Normally, we recap the biggest trends we sampled at our annual trade show in just one article. But after Innovations’ new tasting event, we have a lot to digest.
At Trend Explorer, an exclusive event for national account operator attendees, about 60 exhibitors teamed up with Acxion and Connections powered by CSSI to offer the best samples our show floor had ever seen. Every dish and drink was inspired by one of seven Datassential trends. We also carried on our tradition of the Culinary Experience Lunch, where select exhibitors serve lunch-sized samples on the floor to all attendees.
In part one, we’re covering Innovations 2024 samples inspired by three Datassential trends: big and bold, down-to-earth, and escapism. Stay tuned for part two, where we’ll continue with European 2.0, health and wellness, newstalgia, and the unexpected.
Your Sourcing Solution
As Jack Li put it, “don’t limit your menu ideas.” Consumers are gravitating towards multiple trends. Restaurants shouldn’t try to be everything to everybody, but they can take bits of inspiration from here and there to imagine new possibilities for their menus.
For more inspiration from Innovations, be sure to check out part two where we dive into even more trends and samples from Trend Explorer. Plus, visit our website, where all products from the show floor are available, including those featured at our new tasting event.
Explore trends on the Dot Foods website.