Yearly TrendsFive Key Trends Impacting Menus Today December 3, 2024 Author: Mike Kostyo, Vice President – Menu Matters The trend cycle keeps marching on. Menus continue to evolve as consumers demand new options, their need states change, and chefs and operators focus on innovation. Each new generation brings new consumer cravings, impacting foods, flavors, dishes, cuisines, dayparts, segments, and beyond. From the… Read More
Yearly TrendsSpotlight on the Top Food Trends for 2025 November 2024 As 2024 begins to wind down, we are found reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to what is on the horizon for 2025. It is also that time when many food and insights companies present their trend predictions for the upcoming year. We at Lentils.org enjoy doing a deep dive into… Read More
Applications & PlatformsDraw inspiration from leading, trend-forward chefs across the U.S. with unique ways to innovate with lentils on the menu Lentils.org partnered with Chef’s Roll, a global culinary community and media company, to capture some of the most innovative and inspiring lentil dishes on independent restaurant menus across the U.S. Looking to explore lentils beyond soup and stew? Chefs were challenged to lean into lentils used in entrée dishes, street food, and globally-inspired dishes that… Read More
Global & Regional CuisinesFood Trend Spotlight: America’s Most-Loved Dishes January 2024 Classic American dishes like burgers, fries, macaroni and cheese, and pizza are beloved because they are approachable, flexible, and delicious. The perennial appeal of these dishes makes them a perfect entry point to introduce new ingredients or trending global twists. When you add lentils to a dish, they act as a flavor sponge… Read More
Global & Regional CuisinesFood Trend Spotlight: Global Mash-Ups January 2024 Consumers want many things out of a dining experience, and one enduring desire is to enjoy flavor while satisfying hunger. Many 2024 food trend reports (including IFT Magazine, Datassential, Restaurant Business and Time) identified global mash-ups as a way that chefs can play in this proverbial sandbox — creating “newstalgia” by elevating familiar… Read More
Global & Regional CuisinesFood Trend Spotlight: Global Soups & Stews January 2024 Who doesn’t find comfort in a big bowl of warm soup or stew? Cozy, nourishing, and often nostalgic, soups and stews can be found in virtually any cuisine, and for good reason — they are incredibly versatile and easy on restaurant operations. Their appeal is on the rise, too, as world-stage soups and… Read More
Applications & PlatformsFood Trend Spotlight: Protein-Rich Composed Salads & Side Dishes January 2024 As consumers’ routines and lifestyles open up post-pandemic, the demand for grab-and-go meal options is on the rise. Consumers want functional nutrition options with ingredients that give them energy and staying power throughout the day. With 12 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per half-cup serving, lentils provide that satiety. Not… Read More
Global & Regional CuisinesFood Trend Spotlight: European 2.0 January 2024 European cuisines are experiencing a resurgence after a period of stagnation — Greek, French, Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian, and other classic cuisines are back and bolder than ever. Datassential reports that as American consumers visit Italy, France, Spain, and other European countries on post-COVID vacations, we can expect them to return with a hunger… Read More
Case Studies CommercialCase Study: Pret A Manger launches a protein-rich lentil hot wrap that exceeds sales expectations November 2023 Spiced Lentil and Chickpea Hot Wrap Anticipating consumer demand for cozy fall flavors in plant-forward menu offerings, Pret A Manger this September launched a permanent menu offering anchored by spiced lentils and chickpeas. The hot wrap is already overperforming based on volume, confirming a consumer shift toward satiating, protein-rich whole food plant ingredients… Read More
Yearly TrendsSpotlight on the Hottest Food Trends for 2024 November 2023 As 2023 begins to wind down, we are found reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to what is on the horizon in the New Year. It is also that time of year when many food companies and data houses come out with their trend predictions for the upcoming year. We at… Read More
Operational & Labor SavingTop 5 Reasons Chefs Are Using Lentils to Upgrade Their Menus An upgraded menu once meant elegance, refinement, and top-tier customer service of the old-school variety: linen napkins and discreet table service. But today’s consumer is juggling an ever-changing financial market, expanding global tastes, personal dietary preferences, and a desire for food that satisfies as well as it appeals. Where lentils were once mainly used as… Read More
Global & Regional CuisinesTop 10 Most Desired Dishes & Global Cuisines by College Students Now more than ever, foodservice operators look to the college and university space as the birthplace of new flavor, cuisine, and dish format trends. Gen-Z is known to be the most adventurous generation of eaters, open to exploring global flavors and cuisines more than any other before them, creating a viable testing ground for the… Read More
