With food and drink prices rising, food nerds and enthusiastic cooks everywhere are “redefining and finding the joy in simple things” says TASTE editor-in-chief Kate Wilson. “All the food trends analysts suggest that when we do spend, it needs to be worth it, as we become more considered and conscious in our choices.”

Late last year, Kate attended two very different food summits. The first was Gastronomika in San Sebastiàn, Spain, where some of the world’s most celebrated chefs shared their philosophies and showcased their singular dishes. The second was a virtual trends event hosted by The Food People, who have spent the past 19 years following and forecasting food and drinks trends. Which is why you can expect to see some of these big five influences coming to a kitchen near you...

1. JOMO

Potato bread recipe

You’ve heard of FOMO (the supremely millennial “fear of missing out”) but now there’s a newer acronym with precisely the opposite meaning: the joy of missing out. JOMO is the emotionally intelligent antidote to all that getting out there, desperate not to miss a thing. JOMO is about being in the moment, feeling content with your choices, savouring sanctuary, and seeking safety and comfort – but only in the most refined and delightful ways, of course, especially when related to food.

As a food trend, JOMO means easy but more discerning entertaining, think freezer feasts, comfort bowls  and spending happy hours in your own space… while sipping on a bar-quality cocktail, of course. It encompasses the rise of craft coffee at home (a.k.a. “Cafecore”), with everyone signing up for a barista course and getting to know where their beans come from; the return of baking, especially of the most nostalgic sort; and the desire for restaurant-quality meals eaten at home, whether these are purchased in store or delivered. In the UK, Waitrose recently launched Dishpatch, a weekly meal “kit” (that only requires finishing off) by a well-known – often Michelin-starred – chef.

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2. OMNIVORE

Crispy pork rashers with cabbage

Human beings are, evolutionarily speaking, omnivorous – but rather than restating this obvious fact, the omnivore trend is about finding balance in your diet and not feeling defined by being exclusively “a meat fanatic” or “a plant-based eater”.

In short, flexitarianism is back on the menu, and with meat substitutes typically more expensive than meat itself, many of us simply want to make smarter, better choices to reduce our meat intake, rather than eliminating it entirely.

Another key element of the omnivore trend? The rich umami flavours of mushrooms – whether combined with meat, or used in veggie or vegan dishes.

ALSO READ: 6 plant-based dinners you’ll love

3. BIG FUSION

Butter chicken noodles

This trend if heavily influenced by third-culture cuisine or mixed-border cooking, where chefs whose parents were raised in another country to the one of their birth are embracing the cuisine of their heritage (that they grew up with) and using it to reinterpret local dishes and ingredients. Social media has galvanised this, helping these proponents of the third culture to share flavours, techniques and culinary traditions, resulting in a proliferation of clever, new mash-ups.

In the wake of debates around cultural appropriation, these creative combos are respectful of traditions and culture, but at the same time they’re more fearless. Think jerk chicken burritos or lamb keema lasagne  – not to mention all things Mexican-ish: guacamole served with wasabi and nori chips rather than nachos, anyone?

Look out for all things “twisted Italian” too, as the staples of one of the world’s favourite cuisines are used in unexpected ways – as already seen from TASTE’s very own Khanya Mzongwana, who recently brought us the “Will it Caesar?” trend in the form of this delicious recipe for Caesar butter beans on toast.

4. CRAVE WORTHY

Chocolate-and-cherry mousse cake with mirror glaze

As every TASTE reader knows, there’s nothing quite like a bit of food indulgence to boost your mood and distract from the general chaos of world events (which have never been quite so tumultuous), so right now the occasional – and unapologetic – indulgence is all over the culinary world.

Encompassing all things oversized and overfilled, this trend is about momentary escapism as you relish an overloaded hot dog  or super-indulgent sandwich overstuffed with slow-cooked meat or artisanal charcuterie and oozing cheese, after being pressed and toasted.

And don’t forget that viral TikTok  sensation, the delectable pistachio cream-and-crispy kataifi pastry-filled Dubai chocolate bar. This trend is having such a significant moment that Lindt has launched a limited-edition Dubai chocolate bar, which will be on shelf at Woolworths, helpfully, in time for Mother’s and Father’s Day.

5. SLIM AND TRIM

African grain salad

Perhaps not counter-intuitively, the trend towards dietary habits aimed at weight management is the necessary foil for the mega indulgences above. With more and more stories focused on GLP-1s, the “hunger-quietening hormone”, the public is more informed than ever about the importance of developing lifelong healthy eating habits.

With the rise of chemical interventions such as Ozempic (to stimulate GLP-1s) and more and more apps that assist with weight management, people are making more considered choices about how to eat better “on purpose”. There are also new techniques such as somatic, intuitive and mindful eating.

Naturally, at TASTE we have long been aware of the benefits of eating well; you can check out our wide selection of healthier eating options and recipe ideas here.

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