Culinary Trends 2008

Its true ... sometimes we all just go for the food. Just like decorating houses and designing clothes, food and beverages go through trends. This year thaks to the Green Movement people have openned their minds to organic food again and with wonderful shows like Top Chef, cooking has become a coveted art form.

The Culinary world just finished its annual National Restaurant Association Tradeshow where the best of the best meet and host discussion about what's cooking in the world of food and beverages. So you want to be on top of the trends the next time you host a shin-dig?

According to 1,282 chefs who participated in the National Restaurant Association 2008 Chef Survey, the following were some of the hottest trends and items to sink your teeth into.

1. Bite-size desserts


2. Locally grown produce


3. Organic produce


4. Small plates/tapas/mezze


5. Specialty sandwiches


6. Craft/artisan/microbrew beer


7. Sustaninable seafood


8. Grass-fed items


9. Energy drink cocktails


10. Salts (e.g., sea, smoked, colored, Kosher)


11. Ethnic fusion cuisine


12. Flatbreads


13. Martinis/flavored martinis


14. Mojito


15. Asian entree salad


16. Pomegranates


17. Asian appetizers


18. Microdistilled/artisanal liquors


19. Organic wine


20. Speciality beer (e.g.. season, fruit, spice/herb, beer cocktails)