Food and Drink Innovation Report. in Partnership with M&S Food

Food and Drink Innovation Report. In partnership with M&S Food. How we’ll be eating and drinking in 2021

In Partnership with M&S Food

Peering into a crystal ball, post pandemic and Brexit, how do you imagine we will be eating? Surrounded by uncertainty, life has changed exponentially. Yet thanks to our YBFs panel, M&S research and polls, we’ve been able to get an inkling into how we’ll be cooking, eating and drinking next year. The essence of next year is summarised by April Preston, Director of Product Development at M&S, who despite a 30-year distinguished food career under her apron, believes consumer behaviour has changed more over these months than any decade. “Britons are reevaluating and reflecting,” she says on a Zoom call.

“From the culinary catwalk to the masses, the conversation is different to what it’s been for years. It’s no longer about quick trends. From banana bread recipes, to sourdough, home cooking is the most popular it’s been for half a century. There are massive shifts - lipsticks sales are down, eye makeup up, baking is an obsession, there’s a home cocktail making renaissance and there is a polarisation between people who are struggling and those who have saved pennies by not going on holiday, looking April Preston, for small indulgences.” Director of Product Development at M&S

In the eating out sector adaptability is key. But two Michelin star chef, James Knappett,is optimistic we’ll return to our favourite restaurants.

“People are already trying to break the rules just to be with each other and eat out together. There’s a real desire.”

Tuck in and enjoy our forecast.

Amy Thorne, founder of Taste PR, [Research is backed up by M&S sales data, global market Chloe Scott-Moncrieff, journalist researchers and data from the small businesses featured.] Lily Jones, bakery owner

INDEX

Introduction How we’ll be eating and drinking in 2021 02

Top trends What’s arriving now & what we’ll be seeing more of... 03

Hot in health Health Trends 05

Drinking for the future Drinks, what is changing? 06

Focus on cooking What’s cooking? 08

On trade Dining out - restaurant and hospitality are suffering from the pandemic but fast innovating 10

New on the block The heroes & legends coming to the fore 11

Closing comments Closing comments 14

2 The YBFs Food and Drink Innovation Report. In partnership with M&S Food. What’s arriving now and what we’ll be seeing more of

MEAL KIT MANIA FRUGoNOMICS VIRTUAL SHOPPING GOES MAINSTREAM

Restaurants are unequivocally In the three months to September From cyber imbibers to preekend suffering from the pandemic. But 2020, redundancies reached a shopping (that’s Friday afternoon they’ve been tirelessly morphing record high of 314000, an increase to anyone over 30), online grocery and reinventing themselves. A new of a record 181,000 on the quarter, sales are sky high. Latest stats home delivery service “& Home” according to the Office of National reveal online grocery shops went by James Knappett highlights how Statistics. Unsurprisingly,“waste up by nearly double at 92% (Kantar) innovative the meal kit has become. not, want not” is at the fore. over the last two seasons with Brits So customers can continue to enjoy Household food waste in Britain rushing to secure delivery slots and his restaurant offerings, Knappett, fell significantly in the early phase get their weekly food shop delivered a two Michelin star chef, is of the lockdown in April with just to their door. The highstreet has delivering his pioneering boxes from 14% of four key items - bread, recognised this shift isn’t going Kitchen Table in Fitzrovia, including chicken, milk and potatoes - thrown anywhere. M&S Food launched two tasting menus for two – seven away, according to research by products online through partners courses, £150; eleven courses, £250. environmental group WRAP, which at Ocado in the autumn, expanding Equally, in the mainstream, sales conducted thousands of interviews. Ocado’s range of over 50,000 of high-end cook-at-home dinner Pre-lockdown, an average of 24% products—doubling that of the next boxes are soaring. Last week, Nestlé household waste had been wasted. largest grocery retailer. Back on beat off competition to acquire marksandspencer.com sales of food a major stake in health-food-box THE JOY OF MINIMALISM - boxes, hampers, wine and online company Mindful Chef, while rival gifts grew also by a colossal 300%. BRITS WANT SHORT Gousto secured a £25m investment, pushing it into “unicorn” status, INGREDIENTS LISTS THE RISE OF CRAFT WINE valued at over £1bn. Goodbye home cooking and show off ingredients, the spotlight is on POUCHES & BOXES austerity cooking with simple EVOLVING FROM THIS TROPE, The wine box is rocketing faster ingredients. M&S’s partnership with than a supersonic spaceship. In THE FRIDAY NIGHT FAKEAWAY instagram sensation, chef Chris France, fuelled by the rise in virtual Baber (137K followers) has been a Derogatory name aside, the apéros (virtual drinks) during particular hit because his ‘Feed Your fakeaway landed with a bang in 2020. lockdown, Nielsen reported a 43% Family’ recipes are under £12, with It encouraged people to try increase. At M&S, sales are up short ingredient lists for easy family rustling up their favourite to 40% year on year. Due to high mealtimes(posted on social, on takeaways at home. “We can see demand, 1.5 litre pouches coined marksandspencer.com and available DIY food kits and food prepped kits by punters as “bagnums” have as recipe cards in stores). becoming more popular than ever been launched. Four new wines Latest figures reveal the recipes before,” opine chefs and YBF judges have just been introduced. “Wine were viewed by over 7.2 million Khamisi McKenzie and Daniel pouches have gone up market: people on social and single posts Opoku-Baah, founders of Drums and as packaging technology has were saved over 2k times. Flats,“with the Friday night improved,” according to M&S takeaway being replaced by the buyers. The pouches are have 90% Friday night DIY dinner in some GEN Z ARE DIVING INTO less packaging weight than the households.” The high street is #QUARANTINECRAFTS equivalent in bottle. Back here, tapping in too, augmenting their start ups are quick to spot the offering of street food bites. New While renewing age-old crafts environmental benefits and storage innovation at M&S includes dim sum has been popular for a while among advantage of putting wine in boxes, for Chinese New Year celebrations, serious chefs.What’s changed is instead of bottles, have flourished. as well as a series of takeaway style Gen Y and Z are now turning Leaders of the pack include Bandit, boxes. their hands, relearning skills of Black Box and Jenny and François. yesteryears.Trending on Tiktok are https://www.banditwines.com/ hashtags including #cottagecore https://www.blackboxwines.com/ #butter #milkmaid #grandmacore https://www.jennyandfrancois.com/ #churningbutter #homemade TikTok and#selfsufficiency. So don’t be SEES CHURNING BUTTER AS A TREND. surprised to find vicennials GEN Y+Z ARE EMBRACING whipping up their own unctuous DIY FOOD CULTURE butter,diy hazelnut spread and

