Bidfood has revealed what it believes will be the leading food and drink and wider social trends that will shape the industry in 2021.
The findings from the new report commissioned by the wholesaler looks at what foodservice outlets will be serving next year, including cuisine flavours, twists and tastes:
Key Food and drink dining trends
Wellness my way: With diet, exercise and weight management front of mind, it’s authorities like the World Health Organisation driving the messages around healthy diets, and the ‘crucial role’ they play in fighting off Coronavirus. For some consumers, that means adopting new diets and lifestyles. For others, it’s about subtler changes to their routine. For example, healthy swaps and additions to dishes.
Careful consumption: In the new age of transparency, there’s nowhere to hide irresponsible practices or eye-watering air miles. Consumers look to support low impact and local businesses, as well as brands and producers that align with their values on diversity and equality. We’re seeing tangible action for causes and for the future.
Little luxuries: Consumers are looking for ways to elevate everyday experiences. For some, it’s as simple as upgrading simple rituals like tea and breakfast with a little gourmet twist. Think a rare tea with an exotic flavour profile. For others, it’s about upgrading with craft ingredients such as, truffle oil or experimenting with natural biodynamic wine. There’s also a growing appreciation for craft technique.
Food for the soul: Consumers are looking to make their homes and family lives as comfortable as possible. They’re staying on top of meal planning and schedules, with cooking having become the national pastime. The need to seek comfort through food means that the once unpopular ‘carbs’ are now firmly back in fashion and #cottagecore rules.
The new normal: Places previously considered safe are sadly no longer with the threat of a virus. Foodservice is going to great lengths to reassure us, but the pandemic has also signalled acceleration in online solutions that companies were working on anyway. Science has become the great hope of a society facing impending food insecurity and climate crisis. Gene editing has the ability to make crops more resilient to pests and climatic stresses, as well as produce higher yields. Meanwhile, acellular and cellular agriculture enables us to culture meat and dairy without killing (or sometimes, without even using) animals.
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Cuisines: With restrictions on travel this year, it may feel as if the world is getting smaller but, from a culinary perspective, it continues to expand. Well established cuisines, such as Italian, Japanese and Indian, are being explored in more depth, with rising influences from African and regional Indian or Middle Eastern cuisines. Global cuisine is all about fluid creativity, based on a ‘no rules’ approach to culinary creation, taking formats, flavours, techniques and ingredients from anywhere and everywhere.
Macro social trends
Alongside the food and drink dining trends set to shape 2021, wider macro social trends have also become increasingly apparent. These trends continue to reveal shifts in consumer attitudes, behaviours and lifestyles, as well as showing that economic, social and sustainable influences are changing how we think, make decisions and act.
These social trends explore:
· Local landscape
· Ethics in action
· Whole health
· Safe & seamless
· Faith in the future
