Marlin Connections

A HUGE shoutout to our employee of the month, Karen Esposito! The votes are in, and our beloved office manager Karen is the top of the list of November's recognized employees: "Karen is so kind to absolutely everyone in the office throughout the course of the day, no matter who they are. She's got to be the most patient, level-headed, rock-solid co-worker ever. She really goes out of her way for you, without ever making it seem like a big deal or an inconvenience. She always says hello! It's incredible. Thanks Karen, you're the BEST!" You're pretty special, Karen...no two ways about it. #Connections #WeFoodBetter #TeamworkIsDreamWork #Karen #EmployeeOfTheMonth #OfficeManagement

Who has the flyest fries? Only one way to find out: Testifry! Last week, the brave souls at the Springfield office banded together to taste test eight varieties of fast food French fries (say THAT five times fast) and decide once and for all which fry would take the #1 spot. The inaugural Testifry! event was a blind tasting, advancing through the rounds to the final matchup: Culver's Crinkle Cut Fries vs. Taco Bell Nacho Fries. It was a delicious shock to everyone participating when the Nacho Fries won the battle. What a way to celebrate National Fast Food Day, and we encourage everyone to do their own research... especially when it comes to fries. What's your fave fry? Give us the crispy, salty details. #Connections #WeFoodBetter #FastFood #Fries4Eva #TacoBell #AlwaysRoomForFries #EveryDayIsFryDay #Testifry

Our very own trend superstar Cali is here with Trends On Deck, where she fills us in on some of the latest, weirdest food happenings. Intrepid reporter Cali touches on a few very interesting food trends, and here's a taste: With GLP-1 drugs on the rise, what's next for C-stores as they try to tackle a population's dwindling appetite? Also, new ice creams are on the horizon, and you'll never believe what they're made from... Next, she talks about the Campbell's brand revamp and new strides in biodiesel fuel to combat cooking oil waste. This one's crazy, so click on over to Trends on Deck. Thanks, Cali! #Connections #WeFoodBetter #TrendsOnDeck #FoodTrends #Campbells #CookingOil #Biodiesel #MaresMilk #PlasticIceCream #NoSoupForYou

According to the https://hubs.li/Q02W4CBs0, which has collected over 16 years of Halloween candy data, more than 3.6B is spent on holiday candy. The top three, overall? Reese's Cups, M&M's, and Hot Tamales. This varies by region, and we think it's safe to say there are some weird results (looking at you, Utah). In case you're curious, they've made an interactive map so you can see just how on-trend (or completely unhinged) your state is with their candy snacking habits. Have a safe fun holiday, and may the best candy win in 2024! #Connections #WeFoodBetter #WeCandyBetter #Halloween2024 #M&Ms #Reeses #HotTamales #TrickOrTreat

A huge shoutout to our October Employee of the Month, Megan Dickey! Megan is our Project Manager extraordinaire, always quick to keep our many tasks wrangled. We simply love working with her, so this month was an easy decision! "Megan has been busting her butt doing multiple peoples jobs and she’s always so on top of everything and responsive. I don’t know how she does it." We don't know, either! Thanks for all your hard work and a phenomenal attitude, Megan! #Connections #WeFoodBetter #ProjectManagement #Swiftie #BetterInItaly #EmployeeOfTheMonth #TeamWorkIsTheDreamWork #WeAppreciateYou #SisDeservesSomeRecognition

Howya feeling lately? (Yes, even at work…) October 10 is World Mental Health Day, and this year the focus is on work. Healthy work environments can nourish us, but stigma, discrimination, and poor or unfriendly working conditions can harm our mental health, affecting our lives both in and out of work. It takes a village to create healthier workplaces, and most of the time it doesn’t even have to be a grand gesture. For example, in addition to keeping things running smoothly, our office manager Karen Esposito is always quick with a friendly pick-me-up for the team via chat. It’s little things like that--and more-- that can make all the difference. Reach out today to someone you work with and share some genuine appreciation, even if it's for something small. You'll be glad you did. #Connections #WeFoodBetter #MentalHealthIsHealth #NormalizeTherapy #NAMI #LessStress #PositiveWorkEnvironments #SafeSpace #CheckIn #SmallGestures #EmotionalHealth

Air butter? Coke-flavored Oreos? Chik-Fil-A television? Must be another Trends On Deck. Our enthusiastic trendspotter Cali is here again to dish on the most notable food news of the last few days. What's floating to the top of her feed is a little more out-there than usual, so it's definitely worth a watch. It's a fantastic way to get up to speed on the most current events in the edible world. We won't spoil it too much, so click on over to Trends on Deck. Thanks, Cali! #Connections #WeFoodBetter #TrendsOnDeck #FoodTrends #CocaCola #Oreo #Chicago #FoodDesert #PlantBased #Butter

It’s Pumpkin Spice season, and we’re here for it. (Sort of.) Don’t mind us, we’re just multitasking viral trends over here. Our team hopped on the candy salad bandwagon using our favorite pumpkin spice offerings. Things got a little crazy, but the afternoon snack was oh, so warm and comforting. What’s your favorite way to enjoy this warm and fuzzy spice blend? #Connections #WeFoodBetter #MentalHealthIsHealth #NormalizeTherapy #NAMI #LessStress #PositiveWorkEnvironments #SafeSpace #CheckIn #SmallGestures #EmotionalHealth #PumpkinSpiceIsEverything

Get ready to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! From September 15th to October 15th, we honor the amazing heritage, diversity, achievements, and contributions of the Hispanic Americans who inspire us. What started in 1968 as a one-week celebration has only grown bigger and better with every year. This year's theme, "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together," highlights the incredible impact of Hispanic leaders on our world. Let's come together to celebrate their legacy and all they've done for us. Dig deeper into nationwide events all month long here: https://hubs.ly/Q02PsvVj0 #MarlinConnections #WeFoodBetter #DiaDeLaRaza #NationalHispanicHeritageMonth #Law100142 #TodosSomosUno #NCHEPM

Welcome to the Connections team, Leyla Wheelhouse! Chef Leyla just joined us as the Associate Director of Culinary R&D, bringing with her over 25 years of experience in the foodservice industry as well as food manufacturing and operations. Leyla started her career in fine dining in the U.S. and later gained experience in both Hong Kong and Italy through her career. As a seasoned food professional, she shared a bit with us about what she looks for in dining out, seeking out family-owned, authentic, small, off-the-beaten-path restaurants that are built on bold, heart-felt commitment: Indian, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Greek, Vietnamese, the more regionally specific the better. "Opening our mouths to each other's food can become a gateway to opening our minds to each other's cultures, which teach us endless possibility." We couldn't have said it better. Please say hi and introduce yourself if you're interested in some personalized recommendations. #Connections #WeFoodBetter #MealsOnWheels #ChefsManifesto #ChefsCookBetter #ChicagoFood #WelcomeToTheTeam #GlobalCuisine