Good Morning Luv-lies,

What does: gluten-free everything, the use of natural ingredients, cupcakes {all kinds – including gluten-free & vegan}, kale chips and bacon with chocolate anything, have in common?  If you guessed that they were food trends that came into there own in 2013, then *ding. ding. ding.* you are right!

Because of their short-lived popularity, I don’t usually follow trends.  However, I’ve found that food trends have become the exception to my, otherwise, steadfast rule.  Unlike most trends, food trends won’t leave you with tons of expensive unusable dated  items that you quickly grow to regret purchasing.  Instead, food trends will allow you to explore the world of food, beyond what you may have ever imagined.  In addition to being tastefully pleasing, there is also the visual and olfactory pleasures that can be derived from juuuust the right food .   Through food, we can be transported to that time, place and/or experience that brought us comfort, delight and fulfillment.

In all honesty, it’s been the vast array of food oriented programming that seems to have exploded on the television scene, that has gotten me interested and intrigued with ‘all things food’.  I realized some time ago that their are two types of ‘foodies’ – Those who derive great pleasure from preparing food.  And those who derive pleasure from consuming the deliciousness produced by the former.  For many, many years, I have shamelessly been a flag waving member of the latter.  As such, I just didn’t understand the hoopla about something that it so fundamentally necessary!  After all… food is just food – right?

 NOT!

You see, what I’ve come to learn and  is that chefs, truly have a different relationship with food *that’s fodder for another post*.  I guess that you can say that, through the magic of television, I’ve crossed over from being just a consumer of food to one who has come to revel in the delight, excitement and enjoyment that can be derived from preparing/presenting/plating food.  *aside*- now I know that a chef that does not make me *big smile*

  That being said, I have to admit, that I now look at these culinary shows with a different insight.  That insight includes realizing that, like other things, food has its trend.  What? Food. Trendy?   …. Well yeeeey!  So without further ado, here is my unofficial list of  eight of this year’s food trends::

~1~

Infused Ice Cubes

~2~

Ice Cream Sandwiches

~3~

Farm 2 Table Eating

~4~

Food Tastings

~5~
 Specialty Food Trucks

~6~

Salad in a Jar

~7~

Cauliflower  {ala ‘Pink Cauliflower Soup’}

~8~

Wine. Champagne.  Beer. {as a braise for whatever it is that your heart desires}

 That’s my list.  I can’t wait until the end of the year to see how many I’ve nailed

How did I do?

… Do tell …