What Food Will Be Hot or Not In 2014

Got a favorite food that you can't get enough of?  Got one you can't stand?  So do the critic's.  And being a former restauranteur & foodie, I've added my two cents too.

Urbanspoon, the leading mobile restaurant discovery application, released the Top Dining Trends of 2013, a look at what foods and chefs will remain hot throughout 2014, and which will fade out

Based on a survey of some of the country's leading food bloggers and critics, Urbanspoon's 2013 Year in Review reflects what's HOT…and what's NOT,

HOT for 2014: The Cronut

I first heard about this during the summer and have yet to be able to get my lips on one, and they sound absolutely sinful. Come on local bakeries, I challenge YOU! The croissant/doughnut mash-up that grew to fame in 2013 is taking the top spot, followed by two other slightly healthier carbs – ramen and quinoa. The top foods of 2013 include:

Cronuts (39%)
Ramen (34%)
Quinoa (30%)
Brussel Sprouts (22%)
Anything smoked (16%)

WHAT'S NOT in food trends:

Critics have grown tired of foie gras 2013's vegetable du jour – kale. No problem with that decision here.  They're both down 100% in my book.  Oh..wait..they were never in it to begin with.

Food items on their way out in 2014 include:

Foie Gras (33%)
Kale (27%)
Octopus (20%)
Juicing (14%)

Meatless Monday is the trend that 33% of Urbanspoon’s critics say is barely holding on. Maybe it’s because 70% of the respondents said bacon is the food item that never goes out of style. (Hmmmmmmm Baaacon)  Vietnamese followed the weekly vegetarian-only day as a fading trend (20%), so don't expect as many new Vietnamese eateries to pop up in 2014.

Blazing the Condiment Trail

Sriracha's as the "hottest" condiment of the year, with 37% of those surveyed anointing it their go-to topping.

Reigning Celebrity Chefs

Americans can't get enough of their favorite celebrities and A-list chefs are no exception. Alton Brown , Mario Batali and Bobby Flay had strong numbers while 2013 also saw new stars, like Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond (14%), on the rise.  Anthony Bourdain (22%) and Gordon Ramsay (14%) made the list.  I'd have a beer with Bourdain but would beat Ramsay with a rolling pin if he yelled at me like that in my kitchen

Who’s out in 2014

Who are critics sick of seeing in the culinary world? Paula Deen leads the way with 60% of respondents, which should come as no surprise given her tumultuous year. Who follows in her footsteps?

Paula Deen ( 60%)
Rachael Ray (57%)
Martha Stewart (54%)
Guy Fieri (44%)