Happy New Year to you all! The start of a new year often forces us to look at the year behind us and see what we’ve learned and experienced as well as looking to the year ahead to see what might come our way. Looking back at 2006 I can think of some great food and entertaining moments such as enjoying my champagne with Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup, White Truffles in Tuscany and a Chipotle Pepper Summer to name a few.
Although my cooking style has always been influenced by my upbringing and where I have lived, I can’t help but look at the so called upcoming food trends for 2007. Some of them I am looking forward to and others, well let’s just say blue eye shadow and safari suits were trends once too and we managed to survive those! Here’s just a few trends for 2007 according to various sources such as Epicurious.com, Food & Wine and Bon Appetite.

· Consumers will care more about the quality of the food they are buying/eating rather than the quantity. No quarrels here!

· Local food movements instead of just organic focus. Always happy to eat a locally grown heirloom tomato!

· Southern spicy food—good bye to tapas/small plates but hello to true Spanish food.

· Spicy drinks and cocktails in bars and restaurants—hurray!

· A focus on regional cuisine instead of just cuisine by country—you’ll know where that pig came from in Italy versus just knowing it was Italy!

· A ban on foie gras—my heart says yes but my stomach says no.

· Interest in all things Greek—my Greek Australian mom will be happy!

· The steak is back in a big way—the boys are happy!

· My prediction—Let your own taste buds lead you and you can’t go wrong!