CHICAGO (foodchannel.com) — The Food Channel® (www.foodchannel.com) editorial staff has compiled a look back at the last decade in food, giving a perspective on the top flavors, biggest foods, food influences and top food stories.
“Our chefs and editorial staff have seen a lot of changes in the last ten years,” said Kay Logsdon, Managing Editor of The Food Channel. “Food has become a story like never before, and it’s interesting to look back at how its growth has impacted our society. Over the last few years, we’ve been able to visit restaurant after restaurant, attend the biggest food shows, and try new products, giving our editors a first-hand look at what’s been happening with food.”
According to foodchannel.com editors, the biggest trends of the last decade (2000–2009) include—
- Sushi
- Bacon
- Cupcakes
- Sliders
- Gourmet Burgers made with Kobe or Angus Beef
- Superfruits such as Acai, Pomegranate and Blueberry
- Oils, such as olive oils and truffle oils
- Whole grains, such as Kashi, polenta, risotto
- Artisan foods, particularly in breads, cheeses and dark chocolates
- Coffees, teas
DECADE’S TOP FLAVORS
- Pomegranate
- Wasabi
- Cranberry
- Ginger
- Blueberry
- Hibiscus
- Bacon
- Green tea
- Dark Chocolate
- Mint
TOP TEN FOOD INFLUENCERS OF THE DECADE
- Organic foods, along with Locavore and Community Supported Agriculture
- International Cuisines
- Food TV and Internet
- Food Safety
- The Economy and subsequent shift to home cooking
- Fast casual restaurant concepts
- Fair trade and Artisan concepts in bread, chocolates, cheeses
- Mobility/Social Media/Twitter notifications/Underground dining
- Mixology
- Culinary education
TOP FOOD PEOPLE OF THE DECADE
- Food bloggers
- The local farmer
- Celebrity Chefs in general: Rick Bayless, Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Emeril Lagasse, Gordon Ramsey, Giada De Laurentiis, Mario Batali, Alton Brown, Tyler Florence, Jaime Oliver, Ina Garten
- Julia Child/Julie Powell
- The home cook
- Grant Achatz
- Alice Waters
- Thomas Keller
- Martha Stewart
- The local restaurant chef
TOP TEN GENERAL NEWS TOPICS OF THE DECADE IMPACTING FOOD
- Food Safety (tomatoes, green onions, H1N1)
- Food Prices
- Slow Food
- Sustainability
- Consumer generated advertising (Dorito’s Super Bowl ad)
- The demise of traditional publishing (Gourmet Magazine)
- Organic
- Private branding
- Carl’s, Jr.’s edgy advertising
- McDonald’s innovation
DECADE’S TOP RECIPES
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Bread Pudding
- Risotto
- Biscotti
- Ceviche
- Deep Fried Turkey
- Crème Brulee
- Bruschetta
- Tilapia
- Guacamole
TOP RESTAURANT TRENDS OF THE DECADE
- Fast casual concept
- Tapas and shareables
- Gastropub
- Molecular Gastronomy
- Taco Trucks
- Underground dining
- Fusion
- DIY
- Catering
- Upscaling of Bar food
Logsdon emphasized that all of the lists are compiled as opinion, and are not necessarily based in scientific evidence. “We did this to create dinner table conversation as much as anything,” she said. “Food is a natural meeting place, regardless of your political, religious or personal preferences—you can always talk about food.”
