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Insights Lab:
Our Food Insight Deep-Dives

Gen Z Food Trends 2026-2027
Discover and harness Gen Z food trends to future-proof your business
Food Trend to Food Concept: Asian-Inspired Chicken
In the first of a new series, Insights Lab takes you on the journey of food trend to food concept, with Asian-inspired chicken first up in the spotlight
New York Food Trends Safari: Five inspirational takeaways from the Big Apple
Insights Lab by Egg Soldiers returns from another globe-trotting food safari, this time tackling the amazing food scene in New York, with the team somehow whittling things down to reveal five of its top food takeaways
Easter 2024/25: Three innovation thought-starters for UK product development
Stemming from 2024 food trend movements, Egg Soldiers identifies three potential hotspots to consider for NPD teams looking ahead to Easter 2025
Christmas 2023: UK Restaurant Menu Trends Report
Discover the key formats, cuisines, ingredients, styles and flavour combinations being harnessed by UK chefs for 2023 Christmas food and drink offerings
Insight Snapshot: Decadent Tarts
Classic British tarts and French-style tortes are all the rage, with a broadening range of filling and topping combos keeping formats fresh
Insight Snapshot: Marvellous Mussels
In this Insight Snapshot, the team spotlights three creative examples of mussel magic from both the UK and US for use as thought-starters for new menu development.
Beyond Burgers: Three talking points from lunch at Supernova, Soho
Insights Lab tackles smash burgers at the smash-hit Supernova in London's Soho, with the power of singular formats and hotel design nods both key takeaways
UK Snacking Innovation: Five trend focus areas for 2023/24 product development
Insights Lab explores the ongoing evolution of modern snacking trends in the UK, highlighting five potential hotspots for product innovation for food teams going into 2024
Hotel Dining Insights: How to prepare your food offer for the future
Insights Lab's Kateline Porritt was a guest speaker at the Annual Hotel Conference last month, with our Head of Trends spotlighting how hotel operators can negotiate the financial crisis and create successful dining concepts that elevate overall experiences
Insight Snapshot: Zero Waste Wizardry
In this Insight Snapshot, the team reveals three innovative examples of zero-waste food innovation from around the world as techniques broaden and interest grows
Interview with an Innovator: Georgina Irwin, Pasta Evangelists
Insights Lab sits down with Pasta Evangelists' Head of Commercial Development to discuss evolving omnichannel strategies amid the cost-of-living crisis, with the brand's new pastificio factory and the launch of 'Pasta Evangelists by Perbellini' in Harrods also on the agenda
Insight Snapshot: School Catering
In this Insight Snapshot, the team spotlights three food interest areas across nursery, primary and secondary school catering
Insight Snapshot: Smokehouse
Insights Lab shares three innovation thought-starters for 'Smokehouse' food concepts, one each from the UK, US and Australia
Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2023: Five innovative product spots
Insights Lab spotlights some of the brands and products that really caught the eye at the UK's leading artisanal food and drink event
School Catering: Three food focus areas for UK companies in 2024
Insights Lab heads to the canteen to isolate on-trend ingredients and formats across nursery, primary and secondary school menus, offering insight for UK contract caterers in 2024
Breakfast trends 2024: Five innovation thought-starters from UK foodservice
Insights Lab casts its eye over breakfast, spotlighting globally-inspired offerings, a simple on-the-go winner, and a new style of French toast for UK innovation teams
Insight Snapshot: Greek Flatbreads
Looking ahead to summer 2024? Discover Greek flatbread innovation in our dedicated Insight Snapshot
Halloween 2024: Three innovation thought-starters for UK food development
Insights Lab tackles early-stage product ideation for Halloween 2024, highlighting flavour riffs from Southeast Asia, next-level edible cocktail garnishes, and Day of the Dead specials as potential hot spots for next year
UK Pizza Development: Three action areas for food brands and operators in 2024
Insights Lab highlights three pizza innovation interest areas for UK food development teams to consider for 2024, spotlighting key innovators and delivering potential action points
Insight Snapshot: Sicilian Citrus Pesto
Discover the traditional Pesto agli Agrumi - a Sicilian-born pesto made with almonds instead of pine nuts, led by lemons
Asian BBQ Innovation: Three interest areas for UK food development in 2024
Insights Lab cooks up three Asian-inspired BBQ innovation areas for UK food teams to consider when approaching 2024 product development 
Interview with an Innovator: Paul Hopper, HOP Vietnamese
Egg Soldiers sits down with client Paul Hopper, founder of London’s leading Vietnamese grab-and-go restaurant operation, HOP Vietnamese, to relive our grand Vietnam trip last year and discuss his exciting plans for menu expansion and new HOP dishes
Still room for dessert? Five dessert innovation thought-starters for UK development teams in 2023/24
Egg Soldiers spotlights five eye-catching desserts from across UK hospitality amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, discussing evolving consumer perceptions and potential hot spots for 2023/24
Five new openings to watch as a new wave of Greek restaurants hits the UK
Egg Soldiers delves into the menus of five Greek restaurants that have caught the eye as the UK welcomes a number of new eateries looking to further establish the Mediterranean cuisine in 2023
What sandwich innovation areas should UK development teams focus on in 2023/24?
