There was once a saying that whatever trends occurred in major cities such as Los Angeles and New York, it would take a good 10 years to reach the South. That went across the board, from home decor to fashion and food trends. Then something happened.
“Southern food trends actually went national in 2008,” says Suzy Badaracco, president of Culinary Tides, an organization that, among other things, tracks food trends.
Anne BralyThink grits, now common across the nation. And kale, a longtime Southern favorite that is now standard fare in restaurants from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.
“Southern food was named the ‘it’ cuisine by Bon Appetit in 2008 and again in 2013,” Badaracco says. “High-end restaurants were the last in on the trend when fried chicken made its move around 2013, as well.”
However, all is not roses when it comes to Southern fare.
“The Achilles heel is that it traditionally is high in fat, but the trends it ties into that make it strong include its ties to regional cuisine – whole grains, dark leafy greens, pork, barbecue, moonshine, Southern cocktails and family style/communal eating.”
Yep, all that started here in our front yard. And the love of Southern food keeps growing and spreading.
“It is the strongest regional cuisine in the States,” Badaracco notes.
Looking toward food trends for 2016, Badaracco finds a number of Southern favorites on the list. Here are her top-10 predictions on what will be hot in restaurants across America this year.
1. Butter taps into natural trend as more Americans are realizing that natural fats aren’t so bad. According to the National Dairy Association, butter sales are at a 40-year high and its popularity is expected to continue to spread in restaurants and at home.
2. Collard greens and Brussels sprouts will replace kale.
3. People are loving pulp, so unfiltered juices will be the rage.
4. Low Country and Appalachian cuisines will continue to travel beyond the Deep South.
5. With the opening up of Cuba, Cuban cuisine will gain ground.
6. Peruvian food will still be popular, but Argentinian and Chilean cuisines will be hot on its heels.
7. Folks will discover the importance of peas and other vegetable proteins, reducing meat proteins in their diets.
8. Grains – including teff, freekah and others with global cuisine ties – are becoming commonplace.
9. We’ll be having more fun with our food, bringing more do-it-yourself dishes. Think fajitas and deconstructed ice cream sundaes that you build at table.
10. Mash-up foods, such as meatloaf lasagna and cronuts, will take backstage as fusion experimentation reinvigorates global cuisine.
It will be interesting to see how these trends affect menus in the Chattanooga area. Already, you’ll find Brussels sprouts in several dishes at the Feed Co. Table and Tavern. TerraMae Appalachian Bistro serves a full menu of Appalachian favorites prepared in ways that may surprise you, such as Fried Frog Legs with Apple-Fennel Slaw and Cornbread or Red Snapper with Black-eyed Pea Vinaigrette, Braised Collard Greens and Sweet Potato Puree. And I’ve heard Embargo 62 has one of the best Cuban sandwiches in town.
NEW RESTAURANT NEWS
Screen Door Cafe opened just a couple of months ago in the neighborhood best known as Possum Creek in northern Hamilton County on the outskirts of Soddy-Daisy. But if you want to know if it’s worth the drive? Absolutely.
There’s something to be said for restaurants in out-of-the-way places that don’t boast glamorous facades. Screen Door is just like that. In fact, if you didn’t know better, you might drive right by and not give it more than a glance. But you’d be sorry if you did.
It serves the best shrimp and grits to be had in Soddy-Daisy. And the Reubens? Oh my. I’ve never had better. The corned beef is fork-tender and, for a twist, it’s smoked in-house. What a wonder.
There are many expected things on the menu, but all the dishes serve unexpected flavors. The fried green tomatoes are topped with housemade pimento cheese. The soul rolls are stuffed with pork and collard greens. Everything is made from scratch, from salad dressings to desserts.
Make the drive. You won’t be disappointed. It’s the best restaurant in Soddy-Daisy so far. Screen Door Cafe is located at 1108 Lee Pike and is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The phone is 423-777-4868.
Contact Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com.