other indulgences.

GOING UP, UP, UP: POSH WAFFLES ARE 2021’s LIVE LOVE BAKE BANANA BREAD AND CINNAMON ROLLS Whether it’s therapy or ample amounts of time on our hands, the #waffle has shot past other treats, adage, “keep calm and bake on” whipping up 5 million likes (in has become a poignant rebuttal to contrast, 1.5 million for cinnamon today’s rolling news reporting global rolls) on instagram. pandemic and Brexit woes. Witnessing this emergence with joy is @FitWaffleKitchen now with Kantar data showed home baking more than 259K followers. Posh occasions grew 63% in the first four waffles couple high quality with weeks of lockdown. At the YBFs idiosyncratic flavours. Many are evidence of demand escalating is created as matchy extensions of everywhere from Baking winner’s their brands. For example, Sweet @lucie_bennett new autumn and Chick’s fried chicken and waffle winter baking courses at Limpsfield restaurant in Fitzrovia is in contrast Cookery School to Terri Mercieca, to Bob Bob Ricard who have founder of @happyendingsldn who launched Waffle & Bellini Hour with a has kick started a Sundae school luxy Truffle and Crispy Bacon Waffle. making mind blowing desserts like Richard Corrigan, the TV chef and hazelnut, caramel & apple bombe cooking legend has put on an Offal Alaska. Waffle on his latest opening Daffodil Mulligan’s menu. Reliably earthy but Over at M&S, the store’s first well executed it’s a potato waffle cookbook in a decade, with duck liver, glazed duck hearts, Cook With M&S, launched in May and chicken liver parfait. and saw sales of 50,000 copies fly off the shelf in a month. MARMALADE IS THE COMEBACK KID

Old trusty favourites are back and one which hitherto saw years of decline, Marmalade, has seen a surprise boon. Paddington’s favourite spread saw a sturdy climb of 14% year on year at M&S, with the bestseller Seville Orange Marmalade up 30%

+14% YEAR ON YEAR

4 Health Trends

THE PANDEMIC HAS FERMENTATION x FAKE MEAT FOOD & MENTAL HEALTH ACCELERATED COMBOS A SHIFT TO PLANT MATTER. BY 2025 WE WILL ALL HAVE Food folk will tell you fake meat Almost double (60%) of 16 to 29 TRIED PLANT MEAT is insipid, requiring marinating to year olds said their wellbeing is make flavoursome. Not so anymore. being affected by the pandemic Our expectations of fake meat have compared with 32% of those aged changed as more inventions hit the 70 and over. Feelings that things

