
More and more guests are following a flexitarian diet and want healthy, climate-friendly and tasty alternatives to meat. There is no need to sacrifice the protein, feel and taste of meat. Tips on how to impress guests with plant-based alternatives and serve dishes where no one misses the meat.
From gut health to alcohol-free enjoyment, from AI-supported shopping planning to viral food hypes: Austrian online supermarket Gurkerl.at sees four megatrends that will permanently change the food and beverage industry in 2026. Head buyer Nina Gerhardt explains why consumption is no longer just about price and availability – but about lifestyle, well-being, and digital intelligence.
When culinary excellence becomes an ecological statement—and top chefs take responsibility: Sustainability doesn’t end with packaging—it begins with product selection. This is impressively demonstrated by the Relais & Châteaux association, which, with over 580 member establishments, is considered the world’s largest gourmet community. Together with the NGO Ethic Ocean, it has launched an initiative that could not be more consistent: its chefs are committed to removing endangered fish and seafood species from their menus until stocks have recovered.
More and more guests are following a flexitarian diet and want healthy, climate-friendly and tasty alternatives to meat. There is no need to sacrifice the protein, feel and taste of meat. Tips on how to impress guests with plant-based alternatives and serve dishes where no one misses the meat.