With summer on the horizon, we thought this would be the perfect time to take a look at what customers are craving during the warmer months and the tasty trends we can expect to see this year. One thing’s for certain, with the world opening back up, customers are hungry to get out there and enjoy restaurants again. That makes this the perfect time to refresh summer menus so you can provide the most delicious offerings.
The top 10 dishes of yesteryear.
What do customers want to see on the menu this year? To get a better idea, let’s take a look at what they ordered most on Skip last summer. Here are the top 10 faves of summer 2021.
- Salmon Sushi
- Chicken Burrito
- Jerk Chicken
- Fried Chicken
- Margherita Pizza
- Beef Donair
- Fish and Chips
- Chicken Caesar Wrap
- Classic Poutine
- Sweet Potato Fries
So, what’s piquing interest this summer? Feast your eyes on the tasty food and drink trends that’ll be keeping it hot in 2022.
- Marvelous mocktails.
With many on the path to a healthier lifestyle this year, there has been a growing demand for healthier cocktails, sans the booze. Restaurants are getting creative with their concoctions playing around with green juices, kombucha, floral garnishes, fresh produce, and flavoured sparkling waters.
- Plant-based perfection.
This is one trend that has exploded over the past year. And it’s made for summer. Not only is it a lighter option, there are so many tasty products to experiment with on the grill, from plant-based burgers to chicken wings to hot dogs to sausages and more.
- Fantastic fusions.
We’re not talking over-the-top fusions like the sushi burritos and donut burgers of the past. This year’s fusion is more about multi-ethnic, “borderless” cuisines that embrace one’s unique identity or reflects cultural influences of a given region. For example, Toronto’s Patois restaurant and Skip partner serves up dishes that reflect the Caribbean and Asian roots of the owner, like Jerk Chicken Chow Mein.
- Spicy stuff.
From traditional spices to BBQ rubs, spicier flavours are getting even hotter in 2022. Especially spicy, sweet dishes inspired by global cuisines like Korean gochujang, Mexican tajin, Japanese furikake, or Indonesian sambal.
- Magnificent mushrooms.
This one is at the top of popular food lists right now, and for good reason. Not only are they a healthy and tasty addition to any dish, they’re good for the environment too. As a sustainable food source, they fertilize the soil and reduce toxins when they grow. No wonder they’re having a moment.
For a perfect shiny day, you can try pairing these popular food and drinks in summer. And there it is. If you’re looking to spruce up your menu for the warmer months ahead, pepper in a couple of these popular trends and you’ll be golden.
