Perhaps the most exciting and difficult time for a new or existing restaurant is the creation of the menu. This is a time when chefs, owners, managers, and designers come together with a vision to separate themselves from competition and create a unique dining experience. Essentially, a restaurant’s menu is setting the foundation for the establishment’s future success, and while the individual food options are important, the cover is what really makes the menu stand out.
Presentation is the most powerful tool in selling a good product in the culinary industry, which is why the restaurant menu cover is just as important as the way each food item is presented on a plate. However, before the process of developing a menu can begin, dozens of considerations must be given. Tradition, content, visual design, location, time period, and culture are just a few of the criteria that are taken into account. So, how has this timeless process of menu creation evolved the style and fashion of such covers over time?