice with a higher starch content and firmer texture than most common arborio rice. It is perfect for risotto.  Besides being organic, the folks at Acquerello do two things that nobody else does in the rice world.  First, they age their rice.  It is aged in refrigerated vats for 1.5 years in the husk/hull. Aging the rice stabilizes the starch and makes the rice able to absorb more liquid and makes it less likely to break from over cooking.  The second thing they do at Acquerello that no one else does is regerminate the rice, giving it this nutty flavor.  All this special treatment makes this risotto rice a top contender for the G.O.A.T. 

If you already have Valentine’s Day covered and your focus is getting your customers ready to celebrate the Big Game, we have all the salsas you need.  Whether you go with Local Folks, Two Men and a Garden or Food for Thought, Fortune has your chips covered.  Call your salesperson for more information.