Buying Guide: Tasteful Trends
The future of food lies in "fine eating", not "fine dining" - meaning the focus is on food without the formality. This fuss-free approach is driving a resurgence in bistros, cocktail lounges, bakeries, and most importantly, in food, tabletop, and kitchenware for our industry. While the the experience is still extremely important, it is in a more relaxed setting. We are also seeing a resurgence in nostalgic flavors. Consumers are indulging in childhood favorites like lunchables, cereal, s'mores, etc. but this time with a grown-up touch thanks to gourmet ingredients, alcohol, and more.
Our tasteful buying guide highlights food and entertaining products that are trending for the holidays and 2023.
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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.
Sriracha Ranch Snack Mix 7oz
Aged Parmesan Cheese Sticks
8 oz Sea Salt Caramels Dark/3 ct
Original 10oz gift bag
“Charcuterie boards represent community, something we all crave,” says Mike Buononato, chef and senior VP of Creative Food Solutions, a food innovation consultancy. “They are by design a shareable, artistic execution of flavors, visuals, and textures meant for people to experience together.”
Stonewall Kitchen
CHEESE MARKERS S/4 (F21)
CLEMENT ROUND BOARD LARGE
Mother of Pearl White Marble Cheese Board & Knive Set
APPETIZER TRAY SQ 13in-WHITE (COOK & HOST)
VIDA Nube Extra Lg Rect Tray (White)
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.
Sea Salt Espresso Martini Mixer 24 fl oz
Pomegranate Cosmo Mixer 24 fl oz
Fall is a great time of year to host some fun cocktail parties! Just break out the festive napkins, serveware and glassware, and rock the cocktail shaker for a memorable night.
Karma
Whiskey Wedge - Single
MID CENTURY WINE GLASS IRIDESCENT (S21)
GLASS Audrey Stemless Flute with Gold Rim S4 (Clea
This Day Deserves Booze Rocks Glass
LEXI MARTINI GLASS GRAY (S21)
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.
SUPER COCKTAIL PICK SET/4
TF Bloody Mary Olives 12oz
Peppadew Sriracha Bloody Mary Mixer 24 fl oz
Mimosa Jam 12.5oz
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.
Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake Mix
KIDS COOKIE CUTTER WITH SPATULA SET UNICORN (F21)
KIDS COOKIE CUTTER WITH SPATULA SET DINO (F21)
MADE WITH LOVE BAKING MAT
CERAMIC Sm Oval Baker with Gold Handles (Blue)
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.
Halloween
1 oz Milk Chocolate Ghost/12 ct
CHOCOLATE SAUCE Bourbon Smoked Cacao Nibs Bourbon
Bourbon Pecan Caramel Sauce 12.5oz
Halloween Magic Napkin-Beverage
Thanksgiving
UA Gourmet Gobbler Turkey Brine Kit 12.75oz
Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly 12.75oz
BOURBON BARREL APPLE BUTTER
Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
6oz Fall Miniature Bourbon Truffles/4 ct
Pumpkin Spice Quick Bread Mix
Thanksgiving Printed Dishtowels Mixed Dozen
Pumpkin Serving Board-Medium
INDIVIDUAL PUMPKIN BAKER
Gluten Free Cornbread Mix
Christmas
Gingerbread Mix
Sugar Cookie Mix
Gingerbread Cookie Mix
SPATULA AND COOKIE CUTTER SET SNOWFLAKE (H21)
SUGAR COOKIE KIDS APRON
7 oz Bag Dk Choc Peppermint Crunch/4 ct
Silicone Christmas Lg/Sm Spatula Gift Set S/12
GIFTABLES Holiday Christmas Tree Mini Platter
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.
Eat Your Bourbon Cookbook
3-Spice Gift Pack
Woodford Bitters Dram Set
6 oz Hol Asst Whipping Cre Truffles/4 ct
1.8 oz Reindeer Noses/12 ct
Curating Choices for Shoppers
Consumers are spending less money on gifts and more on experiences. Food, conveniently, is both a gift and experience. Over the past few years, food has become extremely giftable if it is packaged the right way. Whether you are just starting to offer food or looking to elevate your current assortments, we've put together a list of popular seasonal merchandising stories with food and tabletop product recommendations to elevate what you offer.
Football and Tailgating
Halloween
Hostess Gift
Friendsgiving & Thanksgiving
Baking and Kids Holiday
Christmas
New Years