On the back of the pandemic, innovative ideas are helping keep the food industry afloat - and COVID-safe.

Here are some of the food trends to watch for in 2021 - from ramping up takeaway menus to offering digital ordering and a bit of home comfort! 

Dining at home is in the spotlight

It’s no surprise that takeaway was popular during the lockdowns that kept customers at home last year, and according to a report in Hospitality Magazine, the trend is likely to continue into 2021. Millions of Australians are also using home delivery services like UberEats on a regular basis. Food industry operators are taking advantage of the demand by using these services, or offering their own in-house delivery to save on commission. Ready to cook meal kits are another popular trend, enabling people to easily and quickly prepare fresh meals for COVID-safe dining at home.

Digital menus for enhanced safety

Many venues are moving to digital ordering platforms to decrease the number of touchpoints customers need to navigate. Customers can now check out menus on their phones via QR codes and even order and pay online from the table. These platforms also make updating your menus easy!

Set menus save money

Lockdowns and social distancing rules have impacted the number of dine-in customers at venues, leading to uncertainty around ordering supplies. Set menus have saved the day for many food industry operators. This way, you’ll know exactly how much to order and can more easily estimate how much revenue you’ll make per person.

Quality food is in demand

According to the report, the demand for fresh, quality food that caters for different dietary requirements is rising. This includes vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options on menus. Supporting local farmers and sustainable practices also continues to be important - for venues and customers alike.

Comfort food is a hit with diners

From satisfying pasta dishes to tasty roast meats, comfort food is a joy and has proven to be very popular during the pandemic. Some venues have also had success with incorporating homemade pickles and relishes into their menus. Making your own can be time consuming, but a quality wholesale relish supplier in Sydney can help you spice up your menu for little effort. Made using long-held family recipes, handpicked ingredients and traditional production methods, Relish48 products for example offer home-style comfort and full-bodied flavours - from pickles to burger relish.

From takeaway menus and delivery services to digital ordering and set menus, food industry trends in 2021 are largely fuelled by COVID-19 protocols. However, whether you sell lunchtime sandwiches, food truck goodies or gourmet main meals, offering your customers quality relishes, peppers and pickles is always on-trend!