Jakarta, December 8, 2023 - After launching globally, Unilever Food Solutions launched Future Menu in Indonesia, a comprehensive culinary trend guide presented to inspire restaurants and business owners in the hotel, restaurant and cafe industry. Future Menu is based on research collaborating with over 1603 renowned chefs from 21 countries.
Presenting a menu that can answer the tastes and interests of consumers is certainly one of the focuses of business players in the hospitality industry. Over time, businesses need to update their menu choices or offer special and thematic menus that can provide new experiences for their consumers. This process has become a constant challenge in menu innovation and finding suitable ingredients. The presence of Unilever Food Solutions as a food service company is to provide inspiration and support the menu creations process supported by 250 professional chefs around the world. Future Menu, which presents 24 menus, is one of our efforts to support chefs and business people in Indonesia to present innovative menu concepts and creations by utilizing various food ingredients.
Gemita Pasaribu, Managing Director of Unilever Food Solutions Indonesia said, "The culinary industry is currently one of the most competitive industries and is getting a lot of attention in Indonesia. The presence of Future Menu provides inspiration through a variety of recipes, cooking techniques, and exploration of food choices so that restaurant operators can do more menu creations for their loyal consumers."
Globally, Unilever Food Solutions presents eight Future Menu trends namely: Modern Comfort Food, Irresistible Vegetables, Wild & Pure Flavors, Flavor Contrast, Feel Good Food, The New Sharing, Mindful Proteins and Low Waste Menus. For Indonesia, we focus on three specific trends taken from the list above but customized to the local perspective:
- 1. Modernized Comfort Food
The transformation of classic food into modern dishes. Of the various culinary trends that have emerged, comfort food or what we know as home-cooked dishes are still the top choice. Over the years, the story behind the taste, texture, color, and character of food that not only fills you up but also provides a source of warmth and comfort for the consumer.
To make it more interesting, comfort food dishes can be made more modern and creative through innovation: from the ingredients to the cooking techniques. Such as one of the Future Menu 2023 dishes: Seblak Fung Zau, or presenting seblak, a classic Indonesian dish, as a modern culinary dish featuring the soft texture combined with the aroma of kencur as the seblak seasoning. Kencur itself is a tropical plant that thrives in Indonesia, often used as an aromatic spice in Indonesian food and herbal medicine.
- 2. Feel Good Food
The Feel Good Food trend from Unilever Food Solutions presents the innovation of classy dishes that not only pay attention to taste, but also to the healthy balance of taste and nutrition. One of the Indonesian classics that we transformed in the Feel Good Food trend is fried rice. With the addition of fiber-rich jali (Barley), beetroot, and cakalang, the appetizing Beetroot Cakalang Fried Rice dish can be made using healthier alternative ingredients.
Chef Devina Hermawan, one of the renowned chefs who collaborated in the launch of Future Menu, said, "With the increasing number of culinary menu choices that can be enjoyed, people are now also increasingly concerned about the balance between the enjoyment of the taste of a dish and its nutritional content. By exploring alternative ingredients that are lower in saturated fat, leaner and higher quality cuts of meat, and lighter sauces, this concept can answer consumers' desire for flavorful and healthier dishes."
- 3. The New Sharing
This trend is inspired by the tradition of togetherness that is very close to the Indonesian culture. There are various moments of togetherness associated with food menus that are enjoyed together, from gatherings with family, to memorable moments with close friends. One example of a dish presented from this Future Menu inspiration is Gorengan Platter, that offers a culinary sensation of crunchy dishes such as golden egg fried banana, bakwan nori, and cipokki (cireng tteokbokki). The New Sharing is not only an affordable food option, but also a great option for enjoying meals together.
Chef Gungun Handayana, as Executive Chef of Unilever Food Solutions also gave his views on the importance of Future Menu, "The food we eat can be a source of happiness energy which certainly affects how we perform in carrying out daily activities. So it is important to pay attention to the quality of the food, how it is processed and served to create a pleasant dining moment."
During the Future Menu launch in Indonesia, more than 200 chefs and UFS partners had the opportunity to take part in a "Culinary Tasting Event" session packed with interesting events presented by UFS Indonesia's executive chef Chef Gungun Hendrayana and three prominent Indonesian culinary experts: Chef Chandra Yudasswara, Chef Devina Hermawan, and Chef Degan Septoadji. The event started with a Product Showcase where the chefs presented the ingredients to be used, shared recipes and tips for making the dishes. Participants were then invited to enter the Breakout Rooms Experience for a unique tasting experience, as well as an interactive culinary session of the three globally launched menu trends. Next, the chefs shared tips based on their experiences and closed with a Casual Networking Session that brought together all participants in the culinary field to network.
"By introducing Future Menu, we hope our consumers can continue to enjoy Indonesian food while also encouraging the growth of the culinary industry in Indonesia," concluded Gemita Pasaribu.