Food Trends

. . . according to the Canadian

Restaurant and Foodservices

Association

Food TrendsCanada's top food 10 trends of 2013

Ancient Grains

10. Ancient Grains:

Spelt, quinoa, kamut, millet and amaranth

Higher nutritional value than other grains

Ancient Grains

Examples:

Roasted Chicken and Barley Risotto

Kale and Quinoa Salad

Blueberry Muffins made with millet

Noodles!

9. Non-Wheat Noodles Or Pasta:

Asian-style noodles and soups have surged in popularity, elevating them from street food to restaurant fare. Rice pasta is also popping up on Italian menus, catering to dietary restrictions.

Back to Basic

8. Simplicity/Back To Basics:

North American culinary staples like chocolate chip cookies and milk, macaroni and cheese, and even meatloaf are now coveted by some of the country's top chefs.

Greek Yogurt

7. Greek Yogurt:

Strained to remove the whey, Greek yogurt has long been used to make tzatziki, very similar to Lebanese labneh. You can make it non-fat, low fat, full fat, flavoured or plain, but it's usually always thick and creamy.

Greek Yogurt

Examples:

Greek Yogurt Smoothies

Greek Yogurt Dressing

Greek Yogurt Frozen Ice Cream

Street Food

6. Ethnic/Street Food Inspired Appetizers:

Quick and dirty street food is still hot but the variety has been getting better and better. — and no, we're not just talking about the 7-Eleven variety.

Street Food

Examples

Tempura

Taquitos

Chicken Satay

Food Trucks

5. Food Trucks/Street Food:

Food trucks offer a quicker version of restraint quality food. They also require fewer start up costs.

The most popular items for food trucks are sandwiches/subs.

Food Trucks

Examples

Cupcake Food Trucks

Breakfast Food Trucks

Ethnic Food Trucks

Farm Branding

4. Farm-/Estate-Branded Ingredients:

Restaurants are increasingly using farm- and estate-branded ingredients and naming them on their menus.

Farm Branding

Example:

“Meadow Sweet Farms Greens"

"Cumbrae's free-range chicken breast"

“Niagara Grown Fruits”

Sustainability

3. Sustainability:

Raising and growing food that is healthy for consumers, animals, and does not harm the environment has been on the mainstream radar for a while now.

Gluten-Free2. Gluten-Free/Allergy-Conscious Food:

Gluten-free diets are surging in popularity as a treatment for potentially serious gluten allergies and celiac disease, but they've also become a trendy way to lose weight.

Gluten-Free

Examples:

Rice Dishes

Gluten-Free Pasta

Gluten-Free Salad Dressings

Go Local!

1: Locally Produced And Locally Inspired Dishes: The locavore movement and locally produced food was the CRFA's top trend item for the fourth year in a row.