Keeping it Real in 2026
In an era dominated by AI-generated…everything, trend watchers are predicting a movement towards the real and human-centered. The gurus at Menu Matters recently announced their consumer need-state for the year is “Give Me Something Real.” What does that mean for F&B professionals? In Menu Matters’ words:
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The trendwatchers at Innova echoed a similar theme in their 2026 trend forecast, calling it “heritage.” The concept here is that foods with traditional methods, provenance and story – whether it’s your culture’s or authentically from another – delivers value and comfort in uncertain times. The good news for foodservice operators is that we are already in the business of keeping it real and human-centered. Hospitality, connection with friends and family, nostalgia and comfort foods, all of these can deliver on this consumer need and tend to be what we do best! To borrow again from Menu Matters:
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We see a strong place for pasta in this landscape. Especially products like Barilla Al Bronzo, with the added value of heritage, traditional methods and story built in. As a most-loved food, pasta can connect to just about every diner, and evoke memories, nostalgia, and comfort across a wide range of menu applications. It can also open doors to authentic regional Italian cuisine, adding some “newness” to a familiar base.
We asked our Barilla Brand Ambassadors for their thoughts on this – be sure to click over for the operators’ perspective!