Members of Les Dames d’Escoffier International gathered in Newport Beach, California for their international conference. This is a diverse group of culinary professionals in the food, fine wine and hospitality industry. It was a week of tasting, exploring and debating the hot topics and latest trends. There are always lively discussions and rarely unanimity on any issue when this group convenes.
Search for Sustainability
A Green Tables keynote presentation shared thoughts on what members of the organization could do to enhance the lives and livelihoods of restaurant employees in the U.S. Sustainability is more than a good cause, it is good business. According to a recent Culinary Visions® Panel study, 68% of consumers surveyed said they seek out restaurants that menu responsibly produced foods.
Hot Topics Among Culinary Thought Leaders
Storytelling allows us to share food experiences and their life changing impact.
International Ingredients are part of the ever- evolving food language of the world.
Cultural Diplomacy fosters cross-cultural understanding by promoting a country’s cuisine. Bringing people to the table can often open a dialog and foster understanding.
Unpretentious Food speaks to the desire for pure food, plain and simple, as well as the educated consumer who reveals their own knowledge of what they like to eat and drink.
Implications for Food Marketers
Culinary Connections: Consumers crave connection, and social media is enabling great transparency in the path of food, from farm
to table.
Culinary Chic: The latest darling of the food and beverage business is just as likely to be
a new variation of a long time favorite, a succulent new super fruit, a new package or
a new image for a pantry staple that’s lost
its luster.
Shared Values: Consumers want to buy food from restaurants that share their values about food, the people involved in creating their meal and the planet.
The New Agri-Culture
Being a farmer has evolved into a revered and respected profession, driven by a consciousness of where food comes from and the growing respect for those involved in bringing it to the table.
Taste Talk Tweet
Twitter chatter included:
- Influences of Latinx cuisine in America
- Sustainability in the seafood industry
- Wine bottles that support music and art in schools
- New California avocado tree varieties that allow for year-round harvests
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