From functional food to eating like Regency era lords and ladies

Bridgerton themed parties… and other fantasy food 

Food from TV shows, movies, novels and computer games have long been inspiration for party themes, pop-up venues and one-off events. This month, we’re all getting hot and breathless (again) for the return of the Netflix hit Bridgerton, ahead of Season 3 dropping in May… which means tea and extravagant cakes and treats are IN.  

While the food of Harry Potter and Game of Thrones continues to spawn everything from cookbooks to interpretations of featured drinks, since 2020 the Netflix adaptation of the Bridgerton series of books has given us all a chance to revisit the art of high tea and Regency era fashions. But with the imminent launch of Season 3, the idea of living – and eating – like the streaming show has seen a whole week of Bridgerton events staged in Bowral (including picnics in historic Milton Park), Bridgerton’s The Queen’s Ball immersive events in various locations globally (in conjunction with Netflix), while various high-tea events continue to be inspired by the show, and social media from TikTok to personal blogs is rife with re-creations of the aesthetically pleasing foods from the series.  

Eat with Simir in Sydney is serving up Bridgerton pistachio mawa tea cakes, while Fig and Olive in Sydney’s Auburn has hosted Bridgerton-themed brunches. Meanwhile, the greatest compliment a high tea anywhere from Gunners Barracks (Sydney) to Collin’s Coffee House (Melbourne) can currently receive is ‘it’s giving off major Bridgerton vibes’, all while VisitYarraValley.com has a whole section dedicated to the places where you can recreate your own Bridgerton moments. Tea and tiny cakes are certainly in fashion.  

 French food the height of fashion in its Olympic era 

With the Olympic torch lit on April 17th and currently making its way to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games in July, we’re seeing an interest both in the food that will be served at the Olympics, as well as French cuisine generally.  

Olympics.com currently has their food vision up online – including their commitment to having two-times more plant-based foods on the menu and 100% French and sustainable meat on offer (reflecting ongoing global food trends). Volunteers will be sharing their food moments throughout the Olympics, with the goal of celebrating the ‘modern taste of France’.  

“Anyone coming to the Games in 2024 will be expecting to see incredible sporting performances, but as they will be in France, spectators will also be expecting good food,” says Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 President.  

We expect to see an ongoing increased interest in French food and cuisine over the next months, as well as a swelling interest in how Athletes are preparing for the upcoming games, including their food and diet.  

 Collagen is the current functional food trend and the ‘Botox of nature’ 

 While we know that health and wellness is an ongoing mega trend in the food space and that it’s important to take health interests into account when planning menus, we’re also neck deep in ‘functional foods’. Previous trends we’ve noted include heightened interest in protein rich foods and a divisive demonisation of seed oils, but this month collagen is the ‘it’ of wellness foods.  

“The rise in interest is incredible,” says Vladia Cobrdova, practising nutritionist and Jungle & Co gut health bar owner. “Everyone is talking about its uses and that’s not only in food products, but also in [cosmetic] creams and now even lip glosses. People definitely have an awareness of its benefits.”  

On the menu at Cobrdova’s Jungle & Co. you will find their Collagen Glow Smoothie, filled with pure collagen, berries, cacao, dates and almond milk. While in other venues you’ll find it in lattes and bliss bowls from Sydney to Paris. Trend reports from trendhunter.com point to everything from bone broth smoothies to spirulina blue dressings - with menus globally highlighting their collagen heavy dishes.  

Collagen is present in our bodies and occurs naturally in many foods, but the trend is to highlight its benefits as a functional ingredient.  

“Collagen acts like glue in your body,” explains Cobrdova, “it literally holds everything together and we all need that since we start declining in its production as we age. So, we should supplement that... I call it nature's Botox.”  

In Paris there’s even a beauty cafe dedicated to the ingredient – 48 Collagen Cafe. And the idea isn’t just a passing fad, it’s become so mainstream that you’ll find collagen coffee from Before You Speak on the shelves at major supermarkets.   

 Social trends:  

 Strawberry chocolates 

This trend is purely visual and plays on a classic combination. It’s not a recipe, it’s not a tutorial. It’s simply a close-up video of fresh strawberries drizzled in chocolate, proving some classics never go out of style, with millions of views.  

 Boursin cheese in everything 

Feta was the 2021 poster child for social media, but cheese-tok has continued strong with everything from whipped brie to cottage cheese desserts. The latest trend is creamy Boursin cheese (also tying it into our French food interests). And we’re doing similar things again, from pasta sauces to air frying and whipping.  

 Back to school lunchbox tricks  

When the school holidays are going on, we’re all cooking kid-friendly snacks to entertain the children. As the holidays end, we’re all desperately seeking tips and tricks that will make lunchbox-filling easier. On high-rotation right now are make-ahead lunchbox slices.