While reading through this months issue of Total Foodservice Magazine, we came across an interesting article by af&co and Carbonate discussing the increasing diversity in food trends for 2024. We've broken some of them down below along with our favorite recipes!
Cross-Cultural Cooking:
In this fusion of flavors, chefs creatively combine traditional American dishes with elements from diverse global cuisines, resulting in unique and exciting culinary creations. This approach often involves experimenting with diverse ingredients, cooking techniques, and spices, leading to a harmonious blend of flavors that reflect the rich tapestry of cultural influences in the United States.
Image shown is food from Fatima's Grill in Williamsburg, NY
Meringue and Whipped Cream Inspired Desserts
The resurgence of the meringue and whipped cream trend marks a nostalgic return to classic and indulgent desserts. In recent times, pastry chefs and home bakers alike are rediscovering the artistry of creating delicate meringue and luscious whipped cream-based treats. Meringue, with its crisp exterior and soft, airy interior, adds a delightful textural contrast to desserts, while whipped cream brings a luxurious and velvety finish. From pavlovas adorned with fresh fruits to decadent layered cakes, this trend embraces the timeless appeal of these two components, elevating both traditional and contemporary dessert recipes.
Pavlova Dessert, Recipe can be found here
Korean Cuisine:
Korean inspired cuisine has been holding strong as a 2024 food trend in the states. Fast-food fried chicken, communal DIY BBQ, hot pot concepts, high-end steakhouses and more are but a few things you can expect to see in new and upcoming restaurants.
Korean Dumpling Hot Pot, Recipe can be found here
Culinary Inspired Cocktails:
In the past few years, bartenders are making drinks with ingredients more often found on a plate. Culinary cocktails they're nicknamed. As the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts explains this,
Culinary cocktails borrow ingredients and techniques from the kitchen in order to develop innovative new flavors. As Cool Hunting noted, progressive American restaurants are a major influence on bartenders or mixologists who spend days experimenting with various flavor combinations.
Imagine a vodka with carpano bianco, salers apertif, sencha, mint, cucumber and lime (a signature drink form LA-restaurant .ink).
Terra Rossa: Created by Nicolas O'Connor, Director of Mixology and Culinary Arts, Apotheke NoMad, New York, NY
Clarified Cocktails:
Recipes from the past century have been resurfacing in usage, and with clarification techniques, drinks are turning into clear cocktails with a punch of hidden flavor. Mixology and technology combined.
theGOAT: Created by Robert Struthers, Beverage Director at Gair, Brooklyn, NY
To read more about these notable trends, please visit the Total Food Service's Digital Book article, titled "Top Food & Beverage Trends for 2024, According to AF&Co. & Carbonate" (pg. 10 & con't pg. 108).
Sources:
Read our Digital Magazine issue from Total Food Service. Total Food Service. (2024, January 8). https://totalfood.com/digital-issue/
Alarcón, C. (2023, August 3). 10 food-inspired cocktails from extraordinary bars and restaurants. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/claudiaalarcon/2023/07/31/10-food-inspired-cocktails-from-extraordinary-bars-and-restaurants/?sh=351d532c9385
Team, E. (2024, January 5). Drinking your dinner: Culinary and Edible Cocktails. https://www.escoffier.edu/blog/world-food-drink/drinking-your-dinner-culinary-and-edible-cocktails/