Prepared foods and grocerants are two of the three retail grocery departments expected to generate the most buzz in the coming year, according to a new report.
The 2018 Trends Report from Louisville, Kentucky-based Les Dames D’Escoffier, a nonprofit organization of women leaders in the food, fine beverage and hospitality industries, also found that Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Latin American foods will be the top international influences in the U.S. in the coming year.
The report also singles out five international food concepts and flavors to keep an eye on:
- Puebla Hot Pot (Latin America, Mexico): ancho chile, smoked paprika and spices in chicken stock, served with chicken or pork, corn, avocado crema and fresh garnishes.
- Manouri (Mediterranean, Greece): a semi-soft, fresh white whey cheese made from goat or sheep milk.
- Millet (India): ancient grains harvested from small-seeded grasses used for porridge and other foods.
- Mishkaki (East Africa, Tanzania): marinated meat skewers including a blend of lemon, tomatoes and green papaya, curry, garlic, red pepper and ginger.
- Jianbing (North Asia, China): street-food breakfast crepe brushed with umami-rich hoisin and chili sauce; layered with egg, pickled veggies and herbs, and sometimes customized with sausage or bacon.
Chef-driven fast-casual, farm-to-table and family-friendly will be the top “established and growing” restaurant concepts in the coming year, according to the report.