The food industry is changing at a rapid pace. 2020 completely transformed the way the catering and restaurant industry operated, and the new year is likely to continue with a lot of trends started in 2020.
Here’s a forecast of the top food trends for 2021:
1 – Fermented food
Immunity building is currently a top priority for everyone, and boosting gut health is crucial since our gut houses a majority of the cells that build the immune system. Postbiotics or fermented food offer many benefits, including improving the gut wall and strengthening the immune system. That’s why we are likely to see a lot of fermented food on the menu through food items such as kefir, sauerkraut, sourdough, kimchi, tempeh, and miso soup.
2 – Foods that fight climate change
Your customers are constantly looking for ways to combat climate change and reduce their carbon footprint by opting for reusable cutlery and single-use plastic. In 2021, you can also expect the customers to demand menu items with a reduced carbon footprint. Therefore, you should include more plant-based options such as grains, beans, lentils, soy and tofu, mushrooms, and seaweed. You can also team up with local suppliers to create seasonal menus and showcase the season’s best produce.
3- Good old comfort food
The pandemic changed the way we lived. As people are slowly adapting to the new normal and eating out at a restaurant while maintaining the safety precautions, there’s a greater demand for comfort food for stress relief. A survey revealed that 69 percent of Americans are likely to enjoy the same amount of comfort food in the post-pandemic world.
If you are a local caterer, it is time to feature house favorites such as pizzas, spaghetti with meatballs, Mac-n-Cheese, hamburgers, and french fries. These dishes are expected to score big with the customers looking for comfort and warmth during these uncertain times.
4 – Healthy cocktails
Low-calorie alcoholic beverages and alcohol-free spirits will be in demand in 2021. With a larger chunk of the workforce continuing to work from home, homemade craft cocktails and boosted kombucha will occupy most refrigerator shelves. Consumers with a keen focus on wellness and health are going to opt for drinks like kombucha instead of harmful fizzy drinks as it is gluten-free, full of probiotics, and capable of delivering a boozy kick.
5 – Charcuterie boards
If you think meat and cheese are the only worthy candidates to be displayed on the charcuterie platter, get ready to be surprised. From breakfast catering options to sinful desserts — every dish you can think of can be displayed on a charcuterie board. These boards represent the perfect amalgamation of craft and food, making them aesthetically pleasing and perfect for flat lays for social media.
Wrapping up
We hope you are gearing up to embrace these exciting food trends to wow your customers.
If you want to reach out to more customers and get noticed, it is time to sign up with a catering marketplace like CaterCurator. Once you get listed on our platform, customers can locate you easily. They can even search for cater companies using filters such as cuisine and delivery time. You don’t even need to worry about deliveries as CaterCurator can provide delivery partners to get the food at your customers’ doorsteps.