market. Dishoom has bowled eaters done in life are worthwhile among over with its Vegan Sausage Naan the 16-29 year olds averaged 6.9 SALES 700% Roll Kit (available nationwide on @ out of 10, while for those aged 70 ON YEAR Dishoom). The vegan sausages and over it was 7.8, according to have a umami kick with fermented ONS this month. Food has become vegetables (beetroot, mushroom an integral part in happiness and of and onion) mixed with spices. Plus, course, sustenance. OVER THE COVID PERIOD, M&S’S PLANT KITCHEN by including fermentation with nutrient bursting veg, they’ve ticked FROZEN PRODUCTS VITAMIN DRINKING SHOTS TO three vital boxes: flavour, vegan BEEN UP A WHOPPING BOOM IN 2021 700% YEAR ON YEAR and gut health. https://dishoom.com/store/ 43% of 35-54 year olds are the most likely to cite reaching for juices and smoothies for vitamins Over the Covid period, M&S’s (Mintel, Fruit Juice, Juice Drinks and Plant Kitchen frozen products have Smoothies – UK, January 2020). been up a whopping 700% year on M&S has been at the forefront of year. Due to fears about climate innovation - and is the only retailer change, increasing awareness of on the high street to enrich ALL its health benefits, flexi-veganism is bread, bread rolls and sandwiches rising. M&S’s Plant Kitchen store with Vitamin D. Highlighting how cupboard staples were up 97% coveted drinks shots are, 80% of (e.g. dressings & meal pots), dairy consumers now adopting a “food alternatives were up 11% (eg. and drink as medicine” approach yoghurts & milks), desserts were up to eating, according to Nielsen, in 32% and fresh prepared meals response to the global health crisis were up 10%. M&S is not alone. Breaking news: 2021 will see the Unilever is increasing its annual launch of new immune support sales of plant-based meat and dairy shots at M&S, along with cold products five-fold within seven pressed juices with 80% veg – the years, hitting €1bn (£900m) by 2027. highest veg percentage in the The global plant-based meat market market by a long way, so this is a by revenue is expected to grow landmark. at a CAGR of over 18% during the period 2019-2025, according to ResearchAndMarkets.com THE NEW CBD? COPAIBA PEA PROTEIN & OTHER VEGAN PULSE PROTEINS

Copaiba - pronounced koh-pey-buh M&S’s first pea protein product - is the next cannabidiol. It comes Plant Kitchen No Pork Streaky without the regulatory baggage, Bacon launches now. In 2021, this according to Elizabeth Moskow, US pulse will be a hero ingredient 18% food entrepreneur. Derived from across the Plant Kitchen range THE GLOBAL PLANT-BASED MEAT MARKET IS EXPECTED the resin of the Copaifera tree with dishes including chicken-less TO GROW AT A CAGR OF and featuring an earthy, woodsy southern fried tenders and no beef OVER 18% BY 2025 flavor, copaiba is an essential oil steak bake. that shares similar properties to C.B.D. It is seen as a remedy for inflammation, chronic pain and anxiety.

The YBFs Food and Drink Innovation Report. In partnership with M&S Food. 5 Drinks, what’s changing?

TIK TOKERS’ WHIPPED HARD SELTZERS GIN USING GRAPES CHOC IS FLAMING HOT

Meet this winter’s hottest trend: No, it’s not a heartburn tablet, Gin made by winemakers will Whipped hot chocolate is BIG, it’s a trend from over the pond. continue. Italian Gin brand Ginato is thanks to Tik Tok making it modish Reluctantly, Berg believes this US pivotal, releasing the world’s first- with Gen Z. A chocolate cousin import is to hit Britain’s shelves ever Pinot Grigio Gin (notes of Pinot of the Dalgona coffee, young soon. The fizzy water with alcohol Grigio grape and Sicilian lemons adult drinkers looking for a treat - normally made from cane sugar with Tuscan juniper berries). throughout the pandemic, are - is sold in a can in the US. Insight turning to a simple holy trinity of company Kantar reports one in NIGERIAN-INSPIRED cocoa powder, whipping cream and eight British adults have purchased CRAFT BEERS sugar. a pre-mixed can to drink at home or An offspring is hot choc “bombs”. outdoors since March, so there’s a Following the increased visibility As of December 10, the viral has potentially receptive audience for of Nigerian cuisine, a growth in garnered more than 41.1 million hard seltzers if brands get their Nigerian-inspired craft beer views under #hotchocolatebombs offer right. The king of the cocktail such as the likes of and #hotcocoabombs. in a can, M&S Food will be launching Eko Brewery and Suyaman x Whisk, scoop, drop in a marshmallow its first own brand seltzers in April One Mile End collaboration. for explosive effect and voila. making it officially mainstream.

