Maintaining guest satisfaction and loyalty requires diligent tracking of seasonal and yearly trends, especially in the food and beverage sector. Without the right support, keeping up with the most popular dining trends can be challenging.
Luckily, our team at Valor Hospitality Partners has the support of global culinary experts like our Global Food and Beverage Director, Chris Martha, advising us on what’s hot right now in food and beverage. Here are a few food and beverage trends to watch out for in Summer 2019 and beyond!
1. Freshen up the menu with locally-sourced ingredients
For eco-conscious and health-conscious guests, locally-sourced ingredients are a huge draw. Not only do these fresh, healthy ingredients fuel the local community, they’re also great for the environment.
Today, there is a definite push from consumers to provide locally sourced products, especially amongst the younger generations. This demand dates back to 1981, when Americans first began considering the benefits of sustainable dieting and the preservation of local farmland. Today’s travelers appreciate knowing their dining choices fill their bellies and satisfy their palates while positively impacting both the local community–and the planet.
Depending on your location, you can sometimes use the season or the local climate to offer your guests a unique experience using locally sourced ingredients. For example, unique dining establishment Perch, located inside The Lodge at Gulf State Park, has the luxury of offering locally sourced seafood, pictured above. Perch is known for its focus on providing the highest quality seafood products from trusted local fishermen. With significantly shorter transport mileage, utilizing local products can also reduce gas emissions, which is great news for the environment.
2. Keep the craft beers coming
Over the last 40 years, the art of American craft beer has become its own culture. With over 6,000 breweries and a reported 25 million brewery barrels in 2017, the craft is alive and well in the US. Yet the market continues to grow, valued in 2018 at around $26 billion. Whether it comes in a can or you serve it on tap, Americans love a great craft beer.
If you’re looking to get that “WOW factor,” take your beer menu to the next level with local craft beers. The goal of the modern traveler is to immerse themselves in the culture of any given destination. Offering signature items from local vendors is a great way to give guests an authentic taste of the nearby community–while giving back to the local economy.
Atlanta tourists and natives alike have an appreciation for the rotating selection of local Georgia beers, pictured above, offered at The Public House Restaurant, a dining establishment inside Hotel Indigo Vinings in Atlanta.
3. Say “goodbye” to the typical fine dining experience
White linen table coverings and the typical suit-and-tie aesthetic are no longer the sole staple of a great dining experience. And in today’s culinary atmosphere, the best dining experiences aren’t always served with a side of elegance. Recently, the restaurant industry has seen an increase in casual dining establishments. Casual dress code, a time-efficient format, and quality cuisine have taken precedence when it comes to eating-out in the US.
Today, a casual eatery with locally sourced food and beverage items can be just as successful as a gourmet fine dining chain. The best part?–you can wear jeans. Trading Post at Delta Hotels Basking Ridge, pictured above, offers a casual dining experience with a New Jersey-inspired menu. Handcrafted cocktails and locally sourced, fresh, high-quality ingredients are just a few trademarks of this laid-back dining experience.
4. Get crafty with your cocktail menu
From mushroom-infused drinks to elevated mocktails, the options for signature summertime cocktails are getting craftier in 2019. Expect to see an increase in unlikely pairings, rose- and turmeric- flavored beverages, and food-inspired cocktails on the drink menu this year. Another unexpected surprise is the development of sustainable cocktail recipes to suit an increasingly eco-conscious climate.
The Harpeth Hotel, along with its unique dining establishment 1799 Kitchen and Cocktails , is set to open in Franklin Tennessee during late summer–just in time to greet the 2019 cocktail craze. With a focus on Tennessee Whiskey and an extensive beverage program, 1799 will have plenty of room to experiment with the 2019 beverage trends. Offering over 45 small batch and single barrel spirits across all regions around the world, the options for hand-crafted cocktails are endless.
Tell Us: Which food and beverage trend is your favorite this season?