Menu Trends
What better springboard for seafood innovation than Lent? Seafood consumption up, and there’s a general uptick in excitement around seafood. The pathway to success follows two strategies that walk hand-in-hand today: flavor and sustainability.
Mac and cheese serves up a great platform for innovation. More sides and shareables, cast-iron serving pans, bite-sized balls, unique add-ins, and longer noodles are also becoming the norm among trend-forward menus. Doing something different—and doing it well—is key to transforming mac and cheese from a stalwart side into a buzz-worthy bite.
Today, the snacking category is huge, and the bar bite category continues to deliver a world of flavor-forward, fun choices. Candied bacon, meatballs, tots, veg-centric dishes like Crispy Squash Blossoms are all on the menu.
There are really no limits to flavor play in the breakfast space. We bring you inspiration. Salmon tacos. Avocado chicharrones. Adjarian Khachapuri – a flatbread from Georgia. A Roasted Pear, Spinach and Gorgonzola Omelette. And much much more.
Sauces are the silver bullet, armed with craveability, uniqueness and, of course, flavor. Their role in plate composition isn’t new, but the opportunity today sees chefs leveraging the culinary might of sauces and wielding it in unique and memorable ways—all with the strategy of building a flavor impact that knocks their guests’ socks off.
Instagrammability is becoming part of menu strategy today, particularly when trying to woo younger consumers. It’s not enough to make plate presentation appetizing. Gorgeous colors, interactivity, unexpected flourishes, tableside drama—all make the dining consumer click and share. Here are 12 ways to shine on Instagram, garnering that social-media love.
To identify what is being done to drive appeal and sales of cocktails at trend-forward concepts, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits set out on its second-annual fact-finding tour. The standout discovery this year is the creative and sophisticated use of high-impact ingredients that introduce unique profiles to classic cocktails. Based on our research, here are four key opportunities in the cocktail category.
BEVERAGE
Cocktails | Digital-exclusive content
1.Simple Solutions for To-Go Sips
The Perfect Purée helps takeout cocktails succeed
10 Beverage Upgrades | Beverage | Cocktails | Digital-exclusive content | Non-alcoholic
2.Flavor Upgrades for Cold-Weather Beverages
Creative ways to heat up beverage menus
INGREDIENTS
10 Flavor Upgrades | Ingredients | Seafood
1.10 Flavor Builders: Seafood
Ideal for takeout, handhelds reel in the growing demand for seafood
Daypart Trends | Global | Ingredients
2.Flavor Makeover: Miso
Miso is poised to deliver its unique, savory earthiness to brunch
PROTEIN
Digital-exclusive content | Partner Content | Pork | Protein | Video
1.The Benefits of Versatility
Chef Michael Ponzio shares carryout inspiration and the importance of versatility in the kitchen
PRODUCE
Beverage | Digital-exclusive content | Produce
1.Salad Days
Fruit takes center stage with modern flavorings and composition
Produce | Takeaway
2.Plant Forward on the Move
Translating modern meatless flavor experiences into optimal off-premise options
GLOBAL
Daypart Trends | Global | Ingredients
1.Flavor Makeover: Miso
Miso is poised to deliver its unique, savory earthiness to brunch
10 Flavor Upgrades | Global | Ingredients
2.10 Flavor Upgrades: Far Out Flavors
Exploring ahead-of-the-curve flavor opportunities to sustain perpetual menu relevancy
DESSERT
Dessert
1.Flavor in Focus: Desserts
Dessert innovations leveraging the flavors and formats consumers yearn for today
Beverage | Dessert | Meatless
2.Flavor Workbench: Tahini's Time
The Eastern Med ingredient with a long reach
RECIPES
GALLERY

English Muffins
Love & Salt, Manhattan Beach, Calif.
Photo: Andrea Bricco
English muffins are the artisan darling of the bread world. Love & Salt’s housemade muffins come with a cube of rosemary-sea salt cultured butter.