If you thought trends were only something that happened in fashion, you’re wrong. It’s safe to say, what we eat overrides what we wear. Though what people eat can depend greatly on culture, it’s still possible to predict food trends because let’s face it, trends are formed through social media. As social media platforms such as Instagram are becoming a major influencing factor on what we eat, chefs around the world are constantly coming up with new flavors and tastes, further propelling the industry. Want to know what’s going to be trending over the next couple of years? Well, here are 5 food trends that are taking over the industry.
Plant-based meals are the new hit
You can thank #instafit for that as social media has placed an emphasis on the importance of eating more plant-based meals. Well, though it started in someone’s home kitchen, it’s now become a massive trend, with more restaurants moving away from heavy comfort foods like grilled cheese sandwiches and mac-and-cheese, restaurants are now opting for plant-based meals that won’t have eaters hating themselves after their meal. Plus, it opens the doors for vegan and vegetarian customers.
But is it Instagram worthy?
If you can’t get 100 likes from it, is it even worth eating it? Now, that’s the question that’s circulating many food lovers. Though people are looking for a tasty meal, it seems that the display of the food is what matters more. Food lovers want to eat meals that are photogenic and will have their followers drooling over. Food styling is now becoming a major trend for the restaurant industry as Instagram can make or break a restaurant's reputation, so you want to make sure that 1994 Latour wine is perfectly framed alongside your platter of cheese and take a few pictures before you even begin eating.
Reduced food waste
Well, Leonardo DiCaprio’s documentary about the planet must have had some effect as now restaurants are focusing on root-to-stem cooking. What does this mean? It’s about increasing the usability of food in order to reduce waste. As climate change becomes an increasingly important global topic, the food industry is looking at ways on how to reduce their waste. Zero waste eating will continue to grow in popularity.
Food transparency
As more people are becoming conscious about their health, they want to know where their food is coming from. Menu labeling will be increased as it’ll display calorie count and options for food allergies and alternative substitutions. As consumers are becoming more aware of what they’re eating, the industry is now focusing on food transparency. Restaurants offering no GMOs, organic, no hormones added will excel in the upcoming years.
It’s about the experience
People are interested in going out to have a meal just for the fun of it, they want an experience. In 2017, food halls grew by 700 percent. This is because customers are looking for something different. They can get a well-cooked meal anywhere, but they want something entertaining to go along with it. Whether it’s a eating in the dark restaurant, live band or a pop-up, customers want a complete experience when eating.