What's Cooking in 2010

Menu Trends
Among the hot new menu trends for 2010 are some general culinary themes that proved to be hot trends in 2009, such as locally grown ingredients, healthier menu choices, and of course going green. In the upcoming year the restaurant industry is taking these culinary themes back to basics.
Locally grown and organic produce, meats, and seafood is a hot trend not only because it supports local communities, but also for the product's freshness and minimal transportation.This trend may also play a role in what is being predicted to be the hottest restaurant concept this year, which is restaurants with gardens. Other hot trends in this area are farm branded ingredients and regional ethnic cuisine.
Menu nutrition has gotten alot of attention with various government menu labeling acts and is definitely a 2010 hot trend. Included is nutritionally balanced kids' menus, smaller portions, and allergy conscious and gluten-free meals.
Environmentally friendly practices in preparation, cooking, and equipment use are all trends in 2010. According to NRA the top three cooking methods in order are liquid nitrogen freezing, followed by braising, and smoking and oil poaching.
Other top menu trends for 2010 are non-traditional fish, newly created cuts of meats, mini burgers/ sliders as an appetizer, braised vegetables, bite sized desserts and house-made ice cream,artisan cheeses, black garlic to spice dishes, specialty teas, and organic coffees.

As with food locally produced beer and wine is a hot trend for 2010. Other alcohol trends include culinary cocktails, alcohol and food pairings, specialty beer, artisan liquors, and organic cocktails.
  

Sales Forecast
Restaurant Industry sales are expected to show a slow, but steady improvement throughout 2010. Sales are projected to reach $580 billion, which is a 2.5% increase over 2009 sales and will account for 4% of the U.S. gross domestic product.
Projected sales for quick service restaurants are $164.8 billion, which is a 3% increase over 2009 sales. Projected sales for full service restaurants are $184 billion, which is an increase from 2009 of 1.2%.  Eating and drinking establishments are expected to show the strongest increase in sales which is projected to increase 4.9% over 2009 sales.
The strongest restaurant industry sales growth for 2010 is expected to be seen in Colorado however it is not in the industry sales top five states.  The top five states by sales volume are predicted to be, in order, California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.


Employment
The restaurant Industry lost jobs in 2009, however still employs 12.7 million individuals, which is 9% of the U.S. workforce. The restaurant industry is projected to employ 14 million individuals by 2020, which will be an increase of 1.3 million jobs.