Food For Thought: What We're Eating (and What's Eating Us) in 2022
Predictions for the new year
One thing that has become predictable over the last couple of years is that unpredictability has become entirely predictable. It often feels like we’re in an endless loop of on and off restrictions, closures on short notice, virtual everything, and we’re all learning the Greek alphabet whether we want to or not.
So while we’ve always loved to eat, food has become an even more important touchstone in our daily lives. During the pandemic we’re embraced home cooking and gardening, and during lockdowns our trips to the grocery store have been what’s passed for fun outings.
But what’s going to be on our plates in 2022? Here are my predictions:
Rising Food Costs and Supply Shortages
It seems like everything is conspiring to raise food prices and Covid-related supply-chain issues and natural disasters like drought, flooding, and fires are just the beginning. The price of a steak is comparable to a car payment and what passes for a sale price is what used to be the top end of the price range, even for basic canned goods. Canadian consumers are also about to see a surge in dairy prices thanks to our system of setting prices not by market forces but by agreement between government and dairy producers. The higher cost of milk will drive up the price of everything from your morning macchiato to your Friday pizza night.
The many factors around inflation are too complex for this space, but for a great explanation (using a banana as an example no less) check out this article by fellow Substackers at The Line (they are awesome, by the way!)
Eating More Plants
You would have to be living under a rock not to have noticed the exploding popularity of plant-based cuisine. While many people have not embraced the vegan ethics around the consumption of animal products, many people are trying to eat more plants, eliminating some or all animal-derived foods at least some of the time. The big food manufacturers have noticed and are both introducing new alt-dairy and meat replacements, and updating the labelling and marketing of their existing plant-based items.
Watch this year to see more alt-milk choices in the grocery store, including potato milk (yep… really!) along with those based on seeds and pea proteins. Whether they will overtake the popular almond and cashew based beverages remains to be seen, but they will open up more choice to those with nut allergies and provide more local food options for those of us far removed from the almond groves of California.
Also be on the lookout for new products including alt-seafood like “fish sticks” and “scallops” made from soy and other plant proteins from both the big players like Beyond Meat and store brands, and for social media viral recipes for artichoke, heart of palm, and banana blossom “seafood”.
Fermenting and Pickling
Last year had us getting dirt under our nails planting Covid Victory Gardens. We may still have a few herbs wintering on our windowsills but this year we’re going to know what do with those bumper crops of tomatoes and cucumbers. We’ll be stocking up on canning jars (maybe do that now?) and pulling out Grandma’s recipes for pickles, preserves and jam. Watch for more preserved items on menus as indoor dining remains shuttered and chefs figure out how to preserve leftover produce and restaurants pivot to ready-made meals and assemble-at-home meal kits. And even if you killed your sourdough starter back in 2020 (remember that craze?) you can still try your hand at making healthy, probiotic fermented vegetables with nothing more than a bit of salt and water. Check out my newsletter from last week for tips on getting started.
Comfort Food (Again!)
Your pants aren’t defective – the COVID 19 (pounds) is real. Take out, pandemic baking, “essential” wine and craft beer, and heaps of comfort food are making us dread trying on those office clothes again. Watch for recipes based on vegetables and legumes that still scratch the comfort food itch without breaking our bathroom scales.
Flavours of Asia
You aren’t imagining things – Korean-inspired foods are everywhere thanks to interest in K-Pop bands like BTS and the huge success of Korean dramas like “Squid Game”. Canada’s President’s Choice brand got in on the action in recent months with products like Korean stir fry kits, Dalgona coffee cake, marinated pork belly, and kimchi hummus (yikes!) which means that gochujang sauce from your local wing place isn’t far behind. Also watch for more products and recipes influenced by various regions in India, especially those touting the health benefits of spices like turmeric.
Dinner Parties
Predictions about the return of indoor dining (especially fine dining) is a bit of a fool’s game, but one thing we can count on is that dinner parties will be back with a bang as vaccination rates increase and Omicron flattens. Nearly two years of limited or few guests in our homes, even for the holidays, means that there is huge pent up excitement to invite everyone we know to the table for birthdays, weddings, Friendsgiving, Christmas in July, Festivus, and International Carrot Day (April 4th, apparently). Get your host gifts ready because the invitations will be flying!
Ghost Kitchens
Have you noticed a pile of new restaurants on your delivery apps over the last year? Places you can’t recall driving past or even hazard a guess where they might be located? Chances are you’re looking at a ghost kitchen. Ghost kitchens, also known as virtual kitchens or delivery-only restaurants, have no dining rooms or service staff. They often exist within existing restaurants and offer different menus specifically designed for the delivery and catering markets. Whether they are a ramen restaurant run out of a steakhouse, or chicken and waffles coming out the back door of your local Greek diner, ghost kitchens are an inexpensive way for chefs to test new concepts and offer a low-overhead entry into the market. Watch for new places to come and go, and if you like them, support them!
And before you go…..
If you, like me, live in a jurisdiction where restaurants are closed, have reduced capacity, or are limited to take-out and delivery, here are some things you can do to show your local businesses your support:
Call the restaurant directly to order for pick-up or delivery. Delivery apps may be convenient but they take a huge cut. If you order regularly set up a standing order for the next few weeks.
Buy a gift card for your favourite place and HOLD ONTO IT until the pandemic abates. A gift card is like an interest-free loan and it shows your confidence that they will pull through this.
Tip generously both at the pick-up counter and to delivery drivers. They have a tough job.
Like and share news, updates, and specials from your favourite restaurants on your social media. Word of mouth advertising is priceless.
Be a good human. Restaurants are working with reduced staff, often with reduced menus, and things may not quite be as usual. Patience, good humour, and kindness are never out of place.