Image via National Restaurant Association
The National Restaurant Association (disclaimer: former employer and current client) released their annual “What’s Hot in 2012” survey yesterday. The survey of nearly 1,800 professional chefs – who are all members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) – revealed that children’s nutrition and local sourcing will be the hottest trends on restaurant menus this coming year.
The chefs also identified smartphone apps and tablet computers as the top technology trends. In addition, 6 out of 10 chefs said they would consider a food truck as an entrepreneurial business venture.
About one-quarter of the chefs (26 percent) ranked smartphone apps as the hottest technology trend in restaurants in 2012, and another quarter (25 percent) said tablet computers (i.e. iPads for menus and wine lists) will be the top technology trend. Sixteen percent said social media would be the top trend, and the same percentage said mobile/wireless/pay-at-the-table payment options, while 4 percent said QR codes.
In addition, more than six out of 10 (61 percent) of the chefs said they would consider launching a food truck as an entrepreneurial business venture.
Check out the video below for more info:
