While the dining industry moves quickly with increasing pressure to keep up with the changing trends, changes brought about by the pandemic continue to drive the eating habits of diners. Brunch is a well-established weekend alternative to breakfast or lunch, and these days, it’s about more than just sausage and eggs. Country clubs have been elevating the perfect weekend meal that appeals to a wide variety of members.
All On Board
A brunch board is a play off the more traditional charcuterie board. Instead of a large wooden board being filled with various cuts of meat, cheeses or spreads, a brunch board is filled with all of the best brunch foods. Sharable and easy-to-handle foods such as savory waffles, muffins and bagels with cream cheese, plus other dips or spreads, are perfect items to include. Add bacon, smoked salmon or lox, hard-boiled eggs and other side items like pickled onions, capers, radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes, berries and grapes to complete a table-pleasing brunch board.
Classic Comforts
As diners continue to deal with times of stress and uncertainty, they have found relief in comfort food. Comfort food remains in demand—brunch included. Chefs are using the best ingredients and techniques to execute simple, comforting meals that remind diners of better times. By adding a reimagined take, chefs are taking it up a notch with favorite comfort classics such as biscuits and gravy, pancakes, waffles and french toast.
Around the World
While diners are at times finding comfort in classics, they’re also exploring global cuisines. Chefs are now using more unique ingredients and flavors from different countries for items such as chorizo, falafel and breakfast fried rice. Chefs are moving away from sweet dishes and focusing more on savory renditions that incorporate umami.
Cold-Pressed Concoctions
Juice is growing in popularity due to new premium offerings such as cold-pressed and 100% juice beverages, signature flavors, unique fruit and vegetable juice blends, and juices offering functional and other health benefits. Diners are getting tired of the standard juice flavors, and giving old favorites a modern spin is one of the best ways to create new and enticing juice flavors while not losing the classic flavors. One of the newest trends in juicing is adding an extra kick with some adventurous flavors. Adding ingredients such as turmeric, chia seeds and ginger to juices like grapefruit, orange and pineapple can create a tasty twist on an old favorite. Additionally, orange juice offers a lot of room for creativity and blends such as raspberry-orange, pineapple-orange and blueberry-orange, offer a delicious way to spice up this healthy morning staple.
Hold the Alcohol
The non-alcoholic trend has been building for a while, but people are embracing it even more now as part of a healthier lifestyle. Dining establishments are now offering more complex mocktails with sophisticated flavors. Bartenders are looking to accomplish more with non-alcoholic beverages—and really push the envelope with flavor. These drinks are no longer simply a mix of fruit juices; they now feature an elevated eye appeal with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Plant-Based Preferred
As more diners continue to become health-conscious, vegan and plant-based offerings are higher in demand and becoming more attainable and exciting. Diners are cutting down on meat consumption and switching to other alternatives. The plant-based meat industry has gained popularity due to the creation and distribution of meat substitutes that taste like the original. With substitutes available that can stand in for eggs in both function and flavor, vegan eggs are becoming a popular food trend. The increased popularity of vegan and plant-based meals makes room for chefs to get creative by putting a spin on traditional brunch items in new and interesting ways.
Interactive Experience
Action stations offer an interactive experience for diners where specialty food items are cooked, carved or assembled to order for each individual guest. Action stations allow members and guests to feel more like participants in the meal, and because they can see items being prepared, they know they are getting something fresh. Members can also graze from station to station, allowing them to interact with one another and adding a social aspect to brunch. Action stations for brunch could include eggs or omelets, pancakes, waffles, yogurt parfaits or fruit skewers.
Members want the best dining experience their club has to offer, so it’s important to focus on the trends that make sense for each individual club, rather than offering too many selections. By staying up-to-date with current culinary trends, clubs are able to appeal to current, valued members while also attracting potential new members. Whether it’s a simple weekend meal or a special occasion, brunch has become a tradition for many members that only continues to grow in importance.