As we kick off the New Year, let's take a look at what industry experts are saying will be hot this year.  From food trends to ingredients, here are a few things you should check out if you want to stay on the cutting edge this year.

 

1.       Farm to Table Cuisine - This trend has picked up steam in the last few years and don't expect it to go away this year.  Consumers are continuing to be curious about how far their food has traveled before they eat it.

2.       More Seasonal Menus - Most large hotels change their menus once or twice a year, but this year, think about changing your menu more often.  By using only seasonal ingredients, you'll actually save money.

3.       Small Portions - What started out as a trend about consuming fewer calories takes on new meaning in a down economy.  Look for many menus to include sharable items from appetizers to dessert.

4.       Flexible Meal Times - More hotels are starting to realize that their business travelers cross time zones and may not be in the mood for the "correct" meal when you are serving it.  By offering items from all dayparts and staying open later, hotel restaurants can capitalize even more on their guests' hunger.

5.       Different Cuts of Meat - Flank steak or flat iron steak will continue to be popular in 2009 - the relative low cost of this tender piece of meat ensures it will be on many menus this year.

6.       Comfort Foods - Another holdover from 2008, comfort foods will continue to bea popular menu item, but not just traditional American favorites, like macaroni and cheese.  Stay ahead of the curve by putting ethnic offerings, like Asian noodle dishes, on your menu.

7.       "Real" Food - Now that even fast food restaurants are touting their "real" ingredients, diners expect this to be the norm at more upscale venues.