From activated charcoal to unicorn frappuccinos, food trends are always going to be a roller-coaster ride. Based on reception to current trends, here is a list of ten things we predict will rule the Indian food landscape in the coming months:


1. Health first

Organic supermarkets replacing ice cream parlours, self-grown tomatoes from kitchen gardens and dieting fads overshadowing junk food have become the faces of today’s culinary scene. With more and more people making a conscious effort to eat healthier, the ‘flexitarian’ lifestyle of predominantly vegetable-based fare peppered with occasional lean meats is picking up steam.


2. Veganism on the rise

A not-insignificant section of the country has switched sides by shunning cheese fries and chicken nuggets altogether. The demand for dairy and meat substitutes like soy milk and tofu has given chefs the impetus to concoct more innovative animal-free recipes. The need of the hour has changed from throwing in a token vegan option for the herbivores to creating entire menus catering to their preferences.

3. Zero waste

As a natural extension of eco-friendly food habits gaining momentum, the call to minimise food waste has gained more voices. Resourceful chefs are figuring out ways to utilise every ingredient to its fullest—a practice known as ‘Root-to-Leaf cooking’. From carrot tops, beet greens and cauliflower stems, to all those miscellaneous non-vegetarian bits and pieces that get tossed out, nothing is off the-table anymore.


4. Cultural fusion

With globalisation reigning supreme, the interweaving of different cuisines has become quite the rage. Oriental flavours are layered with quintessentially desi spices, while exotic grains like chia and quinoa are making their way into Indian dishes. This radical development ensures that a virtually inexhaustible set of culinary permutations await not only enterprising chefs but also eager consumers.

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5. Back to our roots

In the past, the rush to embrace intercontinental food had shunted many an indigenous recipe to the sidelines. However, today’s public is realising that regional dishes are veritable treasures—be it cuisine native to the Seven Sisters or dishes popular in the Southern parts of India. This epiphany has been accompanied by the desire to give local produce such as bajra, jowar, moringa and amaranath their long-denied spotlight.

6. Comfort with a twist

With the food and beverage industry as competitive as it is, chefs are constantly on the lookout for inspiration. In recent times they’ve found that edge by reinventing the classics we’ve grown up with. From Ma’s spicy lamb curry to colourful chat from roadside Dhabas, restaurants are now retaining the rudiments of home-style and street food while serving them up with gorgeous plating and gourmet twists.

7. Wining and dining

While India may not flaunt social drinking as part of its culture, the winds are changing fast with an appreciation for liquor and spirits setting in. Whether it’s pairing a mature glass of red with fragrant biriyani or enjoying a mug of beer with some sliders, alcohol is here to stay. This gives restaurants the opportunity to create some ingenious meal combinations.

8. Technologically powered

Cooking has always depended on efficient machinery to get the job done but our reliance on technology is increasing evermore. Restaurants have begun introducing tablets to streamline the ordering process and keep waiting patrons happily engaged. Text-based notification software which alerts them when a table frees up, giving them the chance to take a stroll or go on a drive, is also becoming commonplace.

9. Ghost restaurants

These are virtual establishments that offer only take-out or delivery services. By veering away from traditional dining these places are free to focus on running an organised kitchen, experimenting with diverse flavours and constantly updating their menu. The soaring popularity of food-delivery apps coupled with this generation’s on-the-go lifestyle has contributed, in no small part, to the entry of ghost restaurants.

10. Experiential eating

Today’s youth can’t be lured away from the convenience of ordering in by just good food. They seek a consummate dining experience that makes for quality social media fodder. Pop-ups, themed eateries, interactive dishes, striking ambience, snazzy décor, culinary aesthetics and a host of other factors that were once secondary to the menu, have become part and parcel of consumer expectations.

Is there a culinary trend we missed in this list? What are your culinary predictions? Which ones are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments.

There is little that’s more exciting than taking the plunge into the intriguing world of Food & Beverage. As an entrepreneur, you build a vision in your mind of that perfect restaurant. You’ve thought about how it’s going to look, what it’s going to serve, even what your staff is going to wear. You’ve dreamed of glowing reviews, delighted customers, and tills overflowing with cash.

So why then, would you have need for a restaurant consultant? What can they bring to the table that you haven’t already thought of?

 

Experience

The greatest source of knowledge is experience – and we cannot stress this enough. Restaurant consultants who have been-there-done-that for decades, bring with them a treasure chest of learnings, failings, risings, wisdom.
As an entrepreneur yourself, you go into business knowing there will be challenges – known and unknown. A seasoned restaurant consultant will stand by you through them to find the most efficient solutions. They know which nitty- gritties to think about.

Is your restaurant located at the right corner of the right street? Does your brand positioning or pricing match your target-audience? Do you have the correct licenses and the right brand colours? How do you get your chef and your operations head to work towards the same goals? Is your retention rate satisfactory? Is your kitchen designed scientifically? Experience teaches us the answers to these.

 

Networks

Your network can be your net-worth. Restaurant consultants work hard to build solid widespread networks and invest in forming positive relationships. In the business of restaurants, you will find yourself dealing with a new crisis every day. The power of networks can solve so many of them in a flash.

Your major equipment broke down and vendor not responding? Don’t know where to source the best soy sauce, or a chef to fix your kitchen line management? Lost all your staff to a competitor and running around doing everything yourself? Launched a new menu and wondering how to get the food bloggers to taste and review?

Good restaurant consultants can jump in for hands-on support, pull strings, and use their relationships to do things “only for you!”

 

Financial Acumen

When you are in the thick of running your business and putting out every day fires, goal-setting can become a non-priority. Before you know it, you are bleeding money away without knowing where or how to stop. In a business as dynamic as running a restaurant, losing sight of goals, costs and profitability can prove disastrous.

Your restaurant consultant can handle all this for you. Top line goal-setting with revenue targets, P&L statements, where and how to control costs, and improving bottom lines.

 

Passion

If you didn’t have passion for the industry, you wouldn’t be in the industry. Restaurant consultants share that passion complemented by the strongest desire to contribute towards shaping trending, successful restaurants.

Working with someone that shares the same interests, has the same goals, and wants to see you succeed can be empowering. So much of business is about bouncing thoughts off of each other. It’s about seeking and offering counsel, learning from experiences, and making the most conscious effort to do better every day.

Gourmet Sage does exactly that – work with you day in and day out to bring the best version of your restaurant to life. With over 2 decades of niche industry experience and a robust network, this consultancy is your go-to for all things restaurant.

Reach us at +91 98403 60066 or www.gourmetsage.com