Well, Happy 2021. In truth, I did not get all excited about this event. The sun sets, the sun rises - and I saw no reason why January 1 would be so different than the day before. Yes, there’s the promise of the vaccine - though this will likely be months down the road for most of us. It doesn’t seem to be a time when we can make prophecies with any assurance.
But that hasn’t stopped food writers. Are you bumping into all the 2021 Food Trend predictions? I have no idea how writers come up with these lists. here are a few of my own thoughts (which are sort of obvious) added to what I’ve seen in the media.
Continued interest in Plant-Based Foods. Perhaps you’ve already seen burgers that are 50% plant-based – aiming to nudge people in this direction. The truth is that a lot of us already eat a fair amount of plant-based foods – just keep it up. Mushrooms seem to be popping up a lot as a plant-based food. So many ways to enjoy these! I don’t eat much fried food, but here’s a Hungarian favourite.
Home Cooking Projects. We have already witnessed the obsessions with sour dough and Dalgona – some say homemade peanut butter will be next, as well as pickling (which was making a comeback in recent years anyhow). An increased interest in making homemade pasta is also predicted. Hot Cocoa Bombs have been all the rage in the last few weeks. Many people will forget about buying these and make them at home. What are they? Put the chocolate ball in a cup, pour over hot milk - the chocolate melts releasing min0marshamllows floating to the top- a quick stir and you have hot chocolate. (Not to be mistaken for a bath bomb…)
Make At Home Kits will increase in popularity – not only those from big-brand companies but from local restaurants. I already see some of them combining kits with wine and even a music soundtrack (I thought that was my idea!) – all to create an at-home resto experience.
As comfort levels with meeting programs increase, fasten your seatbelts for an explosion of Online Cooking Classes – some where you simply watch and some where you cook along with the chef.
More Ghost Kitchens. This refers to someone (often an existing resto) setting up a new business with no bricks and mortar – they simply use an existing resto kitchen to offer an entirely new menu.
Mocktails. I am still surprised when I do resto reviews at how many places do not have a list of non-alcoholic cocktails. Yes, they will make one if you ask but it’s not on the menu. I am betting we will see more of these using various base ingredients such as Seedlip. Kombucha is already popular and some say it contains traces of alcohol. Watch for “hard” Kombucha this year. By the way – this is Dry January – a month when people are challenged to drink no alcohol.
Spicy Sauces. I read that these will be popular. I have already seen stores that sell dozens of them and I wish they would STOP. Who needs this? I cannot handle anything more than mouth-warmth and IMHO “heat” masks all other flavours in the food.
Hot Breakfasts are supposedly making a comeback – and I don’t mean Eggos heated in the toaster. Some say we will soon be making pancakes, French toast etc. Have you ever had a Full English Breakfast – with beans and fried tomato etc.? I have been meaning to make this - maybe even for supper – for ages. I will make 2021 the year that I follow through on this. I even have the toast rack!
Home-based Food Enterprises are popping up - everything from pizza, to baking, chocolates – and even charcuterie! I am working on an article on this. It is astounding how many people have been inspired to begin making something at home and then sell it via social media. It’s partly exciting to witness such creativity, but you might be shocked to learn how many of these people seem to have no idea about the health, safety and legal requirements linked to setting up a home food business. Watch for my article in the weeks to come.
Gadgets? I resisted the Instant Pot – mainly because I have absolutely no room for another gadget. I hear that Air Fryers will be the new Instant Pot.
Especially as pandemic restrictions begin to loosen and restos reopen, watch for the continued “Reset” where restos aim to improve workplace conditions for employees. Be prepared – that can mean higher prices.
A wish, not a prophecy. Let’s hope for more kindness all around. Happy 2021!
P.S. Let me know if you have any 2021 food trend predictions.