Chef Chris Jaeckle of New York Uma Temakeria is championing a new style of build-your-own sushi with temaki, a loose, hand-rolled cone full of sushi rice and toppings that is extremely fast to make and very easy to personalize.
The popular New York Uma sushi restaurant draws its inspiration from the concept of a taco party, where family and friends gather around a table of ingredients. They're free to choose their own toppings buffet-style, taking what they like and leaving what they don't. Uma Temakeria shares this philosophy.
Visitors to the Temakeria line up in front of a counter much like the one you would find in a burrito or sandwich shop. They can either choose from one of Chef Jaeckle's six signature temaki, or create their own out of the ingredients displayed in front of them. Then the temaki makers assemble their meal before their eyes. It's a revolution in the normally formal creation of the universally popular Japanese food.
Custom Grab-and-Go Sushi
New York Uma Temakeria Serves Fast, Personalized Taco-Style Sushi
Trend Themes
1. Build-your-own Food - The trend of allowing customers to personalize their food choices provides an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the restaurant industry.
2. Fast Casual Dining - The rise of fast casual dining experiences, like the counter-style ordering at Uma Temakeria, presents an opportunity to introduce convenience and customization in the food industry.
3. Informal Food Presentation - The shift towards casual and interactive food presentations, such as the taco party concept, opens up opportunities to reimagine traditional cuisines and create unique dining experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Restaurant Industry - The build-your-own food trend can be leveraged by restaurants to attract customers who seek personalized dining experiences.
2. Fast Food Industry - Fast food chains can adopt the fast casual dining approach to offer more customization options and compete with traditional fast food establishments.
3. Catering Industry - The informal food presentation trend provides an opportunity for caterers to offer interactive and customizable dining experiences for events and gatherings.