Customer food trends
From ingredient led British and Italian to the huge surge in interest in Levantine cuisine, we explore some of the key cuisine trends that are shaping menus across the UK.
Middle Eastern & Levantine
The trend and interest in Levantine food has been gaining popularity for some time, with people embracing the flavours and traditions of the whole region. Characterised by its fresh ingredients, bold flavours, and wide range of spices and herbs, it’s a healthy balance between animal proteins and vegetables.
This cuisine also appeals to the growing number of people exploring plant-based diets, ancient grains and those looking for healthier and more sustainable food options. Ingredients such as hummus and falafel are familiar to most customers, whereas tabboulehs, shawarmas, and shakshuka will bring a sense of excitement and discovery.
Lamb Tagine
Beetroot Falafel with Herby Mint Salad
Shakshuka
East & West African dishes
East and West African cuisine is growing in popularity and is a food trend to watch! Mouthwatering dishes are packed with spice and flavour, and you can expect lots of garlic, ginger and chilli. The Suya marinade is perfect for infusing chicken, beef and lamb and adds authenticity to menus.
Hand-held treats such as Lamb Sambusas and hearty, warming dishes like our Yassa Fish Curry are accompanied by sides such as Coconut Rice and Chapati to make a filling meal which works as a street-food option for eateries.
Taste of Turkey
Turkish food is bursting with flavour and texture and is a firm favourite with customers across all sectors and includes starters and mains including street-food for eating on the go. With plenty of Vegetarian options, alongside tender and tasty meat options the menu options are endless and cater for all requirements.
Authentic Turkish Skewers, Kebabs, Flatbreads and pastry treats on your menu add an authentic taste and offer something different. Ideal for a daily or weekly special, why not add theatre to your menu with this exciting new Brakes concept.
Retro comfort food
Consumers are still looking for dishes which invoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort when eating out of home. Old school menu classics from yesteryear are getting rediscovered and reinvented.
Dishes like; prawn cocktail and chicken Kiev, to trifle and Blackforest gateau, spark instant recognition and joy with customers. These dishes are being enhanced with contemporary ingredients and global flavours, refining the dishes for a more contemporary diner.
Getting this right means more attention to the ingredients but provides a comfort and recognition that customers will find hard to resist.
Spiced Crayfish & Prawn Cocktail
Peach Melba Fizz Dessert
Apple, Sultana & Cinnamon Strudels
British food
Celebrating the wealth of homegrown ingredients and heritage recipes, British dishes as a menu option will always find a heartfelt welcome with customers. Using a creative and natural interpretations of British cuisine will spark delight and interest with your customers.
Using ingredients with verified provenance, in combination with homegrown or even foraged components will bring a sense of geographical uniqueness to your dishes. Naming varietals, breeds and species adds credibility to your menu, and the resurgence of some historical cooking techniques can add some great value to your descriptors.
Ham Hock Faggots
Classic Pub Platter
Cottage Pie Yorkie Wrap
New Italian food
It’s back, but arguably it’s never been away. Due to its evergreen popularity with consumers, Italian has long been one of the go-to cuisines for menu makers. The finto Italian cuisine of spag bol, heavy lasagnes, and generic cannelloni on checkered red & white table clothes, with straw wrapped Chianti bottles is on its way out.
Consumers are looking to ingredient-led dishes that show off all the craft, authenticity and regional specialities that Italian food can offer. From pasta dishes elevated with wild mushrooms and premium oils to regional specialities like Tuscan Stews and thin crust Neapolitan pizza. Simplicity and authenticity are at the heart of this trend.
Tuscan Style Fish Stew
Forest Mushroom & Truffle Mezzaluna
Carciofo Gnocchi al Forno
American food
The South American trend of slow-cooked meats in homemade, artisanal rubs is still around. Indeed, you’d be hard-put not to find a menu without a comforting brisket or pulled pork option.
So influential has this trend been that customers are looking for more examples from this vast continent’s cuisine. Propelled by the new wave of American fast food operators opening in the UK, such as Popeyes, Wendy’s and Taco Bell, customers are now seeking out a wide range of dishes from hot fried chicken in American biscuits or waffles to tacos.
Fast food nostalgia plays a big part here too, and the ever-present burger is getting all kinds of makeovers. Watch out for smash-burgers and hotdogs, especially if they’re plant-based.
Fried Chicken & Waffle
Smoked Hot Dog with Katsu Mayo, Sauerkraut & Tempura Crumb
Beef Short Rib & Chicken Chop Combo