2017 Top Food Trends

The National Restaurant Association results for the top food trends for 2017 are a continuation of 2016 - in a very good way. African flavors, street food, house made items, heirloom fruits and vegetables and new cuts of meat top the list. I'm very pleased to see these results because it means that YOU - the customers - continue to be interested in exploring flavors and food culture as well as loving local, handmade food.

Marcus Samuelsson of Red Rooster Harlem and Food Network fame has a great cookbook which is now right on trend; "THE SOUL OF A NEW CUISINE" A discovery of the foods and flavors of Africa. I will be reviewing this cookbook in January. Spoiler alert - I like it a lot! I've also found a new source for spices and I look forward to sharing this with you as well. And if Chef Dan Barber's book "The Third Plate: Field Notes on the future of food" is not on your nightstand yet, it should be. Sustainable seafood and fish is one of the many topics he highlights and it has made it into the food trend list - finally getting it's place in the conversation.

As you recover from the hectic pace of December and look forward to 2017, I hope you'll include my cooking classes into your new year. My classes will follow these trends to keep you current and give you some new skills in the kitchen. Happy New Year!

The link to the full NRA article is below, but here is the list in short:

1. New cuts of meat

2. Street food-inspired dishes

3. Healthful kid's meals

4. House-made charcuterie

5. Sustainable seafood

6. Ethnic-inspired breakfast

7. House-made condiments

8. Authentic ethnic cuisine

9. Heirloom fruits and vegetable

10. African flavors

http://www.restaurant.org/News-Research/News/Whats-Hot-Top-10-food-trends-in-2017