You’ve ditched your skinny jeans. You no longer want an open floor plan. And your summer was decidedly neon green. In all aspects of life (and culture), trends shape how we behave and what we want to consume.
The world of food is no different. With each new year or season, different foods and preparations cause a sensation. For restaurant chefs, the ability to stay ahead of trends could help keep the lights on. And for home cooks, participating in the food world at large by cooking trendy dishes not only keeps things exciting, but also connects you with other food lovers.
That’s where Unilever Food Solutions’ Future Menus 2024 trends report comes into play. Drawing on the experience of 250 Unilever Food Solutions in-house chefs, the report leverages insights from more than 1,600 foodservice professionals across 21 markets to predict what will be important in the year ahead. We took a look at the 2024 edition and were delighted by a few trends in particular that lend themselves well to home cooking: modernized comfort food, low-waste menus, and irresistible vegetables. Let’s dig deeper.
First: modernized comfort food, aka the idea that comfort food can evolve from dishes that are familiar and safe, like macaroni and cheese, to new, fresh foods that represent a chef’s heritage and still evoke warmth. That may even include rediscovering old traditions; for example, finding new ways to use ancient grains like spelled or enjoying mead instead of cider. Whatever the ingredients, the spirit is comfort, reinvented.
Next on the list are low waste menus. As costs rise, chefs are getting inventive and finding creative ways to use meat and produce to its full potential. While the concept is certainly sustainable, that is not always the main goal; rather, it’s about maximizing the potential of each ingredient. As Brandon Collins, executive chef at UFS North America, says, “Everything that doesn’t get thrown away will translate into dollars on the plate.” And while you may not have a Michelin-starred kitchen at home, this is still a trend worth trying; After all, finding fun ways to use up every last bit of your weekly veggie haul will also help your results.
Which brings us to our latest trend: irresistible greens, or putting fresh, colorful veggies front and center. Diners expect hearty, hearty dishes that are also vibrant and picturesque (read: look great on a grid), and vegetable-centric menu items are an easy way to achieve this. We love that some of the long-shelf-life, low-priced vegetables (think squash and cabbage) are finally having their moment as main dishes.
To help you capture the feeling of dining at a trendy restaurant at home, we’ve rounded up our favorite recipes in each category. Place your order.
