4 minute read
2023's biggest foods and flavors
Change is constant. Flexibility drives success.
Amidst stop-and-go economic recovery, a still-shifting supply chain and rapidly evolving consumer demands, 2023 is proving to be another turbulent year that will continue to test hospitality-driven businesses. However, for those business leaders flexible enough to shift and pivot as needed, rewards come in the form of brand growth and customer loyalty.
Flexibility and evolution are not enough, though. Business leaders must remain in tune with consumer demands and changing culinary trends, to ensure operational focus in the areas that matter most.
Not sure where to focus first? Here are the five culinary trends that Entegra expects will impact the food service industry in a major way in 2023.
More focus on the main course
Consumer interest in dessert is down 51% and, similarly, consumers self-report a 47% drop in ordering appetizers. As inflation rises and customers reevaluate their purchasing priorities, businesses must adapt by delivering more value and greater quality where consumers justify their spending: the main course.
"Plant-forward" over plant-based
Menu trends are moving away from vegan-focused options to dishes that are “plantforward” instead. Plant-forward dishes and meals incorporate animal proteins, but on a smaller scale than might be expected. This style of eating, typically seen in Mediterranean diets, is consistently popular worldwide but represents a large shift in American cuisine.
(Source: Datassential Trendspotting / / VOL. 107, November 2022)
With inflation significantly impacting the price of animal proteins, taking a plant-forward approach to menuing can help hospitality driven businesses and their customers both save money, while retaining quality. (Forty percent of consumers say they plan to purchase plant-based meat substitutes in 2023!)
As a bonus, plant-forward thinking is also a sustainable strategy.
Meat accounts for nearly 60% of all greenhouse gases from food production, so reducing the amount of meat in each meal can help reduce your company’s scope 3 emissions footprint.
(The World Economic Forum: Climate Change)
Elegant comfort food
Comfort food represents a strong opportunity for businesses with foodservice to reinvent menus with sure-bet flavors, while also reducing the need for animal proteins and cutting costs. Comfort foods typically originate from hard-working, bluecollar communities, and thus rely heavily on grains or starches.
Elevating these comforting, familiar, favorite foods will provide value to consumers in a cost-effective manner.
Medicinal eating
As a result of easier access to information on how specific foods can affect their health, more customers are taking a natural approach to dining, looking at food in a new, health-conscious light. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean customers are looking specifically for low-calorie or heart healthy options. Instead, they’re looking toward anti-inflammatory ingredients and ingredients such as spices, herbs and mushrooms that boast medicinal effects. While these ingredients have been staples of many cultures’ cuisines for centuries, Americans have traditionally subscribed, instead, to a highly inflammatory diet laden with foods such as red meat and refined grains.
As medicinal eating trends continue, chefs can shift their focus to anti-inflammatory ingredients that will satisfy guests’ appetites for more health-conscious menu items.
Viral international food recipes
Social media sites such as TikTok have inspired millions to step outside their culinary comfort zones. Now, recipes and food preparation lessons are shared instantly, across the entire world, creating a “new generation of foodies”.
Because of this, previously inaccessible foreign flavors are becoming mainstream. Additionally, interesting-looking or uniquely designed food products can earn a large internet appeal. Bao buns, Korean gochujang, Japanese koji and Dalgona coffee are now all on America’s food radar. Savvy brands can and should tap into these social media-inspired food trends to stay ahead.
(Source: Trendhunter, “Viral Flavor.”)
*2023 and 2024 Flavor and ingredient predictions source: Datassential Trendspotting / VOL. 107, November 2022
To learn more about Entegra's culinary services or the Entegra Performance Kitchen, visit our website or snap the QR code below.
www.EntegraPS.com/culinaryservices.html