Egg Soldiers highlights five artisan sandwich showstoppers from across UK hospitality, discussing consumer drivers, new development opportunities and trend trajectories for 2023/24
Cost of Living Crisis: Three UK hospitality talking points from May
Egg Soldiers tackles three May cost-of-living crisis topics from within UK hospitality, with truffle troubles, mid-market chain questions, and 'bill shock' all covered
Street Food Trends 2023/24: Three Asian plant-based interest areas for UK foodservice
With UK street food trends continuing to evolve, Egg Soldiers' Insights Lab reveals three lesser-known, plant-based examples from Asia with UK restaurant menu potential
The Future of Coffee: Three opportunity areas for UK innovation in 2024
Egg Soldiers' Insights Lab casts its eye on future coffee innovation areas, identifying robusta-driven Vietnamese creativity, lesser-known beans, and koji-enhanced coffee offerings as opportunities for the UK market in 2024
Three ice cream trend action areas for UK food operators in 2024
Egg Soldiers' Insights Lab discusses three opportunity areas for ice cream innovation in the coming years, appealing to a broad, cross-generational audience of UK consumers
Food Innovation Safari: Amman, Jordan
Egg Soldiers returns from another globe-trotting food safari, this time discovering authentic flavours of the Levant in Amman, the capital of Jordan in the Middle East, with the team revealing three interest areas for potential UK restaurant dish development
Cost of Living Crisis: Three UK hospitality talking points from April
Egg Soldiers addresses three cost-of-living crisis topics for UK hospitality, with FPI food and drink inflation, OOH vs retail sales realities, and the price of fish all on the menu
Mouth-numbing Mala: Sichuan peppercorns in the spotlight as UK restaurants explore tongue-tingling spice sensations
With spicy flavour trends diversifying, Egg Soldiers gets to grips with Mala, the electrifying spice blend that's starting to make a name for itself well beyond its traditional Sichuan cuisine origins
Beyond Mezcal: Will Sotol, Raicilla and Bacanora be the next Mexican spirits to succeed in the UK?
Egg Soldiers explores the wider reaches of Mexican spirits, highlighting Sotol, Raicilla and Bacanora as new candidates for UK operators looking to capitalise on diversifying premium spirit trends
Three chef talking points from Smoking Goat Chicken Shop, Shoreditch
Egg Soldiers heads to Smoking Goat Chicken Shop, the Thai barbecue restaurant's month-long fried chicken transformation, discovering big, bold and comforting Bangkok street food creations
Three health and wellness trend focus areas for UK food brands in 2023/24
With health and wellness trends continuing to evolve amid booming consumer demand, Egg Soldiers discusses three food and drink focus areas within this space, outlining brand action points for 2023/24 and beyond
Food Innovation Safari: Vietnam Special
Fresh from a grand food trip across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Egg Soldiers highlights five interest areas for potential UK restaurant dish development
UK scientists cook and eat 'world's first' 100% lab-grown pork steak
UK-based food tech startup 3D Bio-Tissues has created what it claims is the world's first lab-grown pork steak made entirely from cultivated meat
Regenerative Agriculture: How the UK restaurant industry reacts to 'the future of farming'
Egg Soldiers delves into regenerative agriculture, the natural farming system that focuses on improving the health of soils and ecosystems, highlighting pioneers in this space and delivering UK restaurant action points for 2023
Third-culture cuisines: Meet the new generation of chefs redefining the idea of culinary authenticity
Egg Soldiers explores the exciting rise of third-culture cuisines around the world, dissecting definitions and discussing potential opportunities for future dish development in the UK
Empire Empire: Five launch dishes from the disco-themed Indian restaurant arriving in Notting Hill
Opening in March, Empire Empire will embody late 1970s Indian disco vibes and specialise in northwestern cuisines from across the old Punjab Empire
Three chef talking points from lunch at Straker's, Notting Hill
Egg Soldiers tackles Thomas Straker's debut restaurant in the heart of Notting Hill's bustling Golborne Road, with menu pricing, flatbreads and frill-free sharers all discussed
Food Innovation Safari: Nam Phrik, the Comma Chameleon, and Fight Club Fish Sauce
In our latest virtual trek across the world of global food development, we highlight innovative dips, drinks and desserts, with zero waste wizardry and nostalgic creativity catching the eye
Dumpling Shack’s spicy fried chicken restaurant Sichuan Fry launches in London Fields
Following two years of rigorous menu testing and development, Dumpling Shack’s Sichuan Fry London Fields restaurant has finally opened, with fried chicken coated with “numbing and spicy sauces and oils” the main draw
Discussing the rise of alcohol-free pairing menus in the UK
With low/no alcohol consumption predicted to rise a third by 2026, Egg Soldiers discusses emerging opportunities with alcohol-free pairing menus in UK foodservice
Food Innovation Safari: Bolo Bao, Blooming Onions, and Trivet's Tourtière
