Author: Jasmine Hanson

December 3, 2024 Author: Mike Kostyo, Vice President – Menu Matters  The trend cycle keeps marching on. Menus continue to evolve as consumers demand new options, their need states change, and chefs and operators focus on innovation. Each new generation brings new consumer cravings, impacting foods, flavors, dishes, cuisines, dayparts, segments, and beyond. From the evolution

November 2024 As 2024 begins to wind down, we are found reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to what is on the horizon for 2025. It is also that time when many food and insights companies present their trend predictions for the upcoming year. We at Lentils.org enjoy doing a deep dive into

Lentils.org partnered with Chef’s Roll, a global culinary community and media company, to capture some of the most innovative and inspiring lentil dishes on independent restaurant menus across the U.S. Looking to explore lentils beyond soup and stew? Chefs were challenged to lean into lentils used in entrée dishes, street food, and globally-inspired dishes that

January 2024  Classic American dishes like burgers, fries, macaroni and cheese, and pizza are beloved because they are approachable, flexible, and delicious. The perennial appeal of these dishes makes them a perfect entry point to introduce new ingredients or trending global twists. When you add lentils to a dish, they act as a flavor sponge

January 2024  Consumers want many things out of a dining experience, and one enduring desire is to enjoy flavor while satisfying hunger. Many 2024 food trend reports (including IFT Magazine, Datassential, Restaurant Business and Time) identified global mash-ups as a way that chefs can play in this proverbial sandbox — creating “newstalgia” by elevating familiar

January 2024  Who doesn’t find comfort in a big bowl of warm soup or stew? Cozy, nourishing, and often nostalgic, soups and stews can be found in virtually any cuisine, and for good reason — they are incredibly versatile and easy on restaurant operations. Their appeal is on the rise, too, as world-stage soups and

January 2024  As consumers’ routines and lifestyles open up post-pandemic, the demand for grab-and-go meal options is on the rise. Consumers want functional nutrition options with ingredients that give them energy and staying power throughout the day. With 12 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per half-cup serving, lentils provide that satiety. Not

January 2024  European cuisines are experiencing a resurgence after a period of stagnation — Greek, French, Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian, and other classic cuisines are back and bolder than ever. Datassential reports that as American consumers visit Italy, France, Spain, and other European countries on post-COVID vacations, we can expect them to return with a hunger