The food world is always buzzing with new products, ideas, and innovations. Each year, we take a look at what’s hot on the world wide web and pull out the food trends that really stand out. We’ve scoured the world for 2022’s top food and drink trends: from the new ‘it’ ingredients to how we’ll be experience dining. Here’s our list of what to watch out for in 2022.
Vegetarianism
The vegetarian food sector has grown steadily in recent years and consumer trends indicate that it is on the verge of a major breakthrough in the next few years. It is becoming more mainstream and eating habits are changing to include dishes that exclude meat and dairy. Consumers are looking for menus that at least have plant-derived meat as an option. These veggie-based imitation meat products taste great, look like real animal meat (and are sometimes even more appetizing!) and provide the same nutrition as animal proteins without the same cholesterol or saturated fat. Many restaurants in the Philippines are adapting their menus to match the omnivor or herbivore’s requirements, as well. One of our favorite “guilt-free” foods is Fresh Lumpia with Soya Sauce of Astoria Gourmet Take-aways.
Food Fusion
The idea behind fusion foods is to take two or more ingredients from diverse cultures and combine them together to create a new taste experience. For example, one popular fusion dish is the Yaki Udon & Gyoza of Astoria. They take the traditional Japanese udon noodles and generously filled gyoza dumplings to delicately match the Filipino palate.
Sustainable packaging
Companies know that people love to order food online. That is why they are considering packaging materials that are more environmentally friendly in order to remain competitive. Materials such as paper and bioplastics made from renewable resources will likely be used more often than plastic. Astoria restaurants in the Philippines, for example, is continuously exerting efforts to be humane and more purposeful in their everyday food business, and part of that is becoming kind to mother nature. Certainly, in 2022, sustainability is no longer to be an option – it’s a necessity.
Mocktails
Since last year, loads of people have been abstaining from alcohol due to the many restrictions during the peak of the pandemic. For some, it has been an intentional decision to live a more holistic life! Whatever the reason, these delicious booze-less concoctions are in this 2022. If you have a knack of mixing drinks yourself, why not discover what you can create? Try our bartending webinar from our culinary institute and see what trend you can potentially start yourself!
Food delivery is here to stay.
Who does not love gourmet food delivered straight to their doorstep? The New Normal has given birth to many convenient alternatives to casual indoor and al fresco dining; Ghost Kitchens, Banquet in a Box, Astoria Gourmet Takeaways and many other virtual restaurant brands.
Cooking Robots
No, we did not watch too many sci-fi movies, but we just had to put this on the list. Ramping up digital ordering capabilities and touchless payment options is something many of us are familiar with already, but cooking robots? Sounds crazy, but not impossible! As restaurants continue to evaluate the efficiency and sustainability of their business models, brands will look to technology to fuel growth and engagement.
We have experienced staff shortage and contactless systems in restaurants and it is believed that robots can fill in that problem. Sounds extreme, eh?
How do you feel about robots? Do you think it is a good turn for the hospitality industry?
Learn from the emerging trends and innovations that are set to shape the future of your industry and get ready for what is in store with our tourism and hospitality school, ASTORIA Culinary and Hospitality Institute (Astoria-ACHI). Want to learn more about our tourism and hospitality management studies? Sign up HERE.
