Hey there, home cooks-slash-aspiring business owners! If you’re passionate about cooking and always looking for exciting new ideas to elevate your culinary game, you’ll definitely want to find out the top food trends in 2024. Why, exactly?
Well, knowing these 2024 food trends will help you stay ahead of the curve, impress your family and friends, and most importantly, have fun while exploring new flavors and techniques. Interested to find out what food or foods are growing in popularity this year?
Well, keep on reading! In this article, we’ll dive into some of the top food trends of 2024 that are shaping the culinary landscape. You never know, you might be able to incorporate these trends into your own home cooking and food-selling adventures!
Top Food Trends in 2024 # 1: Mood-Boosting Foods
According to UpMenu.com, mood-boosting foods are gaining popularity as more people recognize the direct link between nutrition and mental well-being. These foods contain nutrients that support brain health and help maintain emotional balance.
In addition to enhancing mood, these foods can improve memory and focus, giving you the energy to get through your day. Wondering what these foods are, exactly?
Here are some excellent mood-boosting ingredients you can start using in your recipes:
- Dark chocolate: Considered as a superfood, dark chocolates stimulate the production of endorphins, the brain’s natural feel-good chemicals, and provide magnesium, a mineral known to combat stress and anxiety. We talk about this and about other chocolates in this article.
- Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are packed with antioxidants and can help reduce stress. The anthocyanins and polyphenols found in berries have been linked to mood improvement.
- Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds are examples of nuts and seeds that are rich in plant-based protein, healthy fats, fiber, and nutrients that support brain health.
- Fish: Salmon and other fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your brain and mood.
- Whole grains: Oats, brown rice, and whole wheat bread can help regulate mood and are rich in B vitamins, which are known, again, for boosting both energy and mood.
Speaking of mood-boosting, one cuisine you should check out is Mediterranean cuisine. That’s because It features fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients like olive oil, fish, nuts, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, all known for their positive effects on mental well-being.
Top Food Trends in 2024 # 2: Personalized Nutrition
Personalized nutrition is another trend on the rise this 2024. According to KHNI, scientific evidence shows that our physiological and health needs vary based on factors like age, gender, and life stages. Consumers and scientists recognize that personalized approaches are more effective than general ones.
That is why there is an anticipated growing demand for food businesses specializing in personalized nutrition. Even as a home chef, you can still get in on the trend by creating delicious and healthy meals tailored to your family’s needs with these ideas:
- Build-your-own salad: Let everyone choose their own vegetables, proteins, and dressings.
- Customizable smoothies: Offer a variety of fruits, veggies, and add-ins like protein powder or yogurt.
- Individualized baked goods: Provide gluten-free, dairy-free, or low-sugar options, or even sugar-free options, such as those that Ms. Chiqui Dingcong provides in her classes.
Top Food Trends in 2024 # 3: Global Fusion
Global fusion cuisine combines elements from various international cuisines to create innovative and unique dishes, merging flavors, ingredients, and techniques from different cultures. This trend is popular because it allows for culinary exploration and reflects a growing appreciation for cultural diversity. It makes cooking more adventurous and helps people experience global flavors at home.
If you enjoy creating new dishes, global fusion is for you. It can be a fun adventure for your taste buds and helps you learn about different food practices around the world. Here are some examples of global fusion meals that you can try:
- Sushi burrito: Combine the flavors of Japanese sushi with the convenience of a Mexican burrito by wrapping sushi ingredients in a seaweed sheet and rice.
- Indian spiced burgers: Mix Indian spices like curry powder and garam masala into ground beef or chickpeas for a unique twist on traditional burgers
- Kimchi tacos: Fill tortillas with Korean kimchi, marinated beef or pork, and a hot sauce for a delicious fusion of Korean and Mexican flavors.
Oh and before we forget, Chef Him Uy De Baron, one of the instructors here at The Bailiwick Academy, has plenty of experience with global fusion. Check out his classes here to get a taste!
Top Food Trends in 2024 # 4: Zero-Waste Gastronomy
Zero-waste gastronomy is becoming a major trend in 2024 in the food and beverage industry, reflecting a growing commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility in the culinary world. This approach is all about using every part of your ingredients to make sure nothing goes to waste.
Chefs and home cooks alike are embracing zero-waste techniques, from making stocks with vegetable scraps to creating flavorful dishes from overlooked parts of produce and proteins. This reduces waste and encourages innovation in the kitchen, leading to unique and resourceful recipes.
Want to get in on the trend? Here are some you can try:
- Vegetable scrap broth: Save your vegetable peels, stems, and ends to make a flavorful broth for soups and stews.
- Fruit peel jams: Turn your fruit peels and scraps into delicious homemade spreads, jams, and marmalades.
- Herb stems pesto: Use stems from herbs like parsley, cilantro, and basil to make a unique and flavorful pesto.
By adopting zero-waste gastronomy, you’re helping the planet and discovering new flavors and techniques to elevate your cooking. It’s a win-win for both your kitchen and the environment.
Top Food Trends in 2024 # 5: Culinary Storytelling
Culinary storytelling is another of the top food trends for 2024. No, this doesn’t necessarily involve food writers. Rather, it’s about chefs and restaurants using food and beverages to tell stories and connect with diners. This trend focuses on narratives, such as the origins of a recipe, ingredient sourcing, or the chef’s inspiration.
Diners are increasingly interested in the cultural context and personal touches that make each dish unique, which is why culinary storytelling is trending in the first place. This approach not only enhances their dining experience but also builds a stronger connection with the restaurant.
You don’t have to be a restaurant to embrace this trend, though. Even at home, you can share the stories behind your meals to create a more engaging and meaningful dining experience for your family.
Here are some approaches you can try:
- Family recipe night: Cook a meal using recipes that have been passed down through your family. Share the stories and memories that go along with each dish.
- Personal milestones: Prepare a dish that celebrates a significant moment in your life, like a birthday, anniversary, or other milestone. Share the emotions and memories associated with it.
- Travel-inspired dishes: Make a dish inspired by a place you’ve visited or dream of visiting. Share the story of why that place is special to you.
What is the next big food trend?
Here’s the thing about trends: food trends in 2024, for sure, will not be the same as food trends in 2025. It takes a lot of consumer insight to determine what they will be.
If you’re not looking to get into the food business, that’s okay! You can still try out these trends at home and enjoy experimenting and serving new things to your family.
But what if you do want to start a food business? Simply hopping on the biggest trends might work initially (like ube pandesal or burnt Basque cheesecake), but to ensure long-term success, you need something more sustainable.
Well, you don’t have to look too far; the answer is right here!
Join The Bailiwick Academy’s Food Business Bootcamp!
The TBA Food Business Bootcamp is a 14-week program that will give you the right foundation to build and sustain a successful food business.
Here are the modules you’ll get when you enroll:
- Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Soul Branding
- Branding 101
- Business Basics
- Menu Planning
- Human Resources
- Marketing and Sales
- Accounting
- Food Costing
- Legal Fundamentals
- Employment Law
- Business Planning
Plus, you get three bonus classes:
- Excel Basics for Food Business Owners
- Meat Processing Classes
- Mobile Food Photography
At the end of this, you’ll learn how to have a business that’s low-risk, low-maintenance, and high return of investment…
Even without necessarily paying attention to food trends in recent months.
So what are you waiting for?
Go to this page to learn more about the Food Business Bootcamp!
Oh, and of course, for you to officially join, sign up at The Bailiwick Academy. That way, you’ll get access to plenty of classes, too!
See you inside the boot camp or inside one of the TBA classes!
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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen tips, tricks, and much more!