'A New Era of Innovation and Creativity': Three inspirational ways the food industry is adapting to the cost-of-living crisis

Earlier this month, Egg Soldiers' Head of Trends, Kateline Porritt, delivered an inspirational showcase of food industry strategy and innovation to kickstart Arena's Summer Event in London, spotlighting the many ways in which operators are adapting to the challenges brought about by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

It was an event to remember as foodservice and hospitality leaders from all across the country descended on Searcy’s 30 Euston Square for an afternoon of welcome networking and inspiring debate, with Kateline later expanding on her initial presentation with thought leaders in a lively panel discussion that explored the similarities and differences between sectors when it comes to innovation.

To follow up, we thought we'd fire out some of our highlights from Kateline's presentation for those of you who missed the show, with the cost-of-living crisis prompting bold food strategies and new avenues for creative thinking.

1. Simplified Operations

To adapt to the changing landscape, many operators are now removing costly items and trimming down menus while introducing selected seasonal options as a way of prioritising quality, consistency and experience.

Among the examples spotlighted by Kateline were LA-based salad bar Sweet Greens and its automated 'Infinite Kitchen' launched in June that aims to cut down on labour costs and improve the customer experience. She also spoke of the casual dining fresh pasta restaurant, Flour & Grape, which recently removed its best-selling truffle pasta due to consumer cost concerns.

Indeed, to simplify operations, some operators are also introducing new set menus and tasting experiences - a change designed to benefit both restaurant and diner.

With a contained menu, chefs are afforded greater control over dishes to optimise profit margins and showcase their best offerings, with 'zero waste' iterations also worth keeping an eye on as a way of improving restaurant sustainability credentials, increasing the value of lead ingredients, and fundamentally streamlining costs.

Importantly, with consumers increasingly conscious of their spending, labelled as 'bill shock' when paying up; providing upfront costs for a meal can mean greater confidence when dining out.

2. Diversifying Portfolios

With city-based UK consumers increasingly moving further afield following the rise of flexible working and rising rent costs, Kateline highlighted the moves made by operators such as Pret and Gail's in expanding operations into market town locations.

Such moves are a part of a wider diversification in offering seen across the industry to tap a broader range of markets, with multichannel operator Pasta Evangelists, with its home delivery recipe kits, takeaway menus, and collaboration with luxury retailer Harrods, a fine example in this space.

Kateline also spoke of motorway services, with broader food offerings, beyond the traditional coffee-to-go and fast-food concepts, increasingly adopted to meet evolving consumer expectations.

3. Food and Beyond

To deliver a truer sense of value to the consumer, foodservice operators should always consider factors beyond the food itself. Diners want to feel that their money is well-spent, with exceptional service and/or delivery an obvious yet essential element.

For example, Wild Honey St James brings fresh honeycomb to the table to crumble over desserts in front of guests, elevating occasions with a touch of personal flair.

Novelty and/or 'fun dining' aspects are naturally part of this conversation, with even uncomplicated riffs delivering big wins. Look to artisanal ice cream spot Vivoli in Florence, which has become an Instagram sensation and must-visit spot by simply reimagining the classic affogato, with its 'Gran Crema Caffè' a combination of Italian espresso poured into the centre of a cup lined with creamy gelato.

A huge thank you to Arena for hosting us this month at the Summer Event!

For more F&B trend insight from Kateline and the Egg Soldiers team, visit our dedicated hub through the image link below!