Research and White Papers
Top 20 Menu Trends of 2012
By Matt Alderton
December 14, 2011
Trends that start at restaurants often spread to catered meetings, banquets and events. Meeting planners should therefore take note: The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has released its list of the top 20 menu trends of 2012 — many of which could be coming soon to a meeting near you.
Based on a survey of nearly 1,800 professional chefs, all of who are members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), the NRA's "What's Hot in 2012" survey reveals that locally sourced food will be diners' top priority in the New Year, followed closely by nutrition — especially for children, in case your meeting is family-friendly.
"The top menu trends we're seeing in our 'What's Hot in 2012' survey reflect the macro-trends we have seen grow over the last several years," said Joy Dubost, Ph.D, R.D., NRA's director of Nutrition & Healthy Living. "Nutrition — especially when it comes to children — is becoming a major focus for the nation's nearly one million restaurants, in tune with consumers' increasing interest in healthful eating. Local sourcing of everything — from meat and fish, to produce, to alcoholic beverages — is another big trend for 2012. Local farms and food producers have become an important source of ingredients for chefs and restaurateurs wishing to support the members of their business community and highlight seasonal ingredients on menus."
According to the NRA's survey, the top menu trends for next year will be:
1. Locally sourced meats and seafood
2. Locally grown produce
3. Healthful kids' meals
4. Hyper-local items
5. Sustainability as a culinary theme
6. Children's nutrition as a culinary theme
7. Gluten-free/food allergy-conscious items
8. Locally produced wine and beer
9. Sustainable seafood
10. Whole grain items in kids' meals
11. Newly fabricated cuts of meat
12. Farm/estate-branded items
13. Food trucks/street food
14. Artisan spirits
15. House-made/artisan ice cream
16. Health/nutrition as a culinary theme
17. Non-traditional fish
18. Fruit/vegetable kids' side items
19. Children's mini-meals (i.e. smaller versions of adult menu items)
20. Culinary cocktails
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