While great restaurants will always have their signature dishes, an establishment that incorporates top food trends in addition to menu staples has true staying power. What trends are patron’s demanding most? Check out five top food trends for 2014 and beyond.
Locally sourced foods
From produce to meats, restaurant goers seek menus that feature locally sourced foods. Make sure you build a great relationship with your local farmer or rancher, then note where foods come from on your menu to increase sales. Some businesses even feature roof-top restaurant gardens for quick access to fresh herbs and other greens.
Dishes for Food Sensitivities
People with food sensitivities and differing dietary needs will find restaurants with less restrictive menus. For example, with more people reducing or cutting out gluten from their diets, a growing number of restaurants are featuring gluten-free cuisine more prominently on their menus.
Displaying foods
More customers want to see their food and select the exact item they want, and the easiest way for restaurants to do so is through food display cases. Best for bakeries, delicatessens and cafes, food display cases are the perfect way for restaurants to market their menu items while giving customers the ability to hand-select their purchases.
More variety for children
Eating out is often a family endeavor and, until recently, children were only offered the typical hot dog, chicken fingers and grilled cheese. Many restaurants are taking a fresh approach to the kid’s menu, offering new, creative options for kids that are not only fun, but healthier too.
Classic comfort foods are seeing a resurgence on menus thanks to chefs who are taking an upscale approach to traditional favorites. Think mac and cheese with morel mushrooms or shepherd’s pie with sundried tomatoes and grass-fed beef. These dishes continue to evolve and keep patron’s guessing – a reason to return again and again.
