Tell Us What You Think

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from the Saint Louis Bread Company (AKA Panera) asking if I would like to participate in a session "to test some new flavors". To be considered, I had to fill out an application that asked what I thought of some of their current menu items, if there were any ingredients I didn't like or couldn't eat, and my availability for the scheduled dates and times. Several days later I received another message telling me I had been selected. 

My day to participate was today. I had a 15-minute time frame to show up at the company's Test Kitchen in a generic strip mall about ten minutes away from my house. Inside the building there was a table filled with plain brown paper bags. The woman behind the table asked for my name, then invited me to select any one of the bags to take with me. She said that by checking in I would receive an email link to the feedback survey, which had to be completed within two hours.

I drove home, opened the survey, and emptied the bag. Part of my agreement with the company was that I was not to disclose any information about the test. I will say that my bag contained two carry out containers, each holding an item to be tested. The items were similar, but had different toppings. I tasted each, then recorded my impressions on the feedback survey. At the end they wanted to know which item I liked better and why.

My reward for my time (other than feeling important because I got to express my opinion on something that might actually show up in the restaurant) was a yummy lunch today and a Panera e-gift card that will arrive in a couple of weeks.

Image - Katherine Ab / Pixabay

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