What's Hot For 2017? Foodie Trends For This Year

Wondering what's on the menu for the year ahead? The National Restaurant Association in the US recently released its annual What’s Hot Culinary Forecast. As we launch into 2017, there’s good news for fans of hand-made goodies, cheap cuts of meat and exotic spices. And it’s bad news for quinoa. 

The National Restaurant Association surveyed around 1,300 professional chefs to find out where food and dining trends are heading for the coming year. One of the biggest shifts will see a move away from ‘ingredient-based’ dining to ‘concept-based’ dining. Consumers can indulge their preference for concepts like sustainability, nutrient-dense food or artisan creations. On the flip side, so-called fad foods like quinoa and forbidden rice are set to become yesterday’s news.

The survey takes a look at upcoming trends for both the overall experience and food of dining out.

2017 Forecasts: The Dining Experience

It’s 2017; how can we talk about the experience without talking about technology? While franchise food outlets embraced technology years ago, it seems that your local restaurant will also jump on the bandwagon.

Mobile app technology will give customers the ability to quickly and simply make reservations, order a meal, or access a loyalty card. App technology gives diners a simple and fast way to access the restaurant that beats the hassle of going via a website. Restaurants who are looking for a competitive edge may use push notifications to advise customers when menus are updated, or new offers are available. 

It seems we love a concept when it comes to dining out. So, this year expect restaurants to dream up amazing experiences for diners. Unlike the cheesy themes of fast food dining, this is more about delivering a unique, all-encompassing experience. For restaurants already doing this well, check out the inner-city chic of Pilkington’s in Auckland or Miss Clawdy's hot and humid slice of Louisiana in the Wynyard Quarter.

2017 Forecasts: The food

It’s good news for those looking for healthy choice this year. Expect side dishes to get a makeover from the tired green salad to tasty, nourishing goodness. 

Another favourite for many chefs heading into 2017 is the use of exotic spices, particularly those less common like berbere or tsire. Expect spices to pop up in desserts and cocktails to add some zing. Many spices pack a punch when it comes to healing properties, so will suit those seeking healthy options.

Expect your main meals to offer much more than the standard cuts of meat. Chefs are looking to add their magic to affordable cuts like shoulder tender, oyster steak and strip steaks.

Other hot trends on the radar are street-food inspired dishes, authentic ethnic food, healthy kids’ meals.

One of the favourite predictions is the continued popularity of local, artisan and house-made fare. Expect restaurants to serve up house-made charcuterie, pickles, sausages and other condiments as well as house-grown herbs and vegetables. Onsite beer brewing is another artisan trend predicted to make it big. Local artisans will deliver cheese, cured meats and craft spirits. As we have seen so often throughout 2016, expect your meat and seafood to be local and sustainable.