Unilever Forecasts 'The Future of Menus'
A new forecast from Unilever Food Solutions predicts that future menus will be dominated by plant-forward dishes, locally sourced ingredients, and customizable options. The report also highlights rising guest expectations for interactive or digital menus, especially at upscale and experiential events.
Unilever's previous "Future Menus 2024" report identified eight key trends, including "Flavour Shock" (unexpected flavor combinations), "Low-Waste Menus," and "Modernized Comfort Food." The report was developed from insights gathered from over 1,600 chefs in 21 countries, alongside the company's 250 in-house chefs. The emphasis on local sourcing resonates with Chicago's farm-to-table movement, championed by restaurants like The Publican in the West Loop and Lula Cafe in Logan Square. Catering companies such as Paramount Events and Limelight Catering actively promote their relationships with local farms and markets like Green City Market, which reduces the carbon footprint of events by shortening the distance food travels. On social media, the visual trends in food photography align with these menu shifts. Current aesthetics favor bold, vibrant colors, high-contrast settings, and clean, minimalistic compositions that make the food the central focus. There is also a move toward more authentic styling, embracing imperfections like crumbs and spills to create a more realistic and relatable image. Experiential dining is a significant trend in Chicago's event scene, with caterers offering interactive food stations and immersive "foodscapes" where the culinary design merges with the event's decor. Chicago caterer Fox & Company specializes in "grazing tables," designed to be artistic, abundant displays that encourage social interaction among guests. This aligns with the report's finding that Gen Z's dining choices are heavily influenced by social media content.
