Culinary trends may come and go, but when a new concept captivates diners, it holds the power to shake up an entire industry. Such is the case for some of the most notable trends expected to hit restaurants in 2020. From CBD-infused cuisine to plant-based meats, a variety of exciting opportunities promise to improve several elements of the modern dining experience, while still delivering the exquisite flavors, convenience, and sense of community that diners expect.

From the “Impossible Whopper” at Burger King to meatless chicken at KFC, businesses everywhere are starting to offer a wide variety of plant-based meat alternatives. People all over the world are starting to see the real benefits of eating less animal meat and focusing more on a plant-based diet. As you take a walk through the everyday grocery store, you’ll now find more plant-based options than you've ever seen before. But as plant-based food is becoming more common at grocery stores and fast-food stops, it is also hitting the scene at many restaurants across the country.

You may have already noticed but things have been getting … interesting in the food world. Take a recent example from fall 2019, when social media blew up over chicken sandwiches, a long-standing fast-food staple that, thanks to clever marketing, sparked an online frenzy between competing chains.

Ahead of the New Year, Johnson & Wales University’s Michael Sabitoni laid out what he predicts the top beverage trends for 2020 will be. Take a look at what he thinks industry professionals should be on the lookout for in 2020.

For most, fast-food slang when ordering has become almost a second language. “I’ll get a number two with an extra side of fries but hold the pickles on the burger” or “one iced venti with two pumps of caramel and whole milk, please” is common lingo these days. But sometimes if you listen closely, you might catch something out of, well, order. 

“I’ll get the Land, Sea, and Air Burger with a McAffogato, please.”

As it turns out, there’s an entire world of fast-food ordering that most people don’t know about ... the world of secret menus.

There is power in education, which is why, as part of the five-year educational partnership announced in fall 2018, employees of the Boston Bruins, TD Garden, and Delaware North will have the opportunity to receive a tuition scholarship to Johnson & Wales University.

This fact alone makes pursuing or completing a college degree a more realistic endeavor for the organizations’ more than 50,000 employees. Dreams will be followed. Lives will change.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the culinary arts industry is set to grow by 10 percent over the next decade. Because of this, the need for educated professionals with a background in culinary arts and business knowledge has never been so important.

There’s a saying: If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. This is especially true for a kitchen manager, who is charged with running the epicenter of a restaurant.

In today’s industry, it is crucial for baking and pastry professionals to have business and hospitality knowledge—in addition to culinary skills—at their disposal.

The Johnson & Wales University’s online Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management bachelor’s degree program offers students with an associate degree in the Baking & Pastry Arts the opportunity to see the industry through the lens of hospitality and business.