The Food People reveals expected trends for next year

Global food trendspotting and ideas agency the Food People has revealed some of the expected trends for 2016-17 ahead of its annual event in November.

Intelligent health, morphing, community spirit, and getting closer to the action have been highlighted as four of the main food and beverage emerging trends for the coming years.

Charles Bank, co-founder of the Food People, will be a guest speaker at The Caterer's Foodservice Forum next week where he will discuss the changing needs of consumers, reoccurring themes and expected trends for 2016-17.

He said: "Our global trend-spotting network scours the globe in search of evidence to define the food and drink mega trends for the coming year. We speak to global food and drink influencers and opinion formers, we review thousands of menus, blogs, social posts, new openings and product launches to assess where the ground swell is likely to be for the coming years. It's this evidence that drives the content for our annual food trends predictions."

He added: "As far as cuisines and ingredients go, we expect the big influencers such as the modernised cuisines of UK, Asian and European together with American to continue to hold their own. Caribbean and Mexican takes a step up in influence, while the new kids on the block include Hawaiian and Filipino.

"Look out for ingredients such as asafoetida, lucama, baobab, kaniwa, matcha and charcoal."

Emerging trends include:

Morphing â€" breakfast and other meals morphing and merging to fit the more informal and changing meal occasions, needs and food shopping habits.

Community spirit â€" cherishing food is the new social currency, an expression of status, culture and values. This sees an upsurge in regional foods, collaboration, and ethical production in co-operatives, sharing food for less waste and a rise of pop culture chefs.

Closer to the action â€" demonstrating authenticity through a transparency in the food delivery, prepared and cooked in front of people with live chefs. Urban farmers market feel in mainstream retailers, premium food kit deliveries, custom and interactive menus and the rise in ‘chef’s tables’ and glass walls in restaurants.Â

This year’s food and drink trends event will be hosted at Bruno Loubet’s Grain Store, King’s Cross, London on 18 November. The full list of main trends and macro trends will be revealed at the event. For more information visit: thefoodpeople.co.uk/2015trendsevent

The Foodservice Forum will be held on 25 September at Kings Place, London. Tickets are fast running out. Book now at: www.foodservice-forum.com/register/

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