Soups and stews, filled veggies, and melty cheeses were named as next year's top trends by National Restaurant Association poll respondents across all cuisine categories.
The barrier between restaurant menus and home cooking is becoming increasingly blurred
owing to social media platforms such as TikTok, where restaurant dishes become viral sensations
and, in the right culinary hands, popular social "food fads" are translating to menus and limited-time specials.
According to the National Restaurant Association's 2024 What's Hot Culinary Forecast and findings from its largest-ever survey of 1,500 culinary experts nationwide
Its largest to date — who recognized social media integration as one of the top ten hottest topics in 2024.
The survey identified numerous general menu trends to watch for in the coming year
as well as specific dishes, ingredients, flavors, and condiments that are poised to become consumer favorites.
World soups and stews are at the top of the trend list, and they tick all the boxes for both customers and restaurant managers.
They are a safe method for customers to try new ingredients, an inexpensive approach to diversify a menu, and a simple way to incorporate healthier options.