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
November 2023 Anticipating consumer demand for cozy fall flavors in plant-forward menu offerings, Pret A Manger this September launched a permanent menu offering anchored by spiced lentils and chickpeas. The hot wrap is already overperforming based on volume, confirming a consumer shift toward satiating, protein-rich whole food plant ingredients as an alternative to plant-based meat
November 2023 As 2023 begins to wind down, we are found reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to what is on the horizon in the New Year. It is also that time of year when many food companies and data houses come out with their trend predictions for the upcoming year. We at
An upgraded menu once meant elegance, refinement, and top-tier customer service of the old-school variety: linen napkins and discreet table service. But today’s consumer is juggling an ever-changing financial market, expanding global tastes, personal dietary preferences, and a desire for food that satisfies as well as it appeals. Where lentils were once mainly used as
Now more than ever, foodservice operators look to the college and university space as the birthplace of new flavor, cuisine, and dish format trends. Gen-Z is known to be the most adventurous generation of eaters, open to exploring global flavors and cuisines more than any other before them, creating a viable testing ground for the