It’s cold, half of Britain is underwater and it’s months until our next holiday. So sod the New Year detox, here’s five delicious things happening in food right now that’ll have you binning the celery. Wave goodbye to burgers and Cronuts. Say hello to lobster rolls, grown-up patisserie and three more top 2014 food trends…
Filter coffee
It’s time to dust off the cafetière: filter coffee is back. Forget flat whites, the nation’s best baristas are turning their attentions to filter. But before you plunge the French press, there’s a few things the coffee nerds want to teach you. Learn the art of home-brewing: what coffees to buy, the best equipment and how to use it, at Workshop Coffee’s new class. Artisan in Putney, Small Batch Coffee in Brighton, Origin Coffee in Cornwall and Colonna & Smalls in Bath also run filter and brew classes.
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Lobster rolls
Hot dog buns crammed with firm, creamy lobster meat slathered in mayo: there’s a lot to love about lobster rolls. They’re a staple in New England and NYC and starting to appear on menus over here. The team behind B.O.B’s Lobster truck are running a winter pop-up at The Rising Sun pub in London and the Goodman Lobster Roll Deli is opening soon in Mayfair. Until then, there’s the lobster rolls at Hawksmoor (drenched in garlic butter) and, of course, Burger & Lobster.
Iberico pork
Eaten Iberico ham? You’ll know how nutty and delicious it is. So imagine how good a whole slab of this acorn-fed Spanish pig tastes. In 2014 you’ll get a chance to find out, as suddenly all the big openings have Iberico on their menus: there’s the obscenely delicious Iberico pluma at Foxlow, the marbled shoulder steak at Blackfoot, and quince-glazed ribs at Ember Yard. Gaucho in Manchester and Leeds serves its marbled Iberico with Malbec mustard.
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