12th Jan 2024 - 05:00
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Abstract
Foodservice provider Bidfood has surveyed more than 1,000 UK adult consumers to discover their wish list for the year ahead and understand the choices they are making to help operators fine-tune their menus.
Catherine Hinchcliff, head of corporate marketing and insight at Bidfood, said: “Sustainability remains a prominent factor to us and continues to influence consumer decision-making. This year, instead of being a standalone trend, we’ve incorporated it into all our trends, which reflects the way many chefs weave sustainability into everyday ways of working.”
The research found:
- 77% of consumers are value-led because of the cost-of-living crisis and thus want to see offers to win them over
- 70% of consumers liked flavour contrasts with top combinations including sweet & sour, sweet & spicy and sweet & salty
- Authenticity was important with 77% saying they enjoyed trying flavours from all over the world
- 56% said they be willing to pay more for well-presented dishes that showed provenance of ingredients
- 44% of consumers said they tried Medican cuisine, with 32% wanting to try it
- Eastern European cuisine has grown more popular, as 44% of consumers want to try it, particularly Polish, Hungarian and Romanian foods
- British Fusion meanwhile appeals to 68% of those surveyed
- Just under half of people (48%) wanted food that was good for their health and wellbeing