Food Trends to Look Out for in 2018

From avocado on toast to fusion tacos, discussing food trends is the easiest way to break the ice in a room full of strangers. With the New Year having rolled in, chef Alper Uzundurukan, from Dusty’s Dubai (a DIFC-based restaurant and lounge) reveals the future of food use and conservation in 2018.

Less is more will be the culinary motto of 2018
With waste becoming an increasing concern for the planet, culinary professionals around the world will start to trim down on the waste they produce. Zero Waste programs are sprouting up all over the world, with Dusty’s cooking up eco-friendly plans of its own for later this year. Food waste will be repurposed to serve the underprivileged and a minimalist approach will be adopted in the kitchen.

Dusty's-venue-2_preview

Vegan food will be featured on more menus
What was once considered an extreme approach to cruelty-free dining, the world is increasingly becoming comfortable with vegan food. Succulent slices of Portobello mushroom will replace traditional buttered burger buns, veggie substitutes will share the limelight with meat dishes, and nut milk will become ubiquitous.

 

Dusty's-terrace_preview

 

Food’s role will shift from a source of indulgence to medicine
Before freakshakes and monster burgers were all the rage, food was used as a remedy for everything from a cold to cramps. 2018 will be the year of rediscovering your relationship with food, leaving gluttony at the door and prioritizing health above all else. Staple ingredients that will make their way into every chef’s pantry are mushrooms, turmeric, hyper local produce, and non-GMO products.

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The demand for local produce will trump imported goods
The UAE’s extreme weather makes growing enough food to feed an entire nation a challenge. This has led to decades of imported food dominating local supermarkets. The produce scene is gradually shifting with the introduction of hydroponics and modern farming solutions. Mindsets are also changing, with urban farming rapidly becoming a lifestyle trend. This year will witness a spike in the demand for fruits and veggies sourced from organic local farms.

2018 promises to be an exciting year for the eco-conscious eate