Celebrity chef Brooke Williamson is introducing holiday comfort and festive cheer to corporate dining with her exclusive Cranberry-Apple Holiday Crisp, available for a limited time at Modern Recipe locations. The dessert features cinnamon-spiced cranberry apple compote with a sugar cookie crumble, topped with vanilla bean crème fraîche, drawing inspiration from Williamson's childhood holiday memories. Joe Ganci, President of Sodexo Corporate Services for North America, emphasized the importance of bringing chef-driven experiences to workplace dining. Modern Recipe is transforming everyday dining into memorable experiences that employees can share with their families beyond the workplace. The brand focuses on delivering seasonal and nourishing culinary experiences that support employee well-being through responsibly sourced, sustainable ingredients.
Williamson, who serves as Culinary Ambassador for Modern Recipe, explained the personal significance behind the dessert. Her mother would prepare baked apples and fresh cranberry sauce with orange juice as special holiday treats during her childhood. The Cranberry-Apple Holiday Crisp represents her effort to bring those cherished memories to life and share seasonal warmth and flavors with others through a dessert that evokes feelings of home. As Culinary Ambassador, Williamson infuses her signature California style into Modern Recipe's offerings with fresh, seasonal dishes that create meaningful food stories connecting with the communities the brand serves.
The holiday crisp is available as a single portion during lunch service or as a full crumble to take home for holiday gatherings, providing flexibility for employees to enjoy the dessert during busy workdays or share with loved ones at home. Modern Recipe operates as part of Sodexo's corporate dining services, with detailed information about the brand available at https://us.sodexo.com/brands/modern-recipe. The limited-time holiday offering represents the brand's commitment to elevating workplace dining through chef collaborations and seasonal menus that extend the dining experience beyond traditional corporate food service. This initiative matters because it signals a shift in corporate dining from basic sustenance to experiential, emotionally resonant food that enhances workplace culture and employee satisfaction. By incorporating chef-driven, memory-inspired dishes like Williamson's crisp, companies can foster a sense of community and well-being among employees, potentially improving morale and retention. The availability of take-home options also bridges work and personal life, allowing employees to extend positive workplace experiences to their families, which could reinforce the value of employer-provided dining benefits. Furthermore, the focus on seasonal, sustainable ingredients aligns with growing consumer demand for responsible sourcing, positioning corporate dining programs as contributors to broader environmental and health goals. This approach demonstrates how food service in professional settings is evolving to meet higher expectations for quality, authenticity, and emotional connection, making it a strategic tool for employee engagement rather than merely a functional amenity.
