Want to know from the experts – ‘What is trending’ in the F&B space in India? Paul Kinny, Director of Culinary, The St Regis Mumbai, sheds some light on the same.
What’s hot on the fine dining menu?
2023 not only promises big changes for restaurants and the food industry at large but it’s also going to be an exciting year for foodies and diners as well.
‘Special Experiences’ and ‘Theatrical Environments’ will be in trend this year around. When people do decide to treat themselves to a meal out, they will have a desire for more maximalist experiences that really feel special! I foresee more live music or entertainment or an emphasis on tableside theatre and fun cocktails. Fine dining restaurants with a ‘vibe’ along with world class food offerings, tasting menus, cuisine concepts and imaginative mixology will rule the roost in 2023!
What’s brewing in beverages?
The alcho-bev industry is evolving to meet shifting consumer demands in the changing post pandemic world. Along with fun interactive cocktails and artistic mixology, I see a growth trend in higher quality beverages outside of the bar space in the form of RTD (Ready-To-Drink) cocktails, non-alcoholic or low alcoholic spirit alternatives, new botanical non-alcoholic spirits and non-alcoholic agave spirits asking for space on beverage menus. A new line of ‘single origin’ spirits that put ingredients on the forefront are certain to shape up the year.
At The St Regis Mumbai, we are going beyond just a glass of bubbly as we see ‘sparkling wines’ to continue being mega-popular in 2023. Not just a classic champagne, but also cava, prosecco, perhaps even a glass of Italian Franciacorta! Premiumization and sustainability will also be the guiding trends. In 2023, these will merge as consumers seek premium beverage options that also have an eco-conscious way of doing business!
Tech influence on fine dining
Now that travel restrictions are being relaxed, international guest chef events and collaborations, restaurant pop-ups, menu swaps, cross-border collaborations are coming back with a roar!
Adapting to technology such as QR menus, cloud kitchens and delivery apps in line with shifting consumer preferences to meet the needs of the digitally savvy Gen Zs and millennials’ cravings for fresh food, mobile ordering and automated kiosks have already become commonplace. However, it’s time now for fine dining restaurants to start using more digital tools to enhance their diners’ experiences. In 2023, nanotechnology-powered ingredients – example in food preservation, fermentation, and nutrition enhancement – and back-to-basics cooking are some of the innovations in restaurant dining.
