Blog Posts
As predicted by the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the following are hot food and beverage trends for the upcoming year. Check out what you can expect to see in 2014:
1. Locally sourced meats and seafood
2. Locally grown produce
3. Environmental sustainability
4. Healthful kids’ meals
5. Gluten-free cuisine
6. Hyper-local sourcing (e.g. restaurant gardens)
7. Children’s nutrition
8. Non-wheat noodles/pasta (e.g. quinoa, rice, buckwheat)
9. Sustainable seafood
10. Farm/estate branded items
Customers are becoming increasingly concerned with what they eat and where their food comes from – this is reflected by the research performed by the NRA. This goes beyond fads; these trends represent a shift in modern society over time, focusing on food preparation, presentation, and the dietary profiles of meals.
Sourcing locally and environmental sustainability go hand-in-hand with ongoing efforts to provide healthier food options for people, especially children. Nutrition is incredibly important in the foodservice industry, and chefs must adapt to the constant changes and updates to recipes that fit the desires on modern restaurant goers.
Aside from food, beverages will also be taking some interesting turns next year. Expect to see micro-distilled/artisan spirits, locally produced beer/wine/spirits, onsite barrel-aged drinks, culinary cocktails (e.g. savory, fresh ingredients), and regional signature cocktails.
Compared to previous years, items that have remained top 20 food trends include locally grown produce, healthful kids’ meals, gluten-free cuisine, sustainable seafood, and health/nutrition. Items that have dropped considerably down the list from the top 20 food trends include gelato, micro-greens, flatbreads, tapas/meze/dim sum, and dessert flights.
With the upcoming trends of 2014, will you be able to adjust? Will you consider revising your menu to reflect the changing tastes of your customers? According to the research of the NRA, six out of ten chefs always make an effort to adjust dishes and recipes to be more healthful, while one-third said they cook with nutrition in mind, but that not all recipes can be easily adjusted.
When it comes to the latest trends in the foodservice industry, Source1 Purchasing remains in the know, allowing you to stay updated and continue to run operations smoothly. To learn more about how Source1 can help improve your business, visit our website at www.Source1Purchasing.com.
