Trends in Cuisine

“Restaurants are one of the primary ways we fill our bodies, occupy our social lives, spend money, learn about the world, and conduct our business”
– Phyllis Richman, Retired Washington Post Food Critic.

The restaurant industry has become an essential component of today’s lifestyle, rather than just a luxury for special occasions.

Time, Convenience, and Entertainment are essential factors in American’s lifestyle with cooking evolving from an essential chore to a recreational activity.

TRENDS IN CUISINES - Cuisines tend to be headed in 1 of 2 directions. Chefs are either fusing one or more cuisines together, or they are focusing on regional and authenticity of cuisines.

A 2003 study by Mark Clements Research – 85% people chose Italian as their favorite ethnic food. In addition, Asian cuisines (Korean, Japanese, Thai), Middle Eastern, Caribbean, and Mediterranean foods are moving mainstream and Italian, Mexican, and Chinese are hardly considered ethnic anymore. They are as common as meatloaf and mashed potatoes and are so ingrained in the American culture they are considered common. The influx of immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America are causing widespread increases in food choices offered in American restaurants.

More Americans are growing up with ethnic flavors and are well traveled. These diverse experiences are contributing to more discerning tastes. Diners are becoming more adventurous and American palates are more knowledgeable than ever before.

Americans have turned food into a hobby. People have become more experienced in terms of restaurant usage, menu items, ingredients, seasonings, and spices. In fact, 66% of consumers agree that their favorite restaurant foods provide flavor and taste sensations that cannot easily be duplicated in their home kitchen

Restaurants are becoming more of a source of meals for people on the go…On a typical day, 21% of U.S. households used some form of takeout or delivery.

31 percent — Percent of consumers who have used the Internet to view a restaurant's menu, up from 12 percent in 2000

45 percent of 25-to-34-year-olds have used the Internet to find out information about a restaurant they have not patronized before.