What are going to be the biggest food trends of 2019?

2018 was the year of avocados, street food and free-from foods. As we now turn our heads towards the New Year, what food trends are going to emerge in 2019?

This year we once again ask chefs the question, what food trends are going to be big in 2019?

Bidfood has recently posted an article discussing the four new ‘Mega Trends’ that are expected to influence consumer choice in the upcoming year.

The first of these ‘Mega Trends’ is ‘Good For Me, Good For You’. In essence this is the rise of the conscious consumer, people who buy food that is not only good for them, but for the planet too.

‘Gourmet Get Together’ is the second trend, which revolves around the idea that people look to food to provide comfort, especially in these uncertain times; so consumers will look for dishes that provide a sense of nostalgia.

Third is, ‘Awaken My Senses’. Social media is a huge part of the world today and consumers want to show off and share what they have been eating. Expect more playful and colourful dishes to appear to satiate this desire.

Last, but not least is ‘Telling a Story’, linking into the first point, people want to know the provenance of their food not only from a sustainability perspective, but also because people want to know the story behind their food as well.

That’s what a wholesaler expects but what do chefs think is going to be big in the coming year?

A common theme amongst most of the chefs is that there will be more plant based cuisine, not necessarily vegan, but with more vegetables. Rory Lovie, head chef at Bridgeview Station in Dundee, thinks that chefs will have to put ‘two or maybe three [vegan] dishes on the menu’ and he also believes that some of the classics will be reintroduced and shown to younger chefs.

Anjula Devi, chef and food author, thinks that there will be a rise in ‘meat-free days’ in restaurants, and also thinks there will be a rise in casual dining.

Adam Handling, chef owner of the Frog Group, expects that gin will be succeeded by whisky in the coming year as people’s tipple of choice. He also thinks that a ‘more formal style of food may creep in. Not as much as 10 years ago but a little’.

We also took to twitter to see what food trends our followers expected to see, and the survey said that a whopping 56% of you thought that the biggest trend of 2019 is going to be sustainable consumption.

Some companies have predicted that the new trends to hit food and drink in 2019 will be more sustainable consumption, fermenting more foods, and greater convenience. ????????????What do you think is going to be the biggest trend? #food #drink

— The Staff Canteen (@CanteenTweets) December 11, 2018

So, Bidfood is expecting a rise in the conscious consumer, chefs are expecting more plant based cuisine and our survey also agreed with more than half or respondents expecting the biggest trend to be sustainable consumption.

Other predictions included bugs and ants crawling onto our dinner table and that fermentation will continue to grow in popularity. And Waitrose has announced that it expects bitter food and drink to be one of the next big things as well as ice cream and alcohol free cocktails.

Regardless of the source it seems then the biggest trend of 2019 will be mindful, healthier consumption. Eating healthier, sustainable foods, from nearer by and with less alcohol to accompany them!

What trends do you think are going to be big for your restaurant in 2019? Let us know by commenting below or head over to our Facebook page or Twitter to keep the conversation going.

By Cameron Huck