Prognosticators of food trends need not look into a crystal ball. They simply do what they do best: Consult with chefs and others who deal with food and the public on a daily basis. They’re right in the middle of things and are the best at knowing what’s hot and what trends may be on the chopping block.
“But we also use our proprietary software system, CultureWaves, and look at evidence of human behavior – how people are eating, what they talk about, where they eat, everything,” says Kay Logsdon, editor in chief for The Food Channel. “We monitor blogs, recipe sites, commentary and evidence across a range of categories. Then we put it all together and interpret what has staying power. We don’t want flash-in-the-pan trends but things that are really catalysts for change.”
The predictions for 2014 appear quite interesting and on target for those who choose to dine out frequently. There’s a touch of generosity with pay-it-forward dining, as well as a pinch of self-obsession with a rise in those of you who can’t seem to stay off your cellphones when dining out.
Take a look and see if your dining styles fit with trends for 2014.
• Paying it forward. More people are paying for others at restaurants, for military service personnel or just to be nice. Stories abound of people who pick up the tab just because they see people praying over their food.