The 2024 National Restaurant Show and Key Trends Observed
Consumer demand for personalized meals, sustainable practices and meat alternatives are a prompting restaurants to rethink their menu offerings and business operations.
Ana Bora | June 7, 2024
The National Restaurant Show (NRS) is a premier annual event that brings together food and beverage professionals from around the world to explore the latest trends, innovations, and solutions in the restaurant industry.
Over 2K exhibitors showcased their best products to motivate inspiration and growth. Special pavilions featuring global flavors, natural products and advanced technology delighted attendees with new and returning offerings tailored toward food service. Design Resource Center was at the forefront, taking note of the exciting new items shaping the future of food.
SPICES AND SAUCES REIGN SUPREME
At this year's conference, spices and sauces took center stage. From beloved local brands like Big Fork Brands to small-batch sauces packed with bold flavors from Tabañero, and even national sensations like Mike’s Hot Honey, there was no shortage of savory options to satisfy even the most adventurous palate.
Consumers are constantly craving sweet and spicy products, and the premiumization of condiments further emphasizes the desire for personalized meals and elevated dining experiences.
Big Fork Brands describes their Chicago Style Hot Dog Sauce Collection as the essence of Chicago minus the Malört.
Mike’s Hot Honey popularity spread through word-of-mouth in 2010 as a pizza game changer.
Yellowbird Foods specializes in flavorful homegrown hot sauces made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
PLANT-BASED IS THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD
According to a 2024 Taste Charts report by Kerry, an international leader in taste and nutrition insights, natural and organic aka “true food” is making a comeback in retail. Sustainability and animal welfare also continues to be an emerging trend.
Kerry states that consumers want intense, bold, flavors and a thrilling comfort experience that they can talk about and share with others. One exciting alternative meat that made a splash at the show was Chunk Foods, an extremely versatile, plant-based steak that could seamlessly replace beef in any recipe. Chunk is disrupting the foodservice industry with clean products that mimic the taste and texture of traditional meat.
Chunk Foods is a 2024 FABI Favorite recognized for their proprietary technology that allows for scalability and affordability.
An exhibitor that’s paving the pathway in this category is AQUA Cultured Foods, a 100% fish-free solution that uses a special fermentation process and plant derived flavors to create a delicious and nutrient-rich seafood alternative. Based in Chicago, AQUA is both a scalable and sustainable solution helping to protect our oceans.
Another major player in the plant-based space was Impossible Foods with an impressive booth activation featuring an all-day tasting menu. The menu included breakfast sandwiches, beef tinga tostadas, meatballs with marinara, build your own hot dog, and more! Impossible Foods is on a mission to save the world’s natural resources by utilizing an iron-containing molecule called Heme to create flavorful animal-free products for meat-loving omnivores.
Protein alternatives empower consumers to actively reduce their environmental footprint by purchasing sustainable products that curtail animal agriculture.
Image Source: Aqua Cultured Foods Instagram. Follow them at @aquaculturedfoods.
In 2016, Impossible Foods launched their first product, Impossible™ Burger Made From Plants.
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING FOR A HAPPIER PLANET
The demand for sustainable food packaging is increasing, with new age brands focusing on responsible design and investing in renewable materials.
According to Mintel research, over 70% of consumers are concerned about product packaging ending up in landfills, highlighting a shift in purchasing behavior and shopper values. Consumers prefer packaging that is non-plastic, made from minimal natural resources and/or are reusable.
Leading the charge in sustainable and stylish alternatives to disposable paper and plastic products are companies like Boxed Water and VerTerra. The experimentation and creativity in eco-friendly packaging types will continue to provide a playful unboxing experience. To learn more about the 2024 packaging landscape, check out an article by Medium.
In 2009, Boxed Water's founders had an idea to change the way water was packaged, shipped, and enjoyed.
VerTerra is the originator of Palm Leaf Plate made of 100% renewable resources and is BPI-certified compostable.
A SUCCESSFUL AND POSITIVE EXPERIENCE
Whether you're a restaurateur, a chef, or a food enthusiast, the National Restaurant Show provides a platform for evolving trends that are advancing the culinary landscape. The excitement among attendees and exhibitors was palpable and everyone walked away with practical insights and fresh ideas for improving foodservice quality and customer engagement.
Want more highlights from this year’s National Restaurant Show? Click the links below:
· 2024 Food & Beverage Awards (FABI)
· National Restaurant Show Press Release
Note: The information presented in this blog post is based on observations and trends observed at the National Restaurant Show and is intended to provide an overview of the key highlights from the event.