How to research current food and beverage trends

Why bother with trends?

Before you perfect your signature dish or choose a name, taking the time to research food and beverage trends is one of the most valuable things you can do. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t open a record shop selling only 8-track tapes, would you? Understanding the current scene helps you fine-tune your idea, spot a gap in the market, and create a business that feels fresh, relevant, and exciting to potential customers.

This isn’t about blindly copying what’s popular. It’s about understanding what people want and finding a unique way to give it to them, blended with your own passion and style.

What to look for

Your research should be a bit like a treasure hunt. You’re looking for clues about what people are eating, drinking, and how they’re doing it. Here are the key areas to focus on:

• Dietary Trends: This is more than just vegetarianism. Think about the rise of plant-based eating, veganism, gluten-free requirements, and low-sugar or low-carb lifestyles. Catering to these needs can open up a huge customer base.
• Popular Cuisines: Are people crazy for Korean fried chicken, authentic Mexican tacos, or modern British classics? See which global flavours are getting people excited.
• Sustainability and Ethics: Customers care more than ever about where their food comes from. Look for trends in local sourcing, reducing food waste, using eco-friendly packaging, and high animal welfare standards.
• The Experience: It’s not always just about the food itself. Think about the rise of street food, gourmet meal kits for home, ‘Instagrammable’ presentation, and unique pop-up dining events.
• Drink Trends: Don’t forget the drinks! Artisan coffee, craft beers, cocktails, and especially the boom in creative low-alcohol and alcohol-free options are all important trends to watch.

Where to find your information

Luckily, you don’t need a crystal ball. All the information you need is out there, and much of it is free. Here’s how to get started:

1. Go Digital: The internet is your best friend here. Spend a few hours diving into the UK’s online food world. Look at what food influencers on Instagram and TikTok are talking about, browse popular food blogs, and check the websites of food magazines like BBC Good Food, Olive, and Delicious for their trend reports.
2. Get Out and About: There is no substitute for real-world research. Visit local food markets, street food halls, and farmers' markets. See which stalls have the biggest queues. What are they selling? How is it presented? This is where you’ll spot emerging trends before they hit the mainstream.
3. Read Menus: Look up the menus of successful, innovative cafes and restaurants in your area and in big cities like London, Manchester, or Bristol. What ingredients, dishes, or drinks keep appearing? This is a fantastic way to see what’s working for others.
4. Check the Press: The food sections of major newspapers (like The Guardian’s Feast supplement) and industry publications (like The Caterer) are brilliant sources for spotting what’s next.

Making sense of it all

After your research, you’ll have a head full of ideas. The final step is to connect these trends back to your own business concept.

The best ideas often sit at the intersection of a popular trend and your own unique passion.

Don’t just copy a trend; give it your own twist. For example, you might notice that gourmet doughnuts are popular (the trend) and you love classic British desserts (your passion). Your winning idea could be a range of doughnuts with flavours like Sticky Toffee Pudding or Rhubarb and Custard.

This research gives your passion a purpose and a direction. It helps you build a food business that isn't just delicious, but is also exactly what people are looking for.