2. It’s all about the photo op
Rainbow colors, vertical desserts, smoking cocktails—Instagram-worthy food will accelerate in 2018, as operators capitalize on the platform’s knack to build buzz and traffic. Sterling-Rice Group’s 2018 Trendjectory names the “Objectification of Food” as a leading trend, as chefs compose dishes for “visual consumption for the camera lens rather than the palate.” AF&Co. agrees, stating “the more photo-friendly your food, the better." Colors that surprise are particularly appealing, such as purple cauliflower, black ice cream and millennial pink chocolate, as are special visual effects, like glow-in-the-dark doughnuts.