2020 was an unpredictable and challenging year due to the Covid-19 crisis. Many families had to decide to postpone, reschedule or downsize the number of guests for weddings. The impact will be seen in 2021 as weddings continue to be intimate with smaller guest lists of close family and friends.
Menus in these will vary from sit-down to preset meals. Outdoor venues will be preferred over indoors. Compliances like masks and gloves will also see unique designs matching the uniforms/outfits of the crew.
Live streaming of events for the guests who attend events virtually, and even dine with the hosts, shall be prevalent and will involve delivering celebratory meals at their doorsteps.
After all, what is a wedding event without a lavish food menu to go along with it?
Here are the top F&B trends as per Foodlink’s predictions to rule weddings in 2021:
MODERN MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINES
As regional flavours and home-grown concepts are gaining popularity, we will begin to see more Arabian flavours and spices infused into European and Asian cuisines, giving way to unique fusion flavours of traditional and modern Middle Eastern cuisines reflective of Dubai’s cosmopolitan population.
HEALTHIER FOOD OPTIONS
As the focus has moved to health and fitness, people are demanding healthier food both at home, when dining out, and at social events, hence the upswing in the number of health-focused food trends with specialized options like keto, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and low-carb options, etc. Restaurants and the catering industry are incorporating fibres and more nutritious food into their menu to cater to the growing trend. Besides the primary vegetarian menu, caterers are coming up with food rich in vitamins and fibres.
GUT-FRIENDLY FOODS
Among the key dietary regimes for the year 2021 are gut-friendly foods that encourage positive gut health such as probiotics, prebiotics, fermented foods, activated charcoal, turmeric, and cumin.
SMALL PLATES/ONE-POT MEALS
Guests crave to experience new trendy food and concepts, based on finger foods and ‘meal in a bowl’ concepts like poke bowls, burrito bowl, bibimbop bowls, casserole foods, etc. Small plates preferably cooked live are the current trend, where chefs add elements of the guest’s choice in small plates and serve in an interactive format. You will see a lot of live cooking, sous vide cooking, Peruvian/wok bar with exotic healthy veggies, pink salt cooking, etc. as people are more conscious about food wastage and they don’t like buffet food or big portions anymore.
SUPPORTING THE LOCAL PRODUCE
Supporting local produce is another big thing. The farmer’s market scene has steadily grown over the last few years offering local and sustainable produce to both consumers and trade. Local and regional fish and seafood are easily available at the newly revamped Waterfront Market and Umm Sequim Fishing Harbour. Convenience will continue to be a significant factor but the focus on fresh local produce will stay.
THE TREND ON SUPERFOODS
Food will be associated with its benefits, going beyond its mere nutritional value. Food can influence our mood and can have positive effects on our beauty and body. Superfoods like fresh berries, fresh fish, leafy greens, legumes, cruciferous vegetables, tomatoes, nuts, and yoghurt will prevail.
DIY BARS
2020 has been a touch-me-not-year. 2021 is all about doing it yourself. Fun quirky stations like a taco bar, a guacamole station, make your own sundaes. It gives the guest a hands-on approach and brings in a more interactive approach. You will also see sealed and stylish cocktails.
MINI CLOCHES
Presentation of food has always been a key element of luxury catering. But the same will see new trends such as mini cloches being used for mini appetizers.
About the author:
Sanjay Vazirani is an avid traveller and a student of world cultures. He is the chairman and managing director of Foodlink Global Restaurants & Catering Services LLC a hospitality group into ultra-luxury catering, corporate catering, banquets & retail food chains, which include India Bistro, China Bistro, Glocal Junction, and Art of Dum. Sanjay has been awarded the Times Hospitality Icon in 2019 for his contribution to the Indian Hospitality Industry.
