1. The Sriracha effect. Having learned that Sriracha sauce can add instant ethnic cachet to something as straightforward as a sandwich, chefs are scouting the world for other assertive flavorings to employ in similar ways. Likely bets: ghost pepper from India; sambal from Southeast Asia; gochujang from Korea: harissa, sumac and dukka from North Africa.
2. Elevating peasant fare. Meatballs and sausages are proliferating-traditional, ethnic or nouveau, shaped from many types and combinations of meats. Likewise on the rise are multi- ethnic dumplings, from pierogis to bao buns. Even the staff of life gets the royal treatment, from haute toast to signature cheesy bread.
3. Trash to treasure. Rising prices for proteins raise the profiles of under-utilized stewing cuts organ meats and "trash" species of fish but the "use it all" mindset has also moved beyond the center of the plate. How about a veggie burger made with carrot pulp from the juicer?
4. Burned. Smoke and fire are showing up everywhere on the menu: in charred or roasted vegetable side in desserts with charred fruits or burnt-sugar toppings; in cocktails featuring smoked salt, smoked ice or smoky syrups
5. Bubbly. Effervescence makes light work of the trendiest beverages: Champagnes and Proseceos, a aperitifs, adults-only "hard" soft drinks including ginger ales and root beers, fruit-based artisanal sodas, sparkling teas
6. Negative on GMOs. Whatever the science says, many consumers have made up their minds: c tinkering with their food. Some diners will gravitate to restaurants touting GMO others will demand GMO labeling on menus. That's a big issue for the supply free fare: chain, since many crops (such as soy fed to livestock) have been modified to boost productivity