Here at Prestige London we have put together a list of what we believe to be en vogue for 2012. Technology and social media are the biggest growth areas but going back to our food basics will also be important for 2012. It really will be a year where the future and past collide.
1. ‘Lovely apples, get yer apples ‘ere, two pand a pand’
The ability to buy locally grown produce, getting to know your farmers and experiencing that ‘old fashioned’ way of shopping continues to flourish. That linked with Mary Portas’ report to government recommending relaxing the restrictions on trading to rescue the high street will see an even bigger growth in farmers markets and market stall shopping.
2. Trading down
Okay, so you will probably still be asked if you want to go large when visiting MacDonald’s but everywhere else, mini is the new black. With a population that has an ever growing waistband, caterers are looking at ways of supporting healthier eating without customers having to give up the treats and bite-sized is the way forward. Just enough to suppress that sugar low but not enough to expand that waistband.
3. ‘Have you got an app for that?’
Technology is becoming an integral part of everyday life, with tweeting and blogging being at the forefront. With the use of Twitter and phone App’s caterers in 2012 will have the ability to build up fan bases, set up online ordering and use real time marketing through mobile phones and tablets. No longer is a poster and loyalty card enough.
4. Pop-up Restaurants
Last summer saw the emergence of pop-up restaurants and this summer the trend will grow. Restaurant Chefs are more relaxed about what they cook and who eats it and supper-clubbers look to get out of their hosts stuffy sitting rooms. Summer is when pop-up restaurants – which often occupy unconventional spots and appear and disappear faster than the English asparagus crop – come into their own. Last year you could find Tom Aiken on the Terrace at Somerset House, where will he be this year?
5. Grab and go
This has always been a staple of both the high street and the contract caterer for a few years but with the economy looking bleak for 2012 and lives becoming busier that ability to grab and go is now a necessity. However, a soggy cheese sandwich and packet of crisps just won’t do. Gourmet sandwiches, juiced fruit and vegetables to order and that all important perfect cappuccino, to name but a few, are a must.
6. DIY Health
2012 will see more and more people tracking and managing their own health with phone apps. By June of this year Apple expect to have over 13,000 apps available relating to all aspect s of health with around 2,000 of these relating to diet.
7. Seafood with integrity
The issue of overfishing in our waters has been a concern for a number of years and pressure will be stronger than ever in 2012 to assure that seafood, whether farmed or wild, will have integrity.
8. Just like momma used to make
Along with farmers markets and locally sourced products, in 2012, customers will also looking for that homemade factor. Cakes, breads, chutneys etc will all be made fresh that day in the kitchen, not bought in and this linked with phone apps will see customers trying food in restaurants and then downloading the chefs recipe to their mobile phones.
9. Grazing and sharing
As England becomes used to the feeling of being more European so do our eating habits. Say goodbye to starched white table cloths and hello to counter-dining and sharing tables. Customers want more creative engagement with the dining out experience and small dishes go a long way to achieving that. Inflexibility continues to be banished from restaurants, it’s all about covers, so even though customers may spend slightly less with this style of operation they are more likely to return and return more frequently.
10. Social net-eating
With the launch of foodie.fm, the Facebook for food, users can post shopping lists, recipes, recommendations and photos to others. Food photo-sharing is already big and is set to only get bigger.
