How to Turn Leftovers into Profit

The idea of creating specials from leftovers seems like an oxymoron. What is special about leftovers? Most people have been faced with a leftover nightmare or two. Remember the one where mom's leftover pot roast is chasing you down an endless hallway as it changes into beef vegetable soup, chili, some variation of pasta and finally a cold, dry, sandwich stuffed into the school lunchbox? It's a good thing that mom isn't a line cook at the restaurant.

The challenge remains for most professional cooks to make something out of nothing, something that tastes good, and -- most importantly -- that sells. Keeping perfectly good food from the trash can is important to reducing food costs, which is critical in keeping your operation "in the black."