THE UNSTOPPABLE RISE OF ROSE PROSECCO IS CREMANT THE GIN SNOW GLOBE RECHERCHE

The Snow Globe, a light up gin M&S launched Conte Priuli Rose bottle, has become the most Prosecco and sales are soaring. successful product April Preston The fizz has sold over 20% more has ever launched at M&S. “This is than predicted and upon launch in top place at M&S food and drink, it overtook standard Prosecco in over chicken and bananas. It’s gone online sales. While Britain’s first bonkers.” Preston believes the ever rose fizz is arriving, thanks reason is, “it’s nostalgic, there’s an to The Emissary with the inaugural emotional connection, the gin trend harvest underway, Conte Priuli continues and it’s a great gift.” Rose Prosecco is the number 1 Stay tuned for new editions coming selling wine online at M&S. It has up in 2021. soldover 20% more than predicted and when launched and overtook ONES TO WATCH … standard Prosecco.The strict POSH PREMADES … IN TINS regulations set out demand the wine must come from one single Alternative sparkling wines is still “High end, good quality RTD’s harvest to produce a vintage wine, seeing significant growth in the (Ready to drink),” are one to watch 60 days of slow fermentation to market too, according to M&S, with says, bartender, increase complexity. Pinot Noir Cremant leading the way. Cremant entrepreneur and YBF drinks judge must be the only red grape variety. drinking has risen by a third among Monica Berg. From Jarr Kombucha’s Britons (a 30% increase, according fermented effervescent brews to VEGAN WINE to Nielsen 52 weeks w/e 28th June). Ryan Chetiyawardana’s Mr Lyan’s premade cocktails; most popular M&S has committed to having an being Mr Lyan’s spotless martini, entirely vegan own-label range

we’ll be seeing more of handcrafted on shelf by the end of 2022 – a UK premades. first. The retailer is making great progress, with 80% of its range now vegan-friendly. 30% CREMANT DRINKING HAS RISEN BY A THIRD ACCORDING TO NIELSEN

6 The YBFs Food and Drink Innovation Report. In partnership with M&SM&S. Food. A nation of budding #homebaristas

ALL THE GEAR AND EVERY IDEA

“With so many coffee shops closed during the two lockdowns and more people working from home, coffee drinking at home has undoubtedly increased,” says George Crawford, of artisanal coffee roasters Cupsmith (https://www.cupsmith. com/) in Hampshire. Cupsmith’s online sales have more than doubled since the pandemic. “We have seen an increase in people buying whole beans rather than ground coffee. Coffee lovers are investing in grinders and bean to cup machines because they know that’s the best way to make the best cup of coffee at home. We also see people managing their caffeine intake too .... it is quite normal to be selling both espresso and [high quality chemical free] decaffeinated coffee to the same discerning customers.”

BARISTA MILK GOES MAINSTREAM

In 2021, M&S is to launch Oat Barista, enriched with calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12 and perfect for barista style frothing, while the Chocolate Oat is enriched with calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12, delicious in cereal, smoothies and hot chocolate.

AND PREMADE SHOTS...

Allpress, who have launched Coffee IN 2021 Shots, an espresso-strength M&S IS TO LAUNCH OAT concentrate of the classic blend, BARISTA ENRICHED IN The Good Brew, and a versatile CALCIUM, IODINE ingredient to get experimental AND VITAMIN D in the kitchen. Each 500 ml bottle has enough for 15 shots, delivering flavour and complexity of a brew in a ready-to-pour format.

7 What’s cooking?

HOME COOKING IS AS BANANA SKINS CRAFT TUNA MELTS POPULAR AS 50 YEARS AGO

In 2020 37% of M&S shoppers claim With veganism on the rise and food It started in May when Bloomberg to have cooked from scratch more, waste on the decline, the banana reported that Reddit had recorded 41% baked more and 29% of skin is being discussed as the a 30% surge in mentions for the households ate together more. latest substitute for pulled pork. melt over lockdown, during which Lockdown has increased the number Its merits are it’s more accessible the Virginia senator Mark “Two Slice of at-home eating occasions and than jackfruit and it’s a byproduct of Man” Warner went viral with his the time to plan meals – set to something all Britons eat. instagram tuna melt tutorial. remain for many consumers looking Nigella Lawson has whipped up a As Bloomberg puts it: to WFH over the longer-term, which banana skin and cauliflower curry “One of the world’s great looks likely. (Post Coronavirus, how while Nadiya Hussain’s banana peel sandwiches is making a comeback.” could health & wellness evolve? burgers ultimately kicked off the IGD, September 2020). BBC Good trend. When making banana bread, Food saw its highest ever spikes don’t chuck the peel. FOOD SHARING JUDGES & in recipe surges in March. Cook it up with some onion, garlic, RESTAURATEURS IFEYINWA & some bbq sauce, stick it in a burger EMEKA FREDERIC OF CHUKU’S and you have pulled pork, pulled RESTAURANT PREDICT THE EGG SALES ARE CRACKING chicken,”says Hussain. NASCENT NIGERIAN According to Kantar figures, Brits INGREDIENTS GOING have tucked into bacon and/or eggs MAINSTREAM for breakfast on an extra 82 million occasions compared to last year WHAT ARE BRITONS UP TO OVER (up by 25% and 68% respectively). THE STOVE? “Eggs are so versatile. Once considered unhealthy, we now know they’re considered good for you,” reports Preston. “They’re also a phenomenon because of social CHARCUTERIE BOARDS media.” A NEW CANVAS FOR MILLENNIALS* GEN Z FORGET TRAD BRITISH You can thank @magsmeals, NURSERY TASTES, a TikToker who makes videos of PIQUANT PASTES ARE HOT herself creating truly beautiful meat-and-cheese boards for During the pandemic, Cook With her clients, for this. Her popular M&S storecupboard staples like fleeting flicks have inspired a pastes and sprinkles soared - up tonne of videos of people making 1.SUYA SPICE 300% YOY. Highlighting a shift in the charcuterie borders, tagged “It’s a traditional spice blend from mainstream, hottest sellers on the “Charcoochie.”#charcoochieboard Northern Nigeria and it’s rich in highstreet store are Katsu Curry is even a thing on instagram. flavours, including cloves, ginger, Paste and Harissa Paste. chillies and a peanut-based spice mix called kuli kuli as the base. MOVE OVER BASIL, It takes one’s tastebuds on a BRITISH BURRATA HELLO TARRAGON journey.”