In our latest look at chef creativity on social media, we discuss broader Christmas dinner traditions, spotlight the power of flavour on the simplest of dishes, and highlight possibilities with pineapple buns
Hungry Donkey's Vori Greek restaurant headed for Holland Park
Vori is launching in Holland Park early next year. Here’s a quick dive into two of its launch dishes
Hong Kong French Toast: Brainstorming Beyond the UK Brunch Trend
Taking Hong Kong French Toast and broadening third culture cuisine trends as our starting point, we highlight five innovative dishes that could find favour on UK brunch menus in 2023
Five takeaways for UK restaurants from the FPI Annual Briefing 2022
Cost of living challenges, value for money perceptions and food trends were all on the agenda at the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index Annual Briefing 2022
Dorset restaurant Robin Wylde reacts to cost of living crisis by transforming into a bakery
A ‘wild food’ bakery will replace Lyme Regis restaurant Robin Wylde next year, with chef Harriet Mansell admitting it’s “not an easy time to own a restaurant” amid a cost of living crisis
Ingredient Watch: Three Ways with Kori-Tofu
With traditional Japanese kori-tofu making its European debut earlier this month, we spotlight three innovative dish ideas for the sponge-like, freeze-dried tofu ingredient
Ingredient Watch: Five Ways with Amazake
With koji all the rage in the development world, we cast our eye over amazake, the fermented rice-based sweet beverage that’s starting to make waves as we head into 2023
Craft burger brand Black Tap the latest US chain to enter the UK despite cost of living crisis
Despite skyrocketing operational costs and projected decreases in dining out, US fast casual and QSR brands continue to enter and expand in the UK, with Black Tap the next to enter the fray in 2023
Two ways Sons & Daughters wins from its cost of living price pivot
We highlight lessons learnt from gourmet sandwich brand Sons & Daughters’ 40% price drop in response to the cost of living crisis
Healthy Hedonism: Three eye-catching menu ideas for Gen Z
With Gen Z increasingly seeking visually striking yet health-conscious, sustainable food options, we outline three ways UK restaurants can tap into the trend and stand out from the crowd
Cost of Living Crisis: Zero waste set menu tactics for UK restaurants
With British diners forecasted to abandon à la carte norms in 2023, we look at ways of integrating otherwise-wasted foods as part of modern, affordable set menus
Christmas 2022: Four ways for UK restaurants to elevate festive menus
From creative food waste strategies to evolving plant-based possibilities, Christmas is a time for festive innovation, with Egg Soldiers discussing on-trend menu areas for UK restaurants
Three UK food trend talking points from the 'What's Hot' US Culinary Forecast 2023
The NRA’s annual ‘What’s Hot’ US food trend forecast has dropped, with Egg Soldiers discussing three potential crossover areas with the UK foodservice market for 2023 (and beyond)
Street Food Trends: Our top dish picks for UK restaurants in 2023
With roti canai named the best street food in the world by TasteAtlas, the Egg Soldiers team reveals their top street food dishes for the UK hospitality scene going into next year
Talking Trends: The New Wave of Nostalgia-Driven Comfort Food Innovators
Egg Soldiers explores the ongoing evolution of UK comfort food trends, from Michelin star-inspired fried chicken and soft serve to elevated late night takeaway fare
Inside Menus: Three chef talking points from lunch at Speedboat Bar, Soho
In the first of our new series, we explore the menu at Luke Farrell’s new Bangkok Chinatown-inspired eatery, with beef, zaep and the number nine coming up trumps at Speedboat Bar
Food Innovation Safari: Shio Koji Venison and The Godfather Burger
In the first of our new series on food and drink trailblazers from around the world, we highlight and discuss three innovative dishes that caught our eye on Instagram this month
Talking Trends: Lessons from the rise of Japanese food trends in the UK
Egg Soldiers analyses the evolution of Japanese food trends in the UK, highlighting four noteworthy lessons for future cuisine trend tracking
Fad or Future: Should UK restaurants explore butter boards?
Butter boards are all over social media, but what do we make of the viral food trend and it’s future UK foodservice potential?
Two Worlds Collide: Can affordability and extravagance co-exist in UK foodservice?
In our recent event in London with brand experience agency, I-AM, we discussed the emerging relationship between affordability and extravagance in foodservice, driven by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis
Four positive strategies for UK restaurants during the cost of living crisis
We highlight four creative ways for UK restaurants to positively pivot and encourage footfall as the cost of living crisis bites
Restaurant Tips: Extend the season to maximise outdoor dining sales
Egg Soldiers reveals three key strategies for UK restaurants looking to make the most of the warm weather this autumn
Insight Snapshots: Short & Sharp Food Intelligence
Our latest innovation - dynamic insight one-pagers on a specific food or drink topic, perfect for sharing internally and just the start of how Insights Lab can distil food insights into clear recommendations to help your business thrive
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