Fine-Dining Tabletop Concepts & Key Trends
Fine dining in a catering establishment relies on impeccable service, lavish décor, and gourmet food to come together and produce a memorable experience for the customer. When Restaurants focus on the finer details of each of these facets, the experience can be elevated into an art.
One of the key details for Continental Chef Supplies is Tableware concepts; the area that truly brings together the food, décor and service of fine dining.
To assist with these key tabletop presentation choices, our purchasing & marketing teams have identified key trends & concepts for the Hospitality industry for 2021 and beyond. Alongside these trends, there is a selection of signature tableware pieces from our key suppliers that will really highlight an establishments dedication to being at the forefront of a fast-paced industry; and help to showcase ever-changing menus and seasonal produce…from the pass to the table.
Covid-Safe Tableware Concepts
As our amazing industry continues to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, suppliers have produced stylish and innovative solutions to help food establishments create the perfect environment & atmosphere for The New Normal.
My Glass Studio are one of these suppliers that have taken the opportunity to create a collection of Bento Dinner Plates that acts as a container to guard food and provide protection. It provides the sense of safety and peace of mind that post-Covid restaurant guests do value without compromising the sense of luxury. Delighting guests through the sense of safety, creativity, and innovative products. It encompasses the needs for in-room dining, meetings and events, restaurants, bar food, lobby lounges and even receptions. A Covid-Safe tableware concept that allows for beautiful presentation of any culinary creation.
According to The Caterer, Bidfood has recently spoken on the food & drink trends for this year by highlighting that " cleanliness and safety are paramount as consumers safely begin to return to a "new normal" way of life. This makes Covid-safe tableware extremely important within the Hospitality Industry - allowing for consumers to feel safe when they are eating out"
Nature Tabletop Concepts
Nature designed tableware has become increasingly popular over the last few years as a result, and statement pieces can really reconnect customers with their natural environment whilst dining out. At Continental Chef Supplies a few of our fine dine brands pride themselves on creating nature-inspired pieces, targeting establishments that want to impress consumers with a timeless experience.
Pordamsa have based their tabletop on all things nature & earth - making the impossible possible. One of their popular collections, Roca is inspired by the texture and aesthetic strength of sea rocks ensuring the timeless works of art at the service of the most creative chefs. From Sea to Table their Mediterranean Textures collection is based around the textures of Oysters, mussels, seashells, and sea urchins - small pieces with shapes and reliefs which will surprise Chefs and will embellish the best recipes from the sea.
Through the concept of biomimicry, GIFRE designs tableware which was once thought impossible. Nature is recreated for your table through intricate and opulent design. Allowing Chefs to plunge into the depths of their imagination with fantastic ocean themed pieces of tableware. Their Terracotta collection replicates bark, providing intriguing and eccentric receptacles for food. The unusual pairing of terracotta with stainless steel is the perfect separation between nature and art.
Nature tableware is looking to be a trend that continues within the industry, especially with these nature-inspired brands to reignite the adoration of unique tabletop pieces.
Low or No Alcohol Drinks Trend
The Caterer has recently released an article claiming that " a third of UK adults have now removed alcohol from diets and drink suppliers are having to develop interesting, exciting concepts to keep these consumers engaged."
As well as the rise in low or no alcohol sales in the UK • Consumer spending on eating and drinking out rose by 36.7% during June compared to the same period in 2019, the latest card transaction data from Barclaycard has shown. The increase of consumers drinking out will see the need for glassware to escalate - food and drink establishments will have to accommodate to this significant upsurge by investing in more drinkware in case of breakages.
Riedel Crystal specialise in fine dine stemware - from tumblers to decanters they were developed with an eye to catering and restaurants entrepreneurial demands. Their Restaurant collection is perfect for any food & drink establishment - the glasses have proven to consumers and restauranteurs that drink appreciation starts with the glass. Mocktails or Cocktails can be enjoyed in Riedel's stemware - as well as your favourite no alcohol wine.
Healthy Eating
A growing trend throughout 2021 as businesses hope to build more trust with customers. Consumer behaviour continues to change with more people searching for sustainable and ethical food. Innova Market Insights believe that " transparency will be one of the top trends for the food and drink industry in 2021, with six in 10 global consumers interested in learning more about where foods come from."
Catering establishments look to locally source produce to ensure that sustainable and ethical food is available to their consumers - as well as supporting local businesses such as fish mongers & butchers. Serving consumers with locally sourced ingredients is a great way to improve food quality as well as aiding the environment and local economy. Many chefs are already involved in this locally sourced philosophy, taking responsibility for their ecological footprint, and making big strides in introducing more sustainable practices into their restaurants. Head Chef at The Wild Rabbit, Nathan Eades is just one of many that uses organic ingredients, picked fresh each morning, alongside foraged and locally sourced produce.
When sourcing food from local businesses, especially meat & fish, it is important that quality cuts aren't wasted. Last year we had the honour of speaking to professional chefs who gave tips & tricks on how to slice & prepare meat and fish like an expert - using Samura chef knives that were awarded to them during the finals of The National Chef of The Year.
Finalist Chef Fraser Bruce showed off his knife skills with a Samura Damascus Chef Knife. One tip he swears by is to always keep your knife sharp - a no-brainer when using Samura Knives! The quality of Samura knives have been tested by hundreds of kitchen chefs and cooking enthusiasts.
Which fine dine tabletop concept/trend is one you'll be introducing to your table setting?
Continental Chef Supplies have recently put together a Brand-New Catalogue full of fine-dining products which will enhance food presentation, whilst tackling some of the challenges of operating in the current conditions. Download for more tableware inspiration.
Leave a comment