Cue glamorous Simona di Vietri of La Delicate, creamy, perfect with 2. EGUSI Latteria in Notting Hill, where chicken and seafood alike, tarragon “These are melon seeds. Not from she works with more than 20,000 along with other herby and fresh the melons in the UK though. The litres of milk from Surrey. flavours such as coriander, egusi plant looks like a watermelon From there, it’s pasteurised and unroasted coffee beans, seaweed, but is bitter and purely grown for spun into stracciatella, burrata, liquorice and nettle are all making the seeds. When ground up, it’s mozzarella in shapes from braids appearances in home cooking, in used to make Egusi Soup, one of and balls to knots. part thanks to the vegan movement. the standout dishes on our menu, https://www.lalatteria.co.uk/our- Cooks are looking for fresh, often capturing the hearts of our guests story/ umami or acidic, flavours to enliven and in the media spotlight.” their palates.

8 DIRTY DESSERTS aka FRIDGE CAKES POST BREXIT, DECADENT PASTRIES SUPPORTING BRITISH

As lockdown has proven, sweet Keep the kids entertained has Views across the industry: treats help morale. With it has become the top priority. With it, come an team of hybrids, more family fridge cakes are on trend 1.The chef decadent than previous creations. across the British public this year – James Knappett: Mars Bar brownie has a cult seeing over 86,000 visits to the M&S “Brexit might affect the product following at places like Fulham’s recipe page and over 7,800 likes on cost of foreign ingredients, but I do Flavourtown bakery, as has M&S’s instagram account. not worry too much about it since Baileys hot chocolate cookies. I mainly use produce grown and https://creme.london has launched FROZEN FOODS sourced in the UK.” a nationwide delivery service with DOUBLE FOR CHRISTMAS cake cookies, biscuits with squidgy 2. The drinks entrepreneur moreish cake dough inside. Equally In November the Christmas frozen Monica Berg: “My concerns are outrageous, M&S Santa’s Yumnuts™ food collection at M&S is already less protection against harmful has just gone viral with broadcast up 50% on last year as customers practices or additives in foods – coverage on Good Morning Britain, planned ahead. Highlighting the food will be more “Americanised’ aka The Tonight Show and Ellen to name new appreciation we have for full of pesticides, antibiotics, GMO.” just a few, hitting the news agenda chest freezer. M&S offered an during election week, one of the entire festive food collection from 3. The Restaurateurs most critical weeks in US history. the freezer. Interestingly, Cook Khamisi McKenzie and Daniel With M&S ingredients have been Opoku-Baah: “The obvious impact hugely popular in 2020. Bestsellers is hospitality workforce and pricing. predicted to soar further in 2021 Whilst it’s always great to use local, include Cook With frozen herbs, or British produce. The honest truth including Thai herbs and chopped is, it’s not always going to be the parsley, coriander and red chilli. most cost effective, or even the 7,800 leading product in terms of quality.” M&S FRIDGE CAKE High-quality frozen produce is GAINED OVER 7,800 another focus, as is M&S garden LIKES ON INSTAGRAM peas were a top choice - field to 4. The author frozen 120 mins (we believe quicker Rosie Birkett: than Birdseye at 150 mins). “It’s going to be on the supermarkets to step up and make it easier for families who need more support - it would be good if the big supermarkets got properly behind LIQUORICE IN ALL GUISES British farming.”

