A new year always ushers in different food trends.The year 2020 saw a rise in food delivery, with ghost kitchens and grab-and-go charcuterie becoming popular bywords. Honey butter, tajin, cardamom, and fruity flavours dominated as well.
With the onset of the worldwide pandemic, there was also a sudden increase in the practice of eating healthier foods which restaurants, caterers, and other dining establishments were able to satisfy.
In 2021, certain culinary and foodservice trends are also expected to come up.
If you have plans of becoming a chef this year, we have come up with a guide to help you with your restaurant menu development and turn your dreams into reality by considering the must-know expected trends.
With restaurants offering dine-in services again, you have to be prepared to deal with changes in the traditional dining setup.
Whether you want to open your own dining establishment or work in one as a chef, aiming to have a packed restaurant during mealtimes is a thing of the past. Depending on your location, there will be a limit to the number of diners that can be accommodated at a time.
The number of diners sitting in each table will also be limited.
The use of technology to reduce the risk of spreading bacteria and viruses inside the establishment is a trend that is likely to stay as well. Expect to use and see QR code menus, POS system checkout, advanced online ordering software, and UV lights in restaurants, cafes, and other similar establishments.
In terms of dine-in menus, small plates are here to stay. Restaurants are adopting the adage “less is more” while ensuring that each bite is bursting with flavours.
This trend is expected to stay since it reduces food waste and helps diners visualise the dishes more quickly. Customers with small appetites will also find the smaller portions less intimidating.
Some foodservice trends from 2020 are expected to spill over this year while others are yet to catch on.
Kerbside pick-up will continue to be popular since many customers still prefer to eat at home. Together with delivery services, this option means restaurants have to adapt their menus to meet these demands.
Another option that many restaurants could start offering this year is drive-in dining. Establishments simply provide a parking area where diners can eat in the privacy and safety of their vehicles.
To get their orders, customers simply order on the restaurant’s website or app or input their orders in a system.
This option allows restaurants to maximise their parking lot, continue employing their servers and cooks, and find another source of income.
Other trends you will see and should prepare for this year are single-serving packaged meals and custom meal kits, which have to be available for delivery and pick-up services.
In terms of cuisines, Italian, Indian, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese will continue to be popular. However, chefs are likely to explore and experiment with the usual dishes to create more exciting, flavourful ones.
African and Middle Eastern cuisines are also expected to gain more following.
Broadly speaking, this year, there will be a focus on global cuisine. With travel restrictions still in place, consumers want to experience the world on a plate.
Examples of items that you can include in your menu to highlight global cuisine are well-known street food and comfort dishes from different parts of the world.
Additionally, eating healthily is a trend that is expected to stay. As such, menus should highlight all healthy options.Restaurant menus should showcase vegan, gluten-free, and healthy options. Meat alternatives will feature heavily as well.
Consumers will continue to look for assurance that the food they ordered is safe for consumption.
Restaurant owners, therefore, should continue to implement industry-recommended food handling practices, cleaning and sanitation procedures in the premises, and proper personnel training.
Restaurant owners will do well to advertise these measures to ensure customers that their premises and food are safe.
Third-party food delivery service providers are also starting to help give customers assurance that they are ordering from safe and clean kitchens. Some platforms are asking their patrons to rate their orders based on food hygiene.
Additionally, with cases of food allergies rising, restaurant owners should also prioritise allergen management. Everyone involved in food preparation should be aware of the risks of cross-contamination and how to prevent them.
Keeping up with the latest trends and knowing why, when, and how to implement them are important if you want to find success as a chef.
Taking the right culinary courses in Dubai can help you stay abreast of the latest trends in the culinary and foodservice industry. Aside from getting in-depth information, you will get great advice and tips from qualified trainers regarding which ones you should jump on and how to execute them.
Reading online articles about the culinary and foodservice industry regularly can also help you keep up with the trends and ensure your workplace or business is at par with your competition.
Lastly, connect and engage with peers in the culinary world to stay up-to-date and in the know with the latest in this industry.
Trends exist and constantly change in the culinary world for a reason. Make sure you stay on top of them if you want to find success as a chef.
Explore our courses to learn how you can get a leg up in the culinary industry.
