Buying Guide: Tasteful Trends

Get On Board with Charcuterie

Charcuterie boards will likely never go out of style! In fact, consumers and retailers are just scratching the surface of the serving board trend. Charcuterie continues to gain momentum as shareable gourmet snacking experiences. Shared food experiences feed the need for connection that consumers crave today. Over the past few years, the notion of charcuterie has broadened from basic meats, cheeses, and fruits to include skillfully assembled specialty foods such as chocolate-covered strawberries and unique items such as gourmet marshmallows and plant-based cheeses.

The Cocktail Craze Continues

The past few years have changed many aspects of consumer habits, including the way people buy and consume beverages. Consumers have traded up to higher-quality drinks during the pandemic, and the premium cocktail craze is here to stay! Whether you are at a fancy lounge or in sweatpants on your sofa, sipping on a beautiful cocktail always makes you feel fabulous. Everyone should be able to make great cocktails at home and our selection of brands make that possible. Then, step up the experience with signature barware.

Brunch

Bigger and more experimental breakfasts have been trending this year. With hybrid working models, and fewer of us commuting, breakfast has become more of a focal point. Gone are the days of overnight oats and rushing out the door. Rather than confining breakfast to being eaten first thing, we are spreading our breakfasts out across the morning – making times for things like eggs benedict or shakshuka. In fact, the consumption of eggs has increased over 68% in the last year. Our experimentation with breakfast foods has no doubt spilled over to a not-so-basic weekend brunch, with Bloody Mary and Mimosa bars continuing to be an essential part of the brunch experience in 2023.

Baking

Bakery products are staples in US households. The baking craze ramped up during the pandemic, with approximately 30% of consumers reporting acquiring new baking skills during the pandemic. Online searches for sourdough, banana bread, brownies, and even pizza dough reached all-time highs, according to Google Trends. While the baking craze may seem to be on the decline, Google searches reveal that these foods have remained more popular than before the pandemic. Pandemic rookies have turned into lifelong bakers, as consumers are turning to baking as a way to unwind.

Festive Flavors & Favorites

From drinks to dinners, table settings to sweets and everything in between, customers will be treating themselves during the holiday season. This year, consumers will be reinventing traditions, serving familiar classics with modern twists to impress loved ones and make the holidays special.

Laura Strapp, head of buying at Cotswold Fayre, told Speciality Food “We are expecting customers to go all out for Christmas this year despite continually seeing the cost of living rising. Where consumers are looking to make cutbacks, we think they will still look to then treat themselves at Christmas and go for all the trimmings.”

We are all seeking the cozy feeling that comes with retro flavors, foods from the past, and dishes we loved as kids. Digging out family recipes and our selection of festive favorites is a sure way to serve up some nostalgia this holiday season.

Gourmet Gifts

It can be hard to find thoughtful, meaningful gifts for the ones we love. But, if there is one thing that will be sure to delight even the hardest-to-please friend or family member, it is food - especially if it is packaged the right way. No matter the person or occasion, there is a food gift that will make their day. Even though a box of homemade Christmas cookies can be extremely meaningful (and delicious) not everyone has the ability or time to bake, decorate, wrap, and deliver handmade goodies. Our featured foodie gifts will feed your customers stomachs and their souls.