Possibly the only foodstuff more WE’RE HEADING INTO A YEAR OF COMFORT, NOSTALGIA & 5.The Bar Owner divisive than Marmite, is the Ryan Chetiyawardana: A NEW WAVE OF ROMANTICISM latest ingredient to get a “Loss of talent as movement is renaissance thanks to Nigella. restricted, and as our creative When times get tough, escapism arts plummet we will become less PLANTAIN brings happiness. Which is why attractive to investment.” M&S has seen their mini battered sausages chip shop style boxes From dishes like Kelewele (kay-la-way-lay) from Ghana, spiced soar in sales. The love affair with fried plantain, often served with comfort food started a few years DUNCHFAST coconut bean stew or as a dream ago but it’s accelerated. accompaniment to baked chicken “Friday and Saturday night we’re Be it brunch or dunch, meals are seeing Britons are buying our and jollof rice, eaters will be seeing seamless since we began working more of plantain. Not only has mini battered sausages chip with at home with the kitchen next Bake Off star Selasi Gbormittah curry sauce as a treat,” comments announced his love for it on Twitter Preston. Nigella has returned to door for easy pickings. our TV sets, soothing those with but it’s increasingly searched on Breakfast is now at 11, a newfound sense of escapism recipe directories, a popular one lunch or indeed being Lerato Umah Shaylor’s recipe through cooking, while for many, baking is a newly discovered stress on greatbritishchefs.com. the evening. relieving activity.

The YBFs Food and Drink Innovation Report. In partnership with M&S Food. 9 Dining out- restaurants and hospitality are suffering from the pandemic but fast innovating

DRIVE THRUS, WINDOW HOLES HIGH TECH RESTAURANTS DAVID VS GOLIATH: THE FIGHT HERE TO STAY MEAN WE NO LONGER BACK FOR INDEPENDENT DEPEND ON FACE TO RESTAURANTS THROUGH TECH Drives thrus and window holes FACE COMMUNICATION appeared in a new form over the The independent app Big Night pandemic. No longer the domain of 3% of Brits would like the option to (https://bignight.app/) is supporting McDonalds, restaurants realised have a fully personalised menu when restaurants while fast becoming the future of dining was through the dining out obligatory app for food lovers. panes. Now Dan Kenny of Brighton’s 48% of Brits are willing to hand their Platform co-founder Charlie Mellor, The Set has launched Five Star data to restaurants in exchange for who runs the Laughing Heart Kebabs, serving directly from the more personalised service restaurant, wants it to be like real kitchen window. Meanwhile, bakery 44% of customers say their biggest restaurant service, from training the Dusty Knuckle has repurposed a complaint is waiting too long to pay staff to scaling the food. Not only milk float to sell their bread. the bill did his crowd funding hit its target The three most popular reservation in 24 hours, attracting over 66 channels are owned by restaurants investors and £273K, but it’s giving 20% of customers would like delivery a makeover with note- card-less payment options like perfect menus, fair pricing and Apple Pay or Venmo Current restaurants on the app From big hospitality. (evenRooms include Mangal 2, Quo Vadis, commissioned YouGov PLC – a third Luca, Koya and more. Other tech party, professional research and restaurant supporters are using consulting organization – to poll the include Dishpatch; Plateaway, Pezu and Restokit. OF CUSTOMERS WOULD LIKE views of 2,017 adults who agreed to CARD-LESS PAYMENT OPTIONS take part. Fieldwork was undertaken online between 4–6 October, 2019. IT’S OFFICIAL CHAMPAGNE ROBOTS ARE HERE

M Restaurants (mrestaurants. 44% co.uk) are leading the charge with the introduction of androids to serve diners throughout the festive period as an innovative way to interact with customers in the OF CUSTOMERS’ BIGGEST COMPLAINT safest way possible. IS WAITING TOO LONG TO PAY THE BILL Champagne Robots - named Bailey and Sage - will visit tables, offering a menu by both glass and bottle including Veuve Clicquot and Dom Perignon. 48%

OF BRITS WOULD HAND THEIR DATA TO RESTAURANTS AND IT’S A GOODBYE TO...

Small sharing plates. “First you order a few and you realise they are utterly small and don’t fill you up, in the end the bill is probably twice as high and you are still hungry. I would much rather a hearty main course OF BRITS WOULD LIKE TO AN OPTION OF that is a little more expensive but FULLY PERSONALISED MENU worth it,” says Kitchen Table’s WHEN DINING OUT James Knappett.