A new year always ushers in different food trends.The year 2020 saw a rise in food delivery, with ghost kitchens and grab-and-go charcuterie becoming popular bywords. Honey butter, tajin, cardamom, and fruity flavours dominated as well.
With the onset of the worldwide pandemic, there was also a sudden increase in the practice of eating healthier foods which restaurants, caterers, and other dining establishments were able to satisfy.
In 2021, certain culinary and foodservice trends are also expected to come up.
If you have plans of becoming a chef this year, we have come up with a guide to help you with your restaurant menu development and turn your dreams into reality by considering the must-know expected trends.
With restaurants offering dine-in services again, you have to be prepared to deal with changes in the traditional dining setup.
Whether you want to open your own dining establishment or work in one as a chef, aiming to have a packed restaurant during mealtimes is a thing of the past. Depending on your location, there will be a limit to the number of diners that can be accommodated at a time.
The number of diners sitting in each table will also be limited.
The use of technology to reduce the risk of spreading bacteria and viruses inside the establishment is a trend that is likely to stay as well. Expect to use and see QR code menus, POS system checkout, advanced online ordering software, and UV lights in restaurants, cafes, and other similar establishments.
In terms of dine-in menus, small plates are here to stay. Restaurants are adopting the adage “less is more” while ensuring that each bite is bursting with flavours.
This trend is expected to stay since it reduces food waste and helps diners visualise the dishes more quickly. Customers with small appetites will also find the smaller portions less intimidating.
Some foodservice trends from 2020 are expected to spill over this year while others are yet to catch on.
Kerbside pick-up will continue to be popular since many customers still prefer to eat at home. Together with delivery services, this option means restaurants have to adapt their menus to meet these demands.
Another option that many restaurants could start offering this year is drive-in dining. Establishments simply provide a parking area where diners can eat in the privacy and safety of their vehicles.
To get their orders, customers simply order on the restaurant’s website or app or input their orders in a system.
This option allows restaurants to maximise their parking lot, continue employing their servers and cooks, and find another source of income.
Other trends you will see and should prepare for this year are single-serving packaged meals and custom meal kits, which have to be available for delivery and pick-up services.
In terms of cuisines, Italian, Indian, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese will continue to be popular. However, chefs are likely to explore and experiment with the usual dishes to create more exciting, flavourful ones.
African and Middle Eastern cuisines are also expected to gain more following.
Broadly speaking, this year, there will be a focus on global cuisine. With travel restrictions still in place, consumers want to experience the world on a plate.
Examples of items that you can include in your menu to highlight global cuisine are well-known street food and comfort dishes from different parts of the world.
Additionally, eating healthily is a trend that is expected to stay. As such, menus should highlight all healthy options.Restaurant menus should showcase vegan, gluten-free, and healthy options. Meat alternatives will feature heavily as well.
Consumers will continue to look for assurance that the food they ordered is safe for consumption.
Restaurant owners, therefore, should continue to implement industry-recommended food handling practices, cleaning and sanitation procedures in the premises, and proper personnel training.
Restaurant owners will do well to advertise these measures to ensure customers that their premises and food are safe.
Third-party food delivery service providers are also starting to help give customers assurance that they are ordering from safe and clean kitchens. Some platforms are asking their patrons to rate their orders based on food hygiene.
Additionally, with cases of food allergies rising, restaurant owners should also prioritise allergen management. Everyone involved in food preparation should be aware of the risks of cross-contamination and how to prevent them.
Keeping up with the latest trends and knowing why, when, and how to implement them are important if you want to find success as a chef.
Taking the right culinary courses in Dubai can help you stay abreast of the latest trends in the culinary and foodservice industry. Aside from getting in-depth information, you will get great advice and tips from qualified trainers regarding which ones you should jump on and how to execute them.
Reading online articles about the culinary and foodservice industry regularly can also help you keep up with the trends and ensure your workplace or business is at par with your competition.
Lastly, connect and engage with peers in the culinary world to stay up-to-date and in the know with the latest in this industry.
Trends exist and constantly change in the culinary world for a reason. Make sure you stay on top of them if you want to find success as a chef.
Explore our courses to learn how you can get a leg up in the culinary industry.