{"id":12847,"date":"2022-08-19T09:00:40","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T14:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/blog\/industry-news\/gen-z-food-habits-and-influences\/"},"modified":"2023-06-08T17:03:21","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T22:03:21","slug":"gen-z-food-habits-and-influences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/blog\/world-food-drink\/gen-z-food-habits-and-influences\/","title":{"rendered":"How Gen-Z is Shaping Modern Food Trends"},"content":{"rendered":"

They\u2019re the first generation to grow up with widely available internet access and enter their teenage years with smartphones at their fingertips. The generation that asks questions to Google or Siri instead of their parents or neighbors. The generation that grew up in an increasingly diverse United States, with new brands and products reaching them via both in-person and digital marketing.<\/p>\n

Who are they? Generation Z\u2014individuals born between 1997 and 2012. While some of the younger members of this generation may just be developing their palettes, the eldest Gen Zers are making a big impact on culinary trends by sharing their favorite foods on TikTok, influencing their parents\u2019 buying habits, and launching culinary brands of their own.<\/p>\n

So whether you\u2019re a Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, or \u201cZoomer\u201d, it pays to know how one of the newest generations is shaping food trends, and how to incorporate Gen Z food trends into your culinary business.<\/p>\n

A Growing Concern for the Environment<\/h2>\n

Most members of Gen Z heard the term \u201cclimate change\u201d before they could walk or talk. As they grew to speak and then understand the world around them, they used their words to voice their concern for the environment.<\/p>\n

A 2022 Food and Health survey<\/a> conducted by the International Food Information Center (IFIC) found that 73% of Gen Z believes that their generation is more concerned with the environmental impact of their food choices than other generations. So what does this data point look like in everyday life?<\/p>\n\"Farmer\n

Members of Gen Z are likely to seek out products that are environmentally friendly, whether that means paying a few more dollars for organic produce<\/a>, seeking out carbon-neutral brands, or incorporating more plant-based meals<\/a> into their diets.<\/p>\n

This means that chefs and other culinary professionals could benefit from exploring not just how food tastes, but how it was grown or raised. Escoffier\u2019s culinary school programs may allow students to gain first-hand experience with food production through their Farm to Table\u00ae Experience<\/a>. During this experience, students can visit farms to get a taste of what it takes to bring food to the table. They may also have the opportunity to talk with farmers to better understand how to form relationships with producers and incorporate local ingredients into their meals.<\/p>\n

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\u201cFarm to table means a lot to me. One of the huge deciding factors for me to choose Escoffier over other schools was the farm to table section available to us here. Studying farms in Colorado was something I decided was absolutely necessary for my education. I didn\u2019t want to go somewhere if they didn\u2019t want to talk about it.\u201d*
\nKadie Sardo, Escoffier Culinary Arts Graduate<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Gen Z\u2019s concern for the environment also means that many of them are limiting their consumption of animal products. Even if members of Gen Z continue to enjoy steaks and cheeseburgers, many of them recognize that vegan diets produce lower greenhouse gas emissions<\/a> and require less land than omnivorous diets, which leads to an interest in swapping a few meat-filled meals with vegan alternatives.<\/p>\n

That means chefs can benefit from learning how to cook plant-based dishes that satisfy Gen Z\u2019s interest in sustainability as well as their discerning palettes. One way to do this is by enrolling in a plant-based culinary school<\/a> to explore the ins and outs of plant-based recipes, find optimal ingredient substitutions, and practice making dishes until they taste sublime.<\/p>\n

Ditching the Store for Online<\/h2>\n

Since Gen Z often spend their school days researching via the internet rather than referencing encyclopedias, it may come as no surprise that they shop online. But what may surprise you is that 35% of Gen Z<\/a> shop for groceries online at least once a week!<\/p>\n

This focus on online shopping means digital marketing is more important than ever, which opens doors for food stylists<\/a>, food photographers<\/a>, and other food marketing professionals.<\/p>\n

While the IFIC survey didn\u2019t ask participants about their prepared food purchases, online food delivery<\/a> is predicted to grow in the coming years. That means restaurants are smart to consider designing a delivery-friendly menu<\/a> and potentially partnering with food delivery apps<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A New Concern for Diet<\/h2>\n

Diet fads are nothing new. Every decade is marked by a new trend, whether that\u2019s the grapefruit diet of the 1980s, Atkin\u2019s diet of the 1990s, or the juice cleanses of the 2000s. However, Gen Z is bringing a new why to diet choices.<\/p>\n

People have traditionally turned to restrictive or specific diets to lose weight, but Gen Z shows that the reasons behind an individual\u2019s diet choices are often multifaceted. The IFIC Food and Health Survey<\/a> reports that Gen Z is likely to choose specific diets in an effort to improve their energy, sleep, or mental health rather than to lose weight.<\/p>\n

This trend is also echoing through other generations. While 30% of survey participants<\/a> said they chose specific diets in order to lose or maintain weight, 29% said they aimed to improve digestive health and 28% hoped their diet choices would lead to a healthier cardiovascular system.<\/p>\n\"Woman\n

Gen Z is also showing less interest in alcohol than previous generations. Reports have found<\/a> that Gen Z is drinking less<\/a> than Millenials did when they were their age. When they do choose to drink alcohol, they often reach for liquor rather than beer or wine. This means that more companies are churning out lower calorie, ready-to-drink cocktails, as well as non-alcoholic beverages like mocktails and non-alcoholic beers. It also means that consumers are increasingly expecting these options at restaurants.<\/p>\n

Since Gen Z is not only interested in how their diet will impact their weight but also their overall health, culinary professionals may benefit from learning more about nutrition and wellness. Escoffier\u2019s holistic nutrition and wellness<\/a> programs can give students the opportunity to dive into topics including nutrition, specialized diets, and working with clients.<\/p>\n

Explore How to Incorporate Gen Z Food Trends<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s hard to dispute Gen Z\u2019s impact on the culinary industry. However, they\u2019re not the only ones influencing consumer demands and trends. Other influential factors include media, current events, and popular chefs.<\/p>\n

No matter the impetus behind current food trends, chefs should know how to incorporate these trends into their cooking.<\/p>\n

Culinary school<\/a> can provide students with the opportunity to explore culinary fundamentals and connect with other people who eat, breathe, and sleep food! This combination can give students both the skills and knowledge they need to cook classic recipes and play with new dishes as well as stay on top of the latest trends.<\/p>\n

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