10 The YBFs Food and Drink Innovation Report. In partnership with M&SM&S. Food. Food sharing judge & author, Melissa Hemsley’s chefs to watch

FOOD SHARING JUDGE & NEW GLOBAL FLAVOURS AUTHOR MELISSA HEMSLEY’S CONTINUE TO BE CHERISHED CHEFS TO WATCH Imad Alarnab of Imad Syrian Of what we’re eating now, Khamisi Kitchen, McKenzie and Daniel Opoku-Baah opening in London’s Kingly Court on co-owners of Drums & Flats (www. Carnaby St. drumsandflats.co.uk) say, He’s crowdfunding now. “Following the summer’s He has raised £250K for refugees re-emergence of the Black Lives alone. Matter movement in the UK, which https://imadssyriankitchen.co.uk/ in turn lead to more light deservedly being shone on black owned food Asma Khan and her new restaurant business, more people who haven’t at 2a Garrick Street. tried food from, or influenced by the “I love her all female team. This will African, and Caribbean diaspora, be a trend moving forward. now maybe will. This opens the Head chefs and businesses pushing public up to trying a whole range of kitchen staff forward, those who different cuisines, foods, spices and don’t have insta account and don’t pairings. With more attention now go to glam awards,but are brilliant on them, there’s a chance for more and deserve more recognition.” people to give it a go.” https://www.darjeeling-express. com/asmakhan PAN AFRICAN From Zoe Adjonyoh to YBF Food Douglas McMaster’s Silo. Sharing winners Ifeyinwa and Emeka “I’m a fan of waste free. Frederick of Chuku’s Nigerian tapas He’s pivoted to a wine bar sharing (https://www.chukuslondon.co.uk/) tapas and set menu and and new restaurant Akoko (akoko. that’s interesting.” co.uk) in Fitzrovia, Food Heroes https://silolondon.com/ Judge Rosie Birkett says, “I think we’ll see much more coming to Comfort and Joy Meal takeaway the fore in terms of pan-African service by Ravinder Bhogal ingredients and cuisine, thanks to at Jikoni. “It’s beautiful and in these influencers.” thoughtful packaging, compostable recycling. MEXICAN FINE DINING Packaging will be important in 2021”. YBF winner Santiago Lastra’s https://www.jikonilondon.com/ recently opened Kol (https:// kolrestaurant.com) is the restaurant to watch, putting an innovative spin on Mexican food with the best British ingredients. After a tough start in the autumn’s lockdown, Lastra is pushing on with a punchy menu that’s wowing food folk. Dishes to make a b-line for include seared lamb tostadas with guajillo mayonnaise and chocolate & mezcal tamales, toasted corn husk ice cream and sea buckthorn.

REGIONAL CHINESE YBF Food Heroes judge Rosie Birkett cites the impact of regional restaurants like Master Wei and X’ian impression, and the impact of people like Pippy Eats.

11 The heroes & legends coming to the fore

SMALL NAME DISTILLERIES

10,000 M&S SUPPORTS OVER 10,000 FARMERS AND PRODUCERS ACROSS THE UK

ZOE ADJONYOH

Zoe is a chef and cookbook author, but also is on a mission to decolonise the food industry and Ryan Chetiyawardana is effusive food media, and has been sharing about Capreolus distillery some enlightening content and (http://capreolusdistillery.co.uk/), conversations around the who produce Eaux de Vie is one marginalisation of black voices, to watch. Why? “Their attention as well as inspiring people to get to detail, and focus on quality and cooking with African ingredients produce,” he says of the small and opening her own spice shop. Cotswold business. Her activism around BLM as well as Leading the charge for natural setting up Black Book has seen her wines is Ben Walgate of Tillingham profile surge. Wines (tillingham.com) in East Sussex. They may spray copper and sulphur but they enhance things with teas including nettle and chamomile while essential lavender oil is used for its disinfectant properties.

BRITISH FARMERS

At M&S, they now support over 10,000 farmers and producers across the UK. Moving into 2021, the store is launching a major YBF WINNERS campaign committed to making bold DAPAAH CHOCOLATES’ pledges to protect farming and the environment for future generations RAPHAEL AND KWAKU DAPAAH to come. This will be amplified “They are on a mission to become a by a TV campaign (this year’s globally recognised luxury chocolate reached 3.5 million UK households), brand hailing from Ghana, where highlighting key suppliers across 20% of the world’s cocoa comes the UK and the quality and from,” say YBF judges, Ifeyinwa and provenance of their produce. Emeka Frederick of Chuku’s. “And they aim to do so ethically, RAVNEET GILL engaging in direct trade with cocoa farmers to ensure they’re paid a fair She is the pastry queen, and uses wage. As cocoa farmers in countries social media in an engaging and such as Ivory Coast and Ghana push educational way. Her Puff School back against larger corporations online course did amazingly well seeking to exploit them, companies during lockdown and she’s a judge like Dapaah Chocolates on junior bake off. (https://www.dapaahchocolates. Judge Rosie Birkett concludes, co.uk/) are a welcome addition to “I think we’ll be seeing lots more the supply chain.” A bonus is their from her in coming years.” chocolates are vegan. 12 The YBFs Food and Drink Innovation Report. In partnership with M&SM&S. Food. Sustainability is the future

RECYCLED PACKAGING WILL BE WHY REGEN AGRICULTURE Matt Chatfield of The Cornwall THE NORM IS SOMETHING YOU’LL BE Project is mapping out the future for well raised meat. Don’t miss out HEARING MORE OF on Cull Yaw, Chatfield’s project deeply rooted in regenerative In 2020, M&S started trialling a “99% of our agriculture is broken” farming. He sells the meat at Phillip packaging-free, refillable grocery says Dan Cox, former Simon Rogan Warrens, the influential restaurant concept at the Hedge End and chef who now runs Melilot Farm, butchery in Launceston that supplies Manchester stores with over 44 who plans to eventually open a amongst others The Ledbury,Bao, lines of cupboard essentials like restaurant on the site. 28 Well Hung,Smokestak. pasta, cereals and dried fruit – Which is why regenerative farming, they’re continuing to test and learn although new to the mainstream, Dan Cox’s Melilot Farm, from these concepts to better is gaining momentum. the first Natoora Earthworks farm: understand how our customers https://www.natoora.co.uk/ want to shop refillables. What is it? inside-natoora/farming/melilot.php The term describes farming FROM LAST practices that help the Hodmedod’s British YEAR’S SEAGANISM … environment, reverse climate Pulses and Grains; PRAWNCUTERIE IS BORN change by rebuilding soil nutrients. https://hodmedods.co.uk It’s increasingly discussed as a FOR 2021 significant part of the future of Suffolk’s agroforestry hub in Suffolk, farming. Healthy soil is a carbon Wakelyns; http://wakelyns.co.uk As the mangroves swamps sink, storing a vast amount of become increasingly diminished carbon withdrawn from the from intensive prawn farming AND FINALLY, atmosphere by plants via WE PREDICT KINDNESS & for the Western stable, Great photosynthesis. Studies have also COMPASSION SPEARHEADING British prawns has the world’s first shown that healthier soils are more sustainable land-based aquaculture resistant to both drought and MANY 2021 START UPS farm, growing tropical prawns, in erosion from heavy rainfall. Animals the UK. The Scottish prawns aim are an integral part of regenerative One start up leading the charge to meet growing UK consumer farming too. For example, dairy is UK Harvest. A not-for-profit demand for regional and local food farms with improved animal welfare perishable food rescue operation, production. standards show significantly higher it collects quality excess food from https://greatbritishprawns.com/ milk production and milk quality. commercial outlets and delivers it, direct and free of charge, to FARM-TO-TABLE MORE charities. Admirably they provide PREVALENT THAN EVER THE FARMERS OF THE FUTURE much needed assistance to vulnerable people, collecting surplus food from all types of As the mangroves swamps food providers, including fruit and become increasingly diminished vegetable markets, supermarkets, from intensive prawn farming hotels, wholesalers, farmers, for the Western stable, Great stadiums, corporate events, British prawns has the world’s first catering companies, shopping sustainable land-based aquaculture centres, delis, cafes, restaurants, farm, growing tropical prawns, in film and TV shoots and boardrooms. the UK. The Scottish prawns aim https://www.ukharvest.org.uk/ to meet growing UK consumer demand for regional and local food Streetsmart (https://streetsmart. production. org.uk/) is another such initiative. https://greatbritishprawns.com/ Stellar chefs such as Angela YBF veg winner Hartnett have signed up. Punters Calixta Killander of Flourish pay £1 extra to their bill, which Produce: https://www. goes towards people living on flourishproduce.co.uk/the-farm the street. These enterprises are prime examples of community YBF Honorary finalist Fidelity philanthropy. With post pandemic Weston of Romshed Farm poverty hitting Britain, expect more producing sustainable meat: heroes in local communities, giving https://www.romshedfarm.co.uk/ back and helping those in need.

The YBFs Food and Drink Innovation Report. In partnership with M&S Food. 13 INTERVIEWS WITH:

April Preston, Director of Product Development at M&S https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/aboutus/food

Chuku’s Ifeyinwa and Emeka Frederick, Restaurateurs https://www.chukuslondon.co.uk/

Drum and Flats, Chefs and restaurateurs https://drumsandflats.co.uk/

Melissa Hemsley, Chef, cookbook author, sustainability champion https://melissahemsley.com/

Monica Berg, Bar tender, entrepreneur, industry leader https://tayer-elementary.com/

James Knappett, Two Michelin star chef of legendary fine diner, Kitchen Table https://kitchentablelondon.co.uk/

Rosie Birkett, Journalist and TV presenter https://www.rosiebirkett.com/

Ryan Cheti, International bar legend https://mrlyan.com/

14 The YBFs Food and Drink Innovation Report. In partnership with M&S Food.