Which culinary trends defined the year? In this blog, our corporate executive chef, Howard Cantor, reflects on the biggest trends that shaped the culinary world in 2024 and will have a resounding impact in the year to come.
As 2024 draws to a close, the food industry has seen some exciting shifts. Culinary trends have reflected changes in demographics and buying influence, sustainability has taken a stronghold, fusion has become more mainstream, and technology is now a part of every aspect of food experiences. From plant-based innovations to exotic global flavors making their way onto grocery store shelves, this year was packed with creativity in the kitchen and in the lab making 2024 a memorable year for food lovers around the world.
Plant-Based Foods & Sustainability
In 2024, plant-based foods continued to thrive, but they took a major leap forward with new product innovations that were not only more sustainable but also tastier and more satisfying. Plant-based alternatives for meat, dairy, and seafood found their way onto more restaurant menus and grocery store shelves than ever before. The shift wasn’t just about replacing animal-based products; it was about improving the flavor, texture, and sustainability of plant-based options.
Sustainability has been a key driver of food trends in recent years, but in 2024, regenerative farming came into the spotlight. More restaurants, food brands, and farmers turned to regenerative farming practices, which go beyond organic farming by focusing on improving soil health and biodiversity. These practices, which include rotating crops, reintroducing livestock to pasture, and using fewer chemicals, are helping to rebuild ecosystems while reducing carbon footprints. Chefs and home cooks alike have embraced local and regenerative produce, often making it the star of their dishes. Many restaurants are now featuring “soil-to-table” concepts where the sourcing of ingredients is as important as the preparation and presentation.
One of the most significant culinary shifts in 2024 has been the rise of zero-waste cooking. In response to growing concerns about food waste and environmental sustainability, more chefs and
home cooks are finding ways to use every part of an ingredient—stems, peels, and even seeds—leading to more creative and resourceful dishes.
Restaurants are incorporating “trash to treasure” recipes, like crispy potato peel chips or carrot top pesto, and there’s a rise in the use of food scraps to make broths, pickles, or sauces. This movement also reinforces the soil-to-table trend, with chefs striving to use all locally sourced ingredients without wasting any portion while also helping to revive the fields and farms supplying them.
Fermentation
Fermented foods have been making a comeback over the last few years but saw a massive surge in popularity in 2024. While kombucha, kimchi, and sauerkraut have become staples around the world, 2024 saw the rise of even more creative fermentations in mainstream kitchens. From fermented fruits and vegetables to unique combinations like ice cream and fermented honey or tamari apple pie with miso caramel, chefs are experimenting with this ancient preservation technique in exciting new ways. This trend is not just about flavor, but also about health, which has been at the forefront of consumers’ minds lately. Fermented foods are known for their digestive benefits due to their high levels of probiotics, and this year, more people are embracing the idea that food can be both delicious and gut healthy.
Fusing Global Cuisines
A huge trend in 2023 was exploring regional and ethnic cuisines; 2024 took it to the next level with the ongoing popularity of fusion. Chefs have blended flavors from different cultures, creating dishes that transcend boundaries and spark excitement.
Expect to find Korean-Mexican tacos with bulgogi, Japanese-Peruvian sushi rolls, and Indian-Spanish curries in places you would never expected. Global flavors are being paired with local, seasonal ingredients, making these dishes not only exciting but also more sustainable. The fusion trend is truly the culinary reflection of a more interconnected world, where food is a vehicle for cultural exchange and creative exploration.
AI in the Kitchen
As artificial intelligence continues to make its mark on every industry, the kitchen has also welcomed these innovations with open arms in 2024. AI-powered apps and smart cooking tools have made meal planning, grocery shopping, and even recipe creation easier than ever before. Machine learning algorithms help create personalized meal plans based on dietary preferences, and robots are now assisting with repetitive tasks like chopping vegetables or stirring sauces. Not only have these tools made cooking more efficient, but they’ve also enabled the home chef to experiment with flavors and techniques they might not have tried otherwise. 3D-printed food is also making waves in the fine dining world, offering unique textures and shapes that would be nearly impossible to achieve by hand.
2024 has been a year of bold experiments, innovation, and sustainability in the culinary world. From sustainable food practices and fermentation to the fusion of global flavors and technology- the future of food looks incredibly exciting. As we look ahead, these trends are set to continue evolving, offering new possibilities for chefs, home cooks, and food lovers alike. The kitchen remains a space for creativity, and the future of food will be shaped by a mix of technology, tradition, and environmental consciousness.
What’s next for food and flavor trends? Explore our latest Taste & Trends Blogs to dive deeper into both macro and category trends.