Food Trends: What’s hot for 2016

LOCAL SOURCING OF PRODUCE, meat and seafood are among the top restaurant trends for 2016, according to the National Restaurant Association’s annual culinary forecast. The survey, focusing on the responses of nearly 1,600 chefs, also identified continued interest in environmental sustainability as a trend.

Locally sourced meat and seafood rank at the top of the list, while locally grown produce was ranked No. 2. “Diners want to know as much as they can about what they’re eating, especially when they’re at restaurants,” says Jeff Clark, director of the association’s sustainability program. “They want to understand everything—from the way a certain food tastes, to how the farmer grew it, to how far it traveled to get to the plate. Chefs and operators know this and are more engaged in telling their stories and acting in environmentally friendly ways.”

About 45 percent of the chefs surveyed said local sourcing was the food trend that grew the most in the last decade. And 41 percent said environmental sustainability would grow most over the next 10 years.

“We’ve been seeing strong trends toward sustainability in the food space for several years now, and it’s clear that’s going to continue to grow,” says Annika Stensson, the association’s director of research communications.

Laura Abshire, the group’s director of sustainability, says discussion about food waste seems to be everywhere: “I’m proud to say our industry is taking notice and becoming more aware of the problem. Restaurant operators are really starting to change their thinking around food recovery and reducing waste.”

Here’s what chefs think is going to be hot in the New Year and where to find it in our region:

LOCALLY SOURCED MEATS & SEAFOOD
Nevada County Free Range Beef
NevadaCountyFreeRangeBeef.com

BriarPatch Co-op, Grass Valley
BriarPatch.coop

Morgan’s Lobster Shack & Fish Market, Truckee
MorgansLobsterShack.com

Tahoe Central Market, Lake Tahoe
TahoeCentralMarket.com

Sierra Meat Buyers Club
SinclairFamilyFarm.net

The Little Fish Co.
WildLittleFish.com

LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE
Ike’s Quarter Cafe, Nevada City
IkesQuarterCafe.com

SummerThyme’s Bakery & Deli, Grass Valley
SummerThymes.com

HEALTHFUL KIDS’ MEALS
Ike’s Quarter Cafe, Nevada City
IkesQuarterCafe.com

Matteo’s Public, Nevada City
MatteosPublic.com

BriarPatch Deli, Grass Valley
BriarPatch.coop

HOUSE-MADE ARTISAN ICE CREAM
Treats of Nevada City, Nevada City
TreatsNevadaCity.com

AUTHENTIC ETHNIC CUISINE
Casa Las Katarinas, Grass Valley
Facebook.com/CasaLasKatarinas

Los Mineros, Nevada City
Facebook.com/LosMinerosTacos

Maria’s Mexican Restaurant, Grass Valley
MariasGrassValley.com

Sopa Thai, Nevada City & Yuba City
SopaThai.net

Taste of Thai, Grass Valley
TasteofThaiGV.com

ARTISAN BUTCHERY
Longhorn Meat Co., Auburn
LonghornMeatCo.com

Roseville Meat Co., Roseville
RosevilleMeats.com

Tootles Butcher Shop, Marysville
Visit on Facebook

ANCIENT GRAINS
Grass Valley Grains
GrassValleyGrains.com

FRESH HOUSE-MADE SAUSAGE
The Farm Table, Placerville
OurFarmTable.com

ETHNIC CONDIMENTS/SPICES
Tikka Masala Blend
Huck’s Hollow Farm, GV
HucksHollowFarm.com

STREET FOOD & FOOD TRUCKS
Fatbelly Taqueria, Nevada City

Red Truck, Truckee
RedTruckTahoe.com

An Honest Pie, Grass Valley
AnHonestPie.com