admin Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) has launched its third annual Future Menus report, highlighting the top four global food service trends for 2024. This year’s report underscores a significant shift in global taste preferences, with Asian and Latin American flavours gaining dominance over traditional European cuisines. Chinese and Japanese cuisines now rank among the top five global favourites across all age groups, with Korean and Mexican flavours rising in popularity.
Street Food Goes Gourmet
A major trend identified in the report is Street Food Couture, where traditional street foods are being elevated to gourmet experiences across various dining segments, including fine dining. Gen Z is driving this movement, with 65% of young diners prioritising value-for-money experiences. Mexican, Indian, Korean, and Filipino street foods are witnessing increased demand, with Filipino cuisine, in particular, gaining traction in the U.S. and Asia. To support chefs in catering to this trend, UFS offers a range of sauces and condiments, such as Hellmann’s Real Ancho Chipotle Sauce and Spicy Mayonnaise, which enhance popular street food items like tacos, dumplings, bao buns, and Korean corn dogs.
Blurring Culinary Boundaries
The Borderless Cuisine trend reflects the growing integration of global flavours, as chefs blend diverse culinary influences into innovative dishes. With 76% of tourists eager to explore local food cultures, fusion cuisine is becoming mainstream. Asian flavours are being incorporated into traditional Western dishes, with key ingredients like Knorr Professional’s Chicken Powder enhancing the umami profile of pasta, stews, and burgers.
Other emerging trends include Culinary Roots, where chefs revive forgotten local recipes and lesser-known cuisines like Hunan, Emirati, Basque, and Oaxacan. Additionally, Diner Designed highlights the demand for customised, immersive dining experiences, with nearly half of consumers preferring experiential dining over material purchases.
Star Chen, CEO of Unilever Food Solutions, emphasised that Future Menus helps chefs stay ahead of evolving diner demands, supporting over 3 million customers worldwide with expert insights, recipes, and professional products. The Future Menus trends book will be followed by region-specific editions throughout the year on ufs.com, tailoring recommendations to local market preferences.
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