Food Trends to Watch for in 2017 post from Kara Anderson at C3.

Staying on top of the latest food trends is crazy important to restaurants and caterers alike. Everyone wants to try the latest food craze and if you’re like me attempt to duplicate it. I love a great traditional meal, but creating something delicious our of untraditional items is just plain fun.

According to Food Business Journal and Fox News Magazine, there are food trends to look out for 2017. I can’t wait to see what C3 restaurants and caterers come up with in the New Year. The following is my review of these trends from my personal experience in the restaurant industry and my kitchen.

1. Dessert for Breakfast- Yes please! Studies linking dark chocolate to numerous health benefits such as memory and focus, therefore eating it for breakfast just makes sense. So don’t be afraid of that chocolate croissant from Au Bon Pain or the Chocolate Euphoria Cake from Dessert Gallery to start your day off right!

2. More Turmeric- Turmeric is a spice commonly found in Indian food that has recently started gaining huge popularity. Not only is turmeric been show to fight disease and inflammation, but mix it with coconut oil and you have a natural teeth whitener. I personally love cooking with turmeric for its nutrition and ability to balance flavors quite well, but I have also used it as a natural teeth whitener and it absolutely works instantly! Check out India’s Restaurant for dishes like Chicken Vindaloo and Chicken Curry which are chalk full of turmeric.

3. Plants instead of meat- There are a lot of concepts attempting to infuse plants with things like beet juice to create dishes that are like the meat they are replacing. This trend comes from the desire of many meat eaters wanting to eat less meat and of course vegetarian and vegans alike.

4. Purple everything- I especially like this trend because purple is my favorite color. I regularly roast purple potatoes at home and find that the flavor and consistency is my favorite of all potatoes. City View Catering also used purple potatoes for some of the events they do. Other popular purple foods include cauliflower, sweet potatoes, corn and asparagus.

5. Sardines- I know what you’re thinking, ‘Sardines? Really?’ Yes sardines! They have had a bad rap for a long time, however they are making a comeback by way of diverse preparations. I for one love sardines on the right dishes. Sardines are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which we all know are great for us! Next time you see sardines on the menu give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised!

6. Handmade noodles- There are a few Chinese restaurants in the country who are displaying their noodles! Hand pulling noodles is a technique that is fascinating to watch. Not only does this technique display real showmanship but you know that the noodles you get will be incredible fresh. There are not yet any of these restaurants in Houston, but we are sure to keep a look out for this upcoming trend. After all, if there are restaurants in New York and Los Angeles practicing this technique, Houston is sure to follow!

7. Mocktail mixology- Mocktails are a great way to enjoy a refreshing seasonal beverage with a twist. Mocktails are made with fresh juices, produce and tonics to give you that cocktail feel without the alcohol. I regularly order mocktails when I am at a craft cocktail bar with friends. I can a truly great beverage made with the same kind of care as any cocktail I might order. Any of our amazing caterers can batch up an amazing mocktail for your next event for that extra pazazz.

8. Goat is the next beef- We already regularly eat goat cheese, but what about the meat itself. Other areas such as South Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean regularly use goat meat in the preparation of traditional meals. It is leaner than chicken but with more of a beefy texture. I have had goat in Mexico City and absolutely loved it. I am interested to see how creative we can get with this diverse meat here in Houston.

9. Coconuts- Coconut has already begun to be a part of our daily lives. I love drinking coconut water for it’s amazing source of potassium and cooking with coconut oil as a leaner form of cooking oil. I even use coconut oil on my skin as a natural lotion. Don’t be surprised if things such as coconut flour tortillas and coconut chips appear on your grocer’s aisles in the next year.

10. Pastas from veggies and grains- Amazingly, one of my favorite recent discoveries is spaghetti squash. I have seen it in the grocery store for as long as I can remember and never gave it a shot. It is an amazing and incredibly simple substitution for pasta in any string pasta dish. You don’t even have to shape it, hence the name ‘spaghetti squash’. Expect to start seeing pastas made form grains and veggies ready to cook. Quinoa, lentils and chickpeas maybe just a few of the varieties you may find.

Do you want to try one of these upcoming trends for office or next event? We love working with our restaurants to develop new idea for our clients. Contact us today and we’ll have some fun!