From bold, savoury, global flavours to comfort-food twists and snackable sips, 2026’s top culinary trends are all about putting fresh spins on familiar favourites. Infusing some of these trends into your menu can be an effective and affordable way to excite guests, boost profits, and create buzz without overhauling your entire operation.
The key to nailing these new trends? Having the right tools and equipment — and we’re here to help. Let’s explore some of the tastiest trends of 2026 and the tools you need to make them menu-worthy.
SWICY SHAREABLES
Swicy — also known as sweet + spicy — food is shaking up menus with mashups of maple, chocolate, or fruit with chili paste, gochujang, or tajin. These unexpected duos deliver mouthwatering combinations, perfect for bite-sized snacks and happy hour pairings.
For a swicy take on a classic, try Hot Honey Buffalo Tenders. These crispy bites blend hot honey and buffalo sauce into one savory burst of flavour the whole table will be talking about.
- Commercial fryers: Deliver large batches of perfectly crispy, consistently cooked tenders, wings, and other bite-sized snacks for large crowds and shareable menus.
- Sauce bottles & stainless steel bowls: Get precise, efficient sauce application and easily try new flavour variations without a lot of added labour.
PICKLED POTABLES
Savvy bartenders are reaching for kimchi, miso, pickled vegetables, and other fermented ingredients to mix drinks with deeper umami, complexity, and balance. With a slice of fermented pineapple or a splash of kombucha, you can revamp old favourites or dazzle customers with new ones.
Get your bar behind this trend with a Kimchi Martini. This pickled spin on a dirty martini swaps in kimchi brine and fermented radish garnishes for a bold, spicy cocktail that’ll be sure to get your patrons talking.
- Underbar refrigerators: Keep spirits, brines, and garnishes cool and close by, to make busy cocktail hours a breeze.
- Commercial blenders: Blend, strain, and serve smoother brines or bases faster, so staff can make consistent, flavourful drinks all night long.
GLOBAL COMFORT
Adventurous chefs are adding international flair to beloved comfort foods for bold, modern flavour. Layering in harissa sauce, curry-spiced aioli, or fresh cilantro is a quick way to add a little zing to classic dishes.
Explore this trend with Spicy Korean Smashed Burgers. Pairing a crispy-edged beef patty with gochujang mayo, kimchi slaw, and a slice of American cheese creates an unexpected twist on a familiar favourite.
- Flat-top griddles: Deliver that signature smash-burger crust order after order with the high heat and surface contact of a top-quality griddle.
- Mixing bowls & utensils: Keep stainless steel mixing bowls and plenty of whisks, tongs, and spoons nearby to quickly whip up sauces, slaws, and garnishes.
ONE-BITE DESSERTS
For the cutest take on dessert, top pâtissiers are leaning into tiny layer cakes, miniature cheesecakes, and other micro-pastries. These adorable little treats pair a bit of indulgence with customers’ growing demand for smaller portion sizes.
Serve up this trend with a Sweet Petite Flight, offering guests a Black Currant Cheesecake Bite, a Mini Tahini Chocolate Torte, and a dollop of Vanilla Bean pudding.
- Convection ovens & combi ovens: Bake multiple batches of bite-sized desserts faster, delivering better texture and more uniform portions.
- Bakeware moulds: Get consistent sizes, better portion control, and pristine plating even during the dinner rush.
