Boutique coffee roasts, fermented foods, and Asian pancakes are some of the major hospitality trends set to boom next year, according to Silver Chef’s latest annual Hospitality Industry Success Index report (HISI).
The latest HISI report reveals the biggest trends to hit Aussie shores this year, as well as what’s pegged to be the next ‘big thing’ in the months to come.
Whether you’re a café, restaurant, club, pub, or franchise, staying on top of industry trends is crucial to your business success.
Silver Chef’s Head of Channel Strategy, Andy Reeves, shares his top tips to capitalise on the major food trends for 2017:
1. Food trucks
With new liquor licensing laws dictating that food must be served with alcohol, food trucks have become a very handy supplier, complete with nifty setups and minimal staff to create anything from gourmet burgers to wood fired pizzas on the go.
2. Smoked meats
From the heart of America comes one of this year’s hottest trends – smoked meat. Low-cost, easy, and accessible, smoking meat allows cheap cuts of meat to be reinvented with a delicious variety of flavours and sides.
3. Fermentation
Healthy and delicious, the fermentation fad is showcasing everything from kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, pickled veggies, and kefir.
4. Outlandish desserts
A milkshake, topped with doughnuts, topped with whipped cream, topped with a chocolate bar, topped with chocolate sauce, topped with…whatever your imagination desires. As far as desserts trends go, this year is all about going over the top.
5. Multiple coffee roast options
The average Aussie coffee drinker now knows more than ever about where their coffee came from, who made it, what it tastes like, and where the proceeds go. The bigger trend set for 2017 is offering roasts for three grinders; one for milk based coffee, one for black and one for invitational (guest roast). This showcases your business as a serious contender in the industry and your customers will love having a choice.
6. Night/street markets
The country’s increasingly strict lockdown on drinking and late-night venues has caused a happy accident: the flourishing of night markets. A wonderful opportunity for the local community to gather and sell their wares, it’s also a booze-free, safe, and family-friendly environment to attract new visitors, too.
7. Asian pancakes
Peking duck pancakes have been a staple of most Chinese restaurants for years, but recently they have been stepped up to a whole new level. Everywhere from laneway eateries to modern, edgy inner-city restaurants are trying their hand at the savoury pancakes, which are cheap to make and delicious to eat.
8. Burgers
Once upon a time, burgers were the domain of fast food outlets or highway truck stops. Not anymore. From wagyu beef patties to freshly baked buns, the humble burger has had a major makeover in recent years. Think gourmet.
9. Local artisan foods
Thanks to the Internet, home-run local businesses are cropping up everywhere. Using seasonal produce, local labour, and often innovative concepts, you can be sourcing artisan and gourmet foods made with local produce – and support your local community.
For more tips, tricks, and actionable insights, download a copy of the Hospitality Industry Success Index (HISI) report at www.silverchef.com.au/resources
