The best chefs master the fundamentals of cooking while adapting their techniques to integrate modern trends. Integrating the top culinary trends and adding them to your culinary repertoire can give you the edge in the job market and help you develop a reputation for innovation should you decide to open your own restaurant. Let’s explore some of the leading culinary trends you’ll master in your chef training course.
Climate Conscious Cooking
Climate-conscious cooking is one of the top rising trends in 2024 as food companies review the impact of their operations on the environment and adapt to new consumer choices. One significant growth area is plant-based foods. The global plant-based food market value expanded from $44.5 billion in 2022 to $50.4 billion in 2023. The data also shows that 40% of consumers plan to purchase plant-based meat products, and 48% of restaurants across North America now offer plant-based alternatives compared to just 30% in 2012.
Adding Spice
The rise in popularity of spicy foods matches the growing viewership of cooking shows and contests using ingredients such as ghost peppers. Spicy food options are particularly popular with the younger restaurant-going crowd, with 47% of Gen Z and 45% of millennials preferring moderate to high spice levels in their dishes.
Culinary Combinations
During the pandemic, restaurants lost partial access to their supply chains as shipping schedules evolved with healthcare restrictions. While supplies are now moving freely from most locations around the globe, recent trends emerged from this challenging period. With limited access to common ingredients, many kitchen leaders began experiments with new flavour combinations, giving rise to menu options such as the “burger quesadilla” and “carbonara ramen”.
Bite-Sized Baking
Two trends are blending to form a new approach to desserts at the top restaurants across North America. The two trends of healthy eating and luxury confections have been evolving quietly yet rapidly in recent years. Now, 2024 will become the year of bite-sized baking, where top chefs create luxury confections in miniature proportions. Beyond the mini cupcakes and the mini donuts, bakers are now making bite-sized cakes, which may encourage patrons to try new flavours without overindulging.
Foods that Improve the Healthspan
Consumers are moving beyond lifespan as a sole element in healthy eating choices and searching for options that improve their healthspan, the period of their lifetime in which they’re in good health. Restaurants are now appealing to Gen Z and Millennials by adding whole grain options and explaining the health benefits of their menu items, with recent data showing Gen Z is willing to pay more for foods they believe have health-boosting benefits.
Master the Latest Trends and Hone Your Talent with PICAchef Chef Training Courses
PICAchef’s chef instructors are continually analyzing the trends to provide our students with the ideal footing for a successful career in the evolving culinary marketplace.
When you select a PICAchef chef training course, you’ll benefit from training based on decades of experience in the top global restaurants and clear insights into the culinary industry's future. This approach produces well-rounded and inspired culinary graduates.
Begin the next step towards a rewarding career in 2024 by contacting our Admissions team and discussing our latest course options.
