Small servings are becoming a big trend - whether it's appetisers, sides or tasting dishes.
The Trend
For consumers, appetisers are easier on the wallet and two can be combined to make a meal. What’s more, they offer diners an opportunity to explore new flavours and ingredients without having to commit to a full meal.
As a result an increase in the number and variety of appetisers on menus is one of the hottest trends on the restaurant scene. And this trend towards small servings has implications for the tableware products they’re served on.
Side dishes are also growing in importance as a key menu category, combining as they do both proven customer appeal and the ability to support premium pricing. The versatility of side dishes also encompasses everything from a la carte selections to adding value to main courses.
Health-conscious consumers have also been driving this trend by ordering a variety of delicious sides and down-sizing the main meat dish. Ordering smaller servings is a good way to control portions with fewer calories and as a result, healthier dining choices. And, in a challenging economy, anything that offers more variety for less cost will inevitably prove popular.
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Ethnic Influences
The rise in ethnic influences, regional dishes and fresh seasonal ingredients are also influencing the trend. From an operator’s point of view appetisers and sides also have their advantages. They are often quicker and less costly to prepare than traditional main courses and as the first items shown on the restaurant menu they provide a lower risk opportunity to experiment and make a real statement with newer and more adventurous on-trend offerings.
As these new eating patterns gain popularity, finding attractive and innovative ways to serve small servings to their best advantage is vital. And the good news is that tableware and glassware choices now feature a wide range of sizes and styles to suit this trend for all things small.
There are a plethora of miniature tabletop items available for serving appetisers, sides and desserts, while glassware producers are introducing small-sized martini glasses, retro soda fountain-style glassware and classically styled cocktail glasses. Mini glasses are perfect for serving shots, offering tasting samples and even for serving cocktails and mocktails.
We’ve put together a selection of small but perfectly formed items which we hope will inspire you to downsize this summer.
Shop The Trend
BJ564 Scape Oval Bowl Clear, 5", 12.5cm - £23.16 (case of 12)
DE961 Artesa Mini Serving Watering Can, 10cm - £5.50
BI853BL Artisan Ocean Stacking Conical Bowl, 4.3” , 11cm - £17.70 (case of 6)
BI853GY Artisan Pebble Stacking Conical Bowl, 4.3” , 11cm - £17.70 (case of 6)
BI853R Artisan Ember Stacking Conical Bowl, 4.3” , 11cm - £17.70 (case of 6)
BI853CR Artisan Coast Stacking Conical Bowl, 4.3” , 11cm - £17.70 (case of 6)
DG110 Black Serving Fry Basket, 12.5 x 10 x 8.5cm - £7.41
DG108 Black Serving Fry Basket, 10 x 8 x 7.5cm - £6.75
DG112 Black Round Serving Fry Basket, 9.3 x 9cm - £6.86
CD933 Mason Jar Glasses, 35cl 4½oz - £3.20 (case of 4)
CD932 Acacia Paddle Holds 4X Jars, 43 x 10 x 1.5cm - £5.95
BJ908 Illogical Melamine Frying Pan, 3¾ x 1½" - £25.02 (case of 6)
BJ909 Illogical Melamine Frying Pan, 3¼ x 1¼", 4oz - £19.14 (case of 6)
BJ910 Illogical Melamine Frying Pan, 2¾ x 1"- £11.52 (case of 6)
BJ912 Karma Melamine Round Two-Tone Bowl, 4¼ x 25/8" - £29.58 (case of 6)
BJ913 Karma Melamine Rectangular Two-Tone Plate, 33cm - £110.52 (case of 6)
BJ915 Slate Salt Dish Veined, 7cm(d) 2.7 x 2.7" - £77.94
BJ914 Slate Butter Plate Veined ,16 x 11cm - £47.90
BI834WH Crème Miniatures Scoop Bowl, 8.8 x 4.3cm - £21.60 (case of 12)
BI836BK Crème Noir Miniatures Curved Bowl, 8.5 x 3.5cm - £33.60 (case of 12)
BI839WH Crème Miniature Cube, 5.9 x 4.9cm - £21.60 (case of 12)
For more information on the latest culinary trends, visit our dedicated Trend Set website, and view all of the featured products in the digital copy of this article
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15 March 2024
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