The Americas
Super Bowl party food cost remains steady
The Super Bowl final, between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, on 9th February in New Orleans, Louisiana, ranks among the top food holidays in the US. Across the nation, people will host Super Bowl parties with friends and family indulging in game food, such as chicken wings, pizza and chips. According to the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute, the cost of a Super Bowl party for 10 people comes in at an average $139, with no change from last year’s price despite inflation and shrinkflation being a feature of the past year. However, Super Bowl menu planners may have to be flexible; the price of the perennial favorite chicken wings has increased by 7% in the last year.
Threat of tariffs spooks the markets
As the world adjusts to a new trading environment with the looming threat of tariffs, global drinks company Diageo has warned that it could experience a $200m loss in the second half of the year should the US administration carry through with the 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. These have been delayed by 30 days and the global producer of drinks including Guinness, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff must hope that the situation is resolved. Diageo is the biggest spirits producer shipping to the US from Mexico and Canada, with brands including Don Julio tequila and Crown Royal Whiskey.
Asia Pacific
Functional snacking set to make an impact on APAC food industry
A surge in awareness of healthy foods among consumers in Asia Pacific could change the shape of the food industry in the region. Analysts at GlobalData puts the increasing demand for functional food products – essentially products with added nutritional qualities, such as fibres, vitamins, proteins and probiotics – down to an awareness of lifestyle-related diseases and evolving dietary preferences. The Trend aligns with the findings of a 2023 survey from GlobalData, which indicated that 62% of APAC consumers often or always consider how a product or service affects their health and wellbeing.
World’s best L’Enclume returns to Australia
Voted the best in the world by influential restaurant ranking La Liste in 2024, the British restaurant helmed by chef Simon Rogan will undertake another residency at The Bathers’ Pavillion on Balmoral Beach in Sydney this summer. L’Enclume previously welcomed guests to the same venue in 2023 for a sell-out residency, which saw a waitlist of 2,000 for the final service. This year’s stint will take place 16 July – 24 August. Those with pockets deep enough to cover the AU$590 per person should get ready for 10am on 13 February when tickets go on sale.
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Hamburg and Warsaw among new entrants on list of vegan cities
The 2024 ranking of the top vegan cities in the world, published by vegan food app HappyCow, features several entrants for the first time. London and Berlin are yet again leading at the top, but new additions to the list include Hamburg, which has experienced a 55% growth in vegan businesses in the past year. Based on a number of qualifiers, including the number of vegan restaurants and vegan-friendly businesses, the ranking, described as a “celebration of global progress in vegan cuisine”, reflects the continued growth of vegan diets in a world focused on healthier lifestyles and concerned about the environmental impacts of a diet heavy in meat.
Orfali Bros Bistro in Dubai best restaurant in the Middle East and North Africa
The Dubai hotspot, launched by Syrian-born brothers Mohammad, Wassim and Omar Orfali in 2021, took home the top prize at the fourth edition of the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, celebrated in Abu Dhabi. “This independent, chef-driven establishment continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, redefining modern Middle Eastern cuisine with its bold flavors and impeccable presentation,” said William Drew, director of content for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. The Orfali Bros was followed by fine dining Indian restaurant Trèsind Studio and Japanese restaurant in second and third spot respectively.
Tina Nielsen
