What distinguishes a signature dish from a simple favorite item?

Answer

A signature dish often carries a heavier weight of intent—it is the dish the owner or chef desires the restaurant to be known for.

Discussions online suggest a clear difference exists between what is merely a favorite and what constitutes a true signature. A favorite might simply be what staff enjoys or what consistently sells well in high volume. However, the signature dish is weighted by intent; it is the item intentionally chosen by the chef or owner to define the restaurant's artistic approach or culinary statement, even if it does not achieve the absolute highest sales figures compared to simpler, high-volume offerings.

What distinguishes a signature dish from a simple favorite item?
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