By Donna Hodge, CSEP, CMP
As we move into spring, what’s hot in cuisine this year? Back to the basics. The food trends are going back to more locally sourced foods and being more environmentally conscious.
According to a survey done by 700 chefs, members of the American Culinary Federation for the National Restaurant Association, here are The Top10 Food Trends for 2018:
1. New cuts of meat (e.g. shoulder tender, oyster steak, Vegas Strip Steak, Merlot cut)
2. House-made condiments
3. Street food-inspired dishes (tempura, kabobs, dumplings, pupusas)
4. Ethnic-inspired breakfast items (chorizo scrambled eggs, coconut milk pancakes)
5. Sustainable seafood
6. Healthful kids’ meals
7. Vegetable carb substitutes (cauliflower rice, zucchini spaghetti)
8. Uncommon herbs (chervil, lovage, lemon balm, papalo)
9. Authentic ethnic cuisine
10. Ethnic spices (harissa, curry, peri peri, ras el hanout, shichimi)
THE NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION SHOW
Last year’s annual National Restaurant Association trade show at McCormick Place, the largest foodservice trade association cornerstone event, showcased a variety of interesting companies.
One was PICK ON US, which offers many fun and toothpicks that invite unique ways to serve your appetizers. What’s so big about toothpicks you ask? Well, PICK ON US has produced some winners. They have a wide variety of eco friendly tableware, including, customized toothpicks as well as bowls, plates and tasting cups made from bamboo and palm leaves. Visit them at www.pickonus.com or call 800/874-2587 or 760/597-0276.
As more of us are entertaining at home, we are looking for simple and fun ways to design a unique table offering a memorable experience.
At the National Restaurant Association show, companies like Table Decor and Simply Baked by Hoffmaster, showcased the hottest items in the culinary industry that inspire clients, customers and consumers to want to be their own event planner. These innovate creations – from the simplest cake pan to the cutest toothpicks – not only catch your eye but taunt your palate to want to try that eye-catching dish.
Table Decor manufactures elegant table lighting and table décor, which is a must to set the mood. For unique lighting, from traditional cabaret style lamps to sleek contemporary styles, Table Décor offers a wide variety of light sources, including rechargeable battery candles, as well as real candles. To find out more, visit TableDecor at www.tabledecor.com, or call 770/432-1156.
Yes, we eat with our eyes…and the setting sends a message to the brain. “Ahh, yes, this is so pretty, I want to eat it.” From cupcakes to petit crudité cups, Hoffmaster produces unique and colorful displays to showcase your table presentation. Whether you want to embellish your cocktail or dress up your lemonade with colorful straws, the Simply Baked brand from Hoffmaster is a real eye catcher! You can find them at www.hoffmaster.com.
One of the hottest beverages items was Kombucha. What is that? It’s a fermented drink made from green or black tea. Health-Ade Kombucha showcased its wide varieties of this ancient Chinese beverage that originated around 220 B.C.
Initially known for its healing and medicinal properties, Kombucha has become the healthy beverage of choice as an effervescent probiotic tea, hence their motto “follow your gut.” Their “bubbly” probiotic teas make wonderful and healthy mocktails. For more information and where to buy, visit their website at www.health-ade.com.
