Trend reports can definitely help chefs find some good inspiration, but it’s crucial to avoid trendy traps. There are definitely a lot of food trends out there, but how exactly do you distinguish what is going to sell versus which trends are all talk? We recommend the following winning tips to keep up with the biggest food industry trends:
● Pay attention to the past. When you’re considering new food trends, it’s crucial to take a look at past trends and see what was successful in the past and what wasn’t. A lot of the time, things that are old become new again, so it’s important to take a look at old trends for insight and inspiration. You could bring back a classic dish that other restaurants in your area no longer have and that customers are craving.
● Pay attention to themes. It’s crucial to pay attention to themes when you are reading and reviewing food trend reports. Take both a macro and micro approach. It’s important to pay close attention to the recurring themes across different food trend reports and identify the bigger, more common food items that align with your own business goals. However, on the flip side, you also want to identify any niche, unique and obscure items that really pique your interest and enhance your restaurant’s menu.
● Think about your concept. After identifying the themes that interest you, you need to think about your concept. Take your brand into consideration when you are considering implementing a new food trend at your restaurant. Keep in mind that just because a food ingredient or dish is trending doesn’t mean that it’s right for your brand or concept. Food trends need to align with your restaurant’s brand in order to sell at your restaurant. If they are not right for your target audience, they’re just not going to work, unfortunately.
● Differentiate between large trends and trendy items. There’s a lot of subjectivity when it comes to food trend reports, so don’t take them at face value. Instead of using these reports as a guideline for your business model, you should use the food trend reports as a tool to help spark some innovation and insights for your restaurant or business. And keep in mind that there’s a huge difference between a food trend and a food item that’s trendy. A lot of people out there make the mistake of viewing a hot trendy item as a food trend. But in actuality, a real food trend is defined by a series of data points over a period of time, usually at least a few years. So don’t place too much stock in food trend reports that just list the quick and trendy food items that will likely pass after a few months.
● Create your own trends. Keep in mind that you’re allowed to create your own food trends, regardless of what the food trend reports are saying. So don’t be afraid to create your own food trend and allow others to follow the food trend path you’ve paved.