Is It Instagram Worthy

Instagram offers everyone a visual way to share what's on the table—especially Millennials, who spend an average of 4% more at restaurants than Baby Boomers. 

Here's some advice to help you make the most of this important social media spotlight: 

1. Show off your personality 
Instagram is your opportunity to excite customers with a perfect presentation of your favorite dishes, and then get rewarded with increased traffic. Keep authenticity in mind for a share-worthy photo. Show off the distinctive items that make your menu unique and stay true to your operation. 

2. Go for a bold presentation 
Bold presentations pay off big-time on the screen. When a dish looks delicious, it encourages consumer participation on your social media platform. That buzz can bring in local traffic and has the potential to garner international attention, like the multicolored Rainbow Bagel that went viral for the Bagel Store in Brooklyn. 

3. Keep it simple 
You don't have to add sparkles to get food noticed. Use white dishware to contrast with colorful foods. Go with a thoughtful presentation that highlights a few distinctive elements, like the oozing chocolate in the middle of a dessert or the juiciness of a perfectly cooked burger. Dishes that contain a surprise element, like a perfectly soft-boiled egg that sits in the middle builds anticipation. 

4. Get colorful 
Use the bright natural colors of herbs and vegetables to make your recipes pop. Contrasting dark and light colors and bright, complementary colors paired next to each other work well, like the vegetables and rice in a Unicorn bowl. Orange Parisian carrots are highlighted next to green edamame, carefully arranged avocado, and rice. White rice gets a makeover when cooked with purple cabbage for a cool visual effect. 

5. Go vertical 
Layers of depth add visual interest to a picture. To draw a viewer's eye to a photo, make your dish the focal point in the foreground and keep your background simple. Playing with the viewpoint can also add depth. Create vertical lines by stacking ingredients, like burgers with textured toppings, bowls with colorful layers, and sauce ‘shots.' 

6. Think odd numbers 
You'll get a more balanced look by arranging things in odd numbers. Contrast that with a few symmetrical elements, like an avocado ‘rose' made with fans of avocado slices. It's this attention to detail that makes food worthy of sharing. 

7. Leave space 
Negative space on the plate draws attention to the details. Think innovative sauces carefully dotted along a plate, or artistic appetizers placed carefully in the center of a plate. Let the food be the center of attention. 

Promote your limited-time offers on Instagram 
In addition to creating menu items consumers want to share, Instagram visual platform is an ideal venue to promote your limited-time offers (LTOs). 

Use social media for safe experimentation. Test bold flavors and LTOs on the screen. A dish that garners attention could be something to offer each season. Instagram doesn't require expensive equipment or a big investment, so it's open to anyone who has great-looking food to share. It's also an easy way to visually taste test new concepts and find out if consumers are hungry for more. 

It's not science. It's food art. 
One final piece of advice to keep in mind when you're Instagramming? Have fun with it! Enjoy Instagram as an opportunity to showcase the creativity in your kitchen, promote your operation, and connect with consumers in a fun, engaging way. In a world where patrons eat with their eyes first, Instagram can be the operator's best friend. 

Content courtesy of Simplot Foods 

1CPP 2017/2018 
2Technomic, Generational CTR, 2018 
3USDA Food Expenditure Series, 2018 
4Datassential, Blueprint for LTO Success, 2018 
5Eater, "Going Viral"