A neat new survey was just released by the National Restaurant Association. The survey had 1,600 professional chefs (members of the American Culinary Federation) rank over two hundred culinary items as a “hot trend,” “yesterday’s news” or “perennial favorite.”
The #1 item on the “What’s Hot” list …. is … Locally Grown Produce, with Organic Produce coming in at #3, and Sustainable Seafood rounding out the list at #10.
Love this quote from the news release:
“… In 2009, we will see healthier menu options with an emphasis on produce and fruit, smaller dishes and fish, and an increase in the use of local and sustainable ingredients. Going green will no longer be an alternative, as it will affect everything we do in our industry, from the use of induction cooking to finding new and exciting local food sources. And the word ‘chef’ will represent and mean a chef who cooks healthy, flavorful foods.” — John Kinsella, CMC, CCE, WGMC, AAC, American Culinary Federation National President
I can only hope that the local food movement is a rising trend and not just a passing fad.