The culinary and beverage industry is constantly evolving, and to stay ahead, it is important to anticipate the upcoming trends. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, has released its annual Culinary + Cocktail Trend Forecast for 2024. This forecast highlights the predictions from Kimpton’s team of global culinary and beverage experts, offering insights into the exciting trends that will shape the dining experience in the coming year.
Salt is a staple ingredient in cooking, but in 2024, expect to see a shift towards unrefined salts. Table salt will be replaced by unique alternatives such as Black Hawaiian Salt, Kala Namak, Persian Blue Salt, Celtic Salt, and Fleur de Sel. Chefs will prioritize sourcing salts from around the world, exploring their history and use cases. This trend will introduce a new level of depth and uniqueness to dishes, catering to consumers’ desire for something extraordinary.
The popularity of luxury tinned fish has skyrocketed, with consumers embracing the diverse flavors and sustainable practices associated with seafood. In 2024, seacuterie will be a prominent feature on charcuterie boards, showcasing a variety of unique conservas like Spanish sardines in olive oil, habanero smoked oysters, and Maine eel smoked in alderwood packed in California olive oil. This trend will offer an exciting twist to the traditional charcuterie experience.
Cabbage, a cruciferous vegetable, will become a star ingredient in 2024. Culinary professionals and consumers alike will turn to cabbage for its versatility, taste, and texture. Well-known varieties like Napa, Savoy, and Red Cabbage, as well as the more coveted Caraflex or Conehead cabbage, will be showcased in various forms on menus worldwide. From charring and fermentation to roasting and braising, cabbage will offer a multitude of culinary possibilities.
The Art of Dry Aging
Dry aging, a technique that has gained popularity in recent years, will continue to captivate consumers in 2024. Chefs will use proper equipment to control texture, enhance flavor, and add complexity to dishes. Dry aging will no longer be limited to beef but will extend to other proteins like duck, lamb, and fin fish. Moreover, innovative chefs will experiment with dry aging vegetables like beets and carrots to create a charcuterie-like texture and flavor. Dry aging will reimagine traditional dishes and elevate the dining experience.
Inventive Desserts
The culinary world will witness an explosion of creativity in desserts in 2024. Asian and French influences will dominate the sweetest course, offering unique flavor combinations and intricate presentations. Guests can expect to indulge in delights such as carrot mochi, chocolate smoked salt croissants, and alternative sugars like date-based sugar, beet sugar, and coconut sugar. Elements like rose and pistachio dust, dragon fruit crisp, and edible helium bubble clouds will add texture and visual appeal to desserts.
Bars will continue to push the boundaries of mixology in 2024, offering patrons a truly immersive experience. Kimpton bar leaders predict an increase in experimentation with fat washing techniques to create smooth, creamy, and velvety undercurrents in spirits. Rather than relying on traditional sweet syrups, bars will venture into unique washing ingredients like duck confit and spam. Moreover, bars will incorporate ingredients from the kitchen, such as biquinho peppers, salsa macha, soy sauce, and fish sauce, to elevate cocktail and non-alcoholic beverage offerings.
The Rise of Elaborate Garnishes
Gone are the days of simple garnishes. In 2024, the cocktail scene will witness the transformation of garnishes into elaborate final flourishes. From snap peas to the use of 3D printers, garnishes will add a new dimension to cocktails, instantly changing their flavor profile. Bartenders will experiment with salty and savory to citrusy and bright, creating a visual and sensory experience for guests.
While tequila, gin, and bourbon have dominated menus in recent years, 2024 will mark the rise of Latin American spirits and liquors. Aguariente, Singani, and Cocuy will take center stage, offering a new world of flavors within craft cocktails or enjoyed on the rocks. Diners will have the opportunity to explore the rich heritage and unique characteristics of Latin American spirits, enhancing their overall dining experience.
Engaging the Senses
In 2024, restaurants and bars will go beyond taste and texture, aiming to provide a holistic dining experience that engages all the senses. Attention will be paid to presentation and glassware, background music, and ambient smells, creating an immersive culinary journey. Restaurants will prioritize responsible stewardship, focusing on zero waste efforts, regenerative agriculture, and water conservation. To optimize processes and reduce food waste, more chefs will embrace AI tools, sparking creativity and enabling chefs to think about menus in new and innovative ways.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ Culinary + Cocktail Trend Forecast for 2024 sets the stage for an exciting year in the world of dining. From the exploration of unrefined salts to the rise of Latin American spirits, these trends will shape the future of culinary and mixology experiences. Chefs, bartenders, and diners alike can look forward to an immersive and unforgettable journey through the world of flavors and sensory delights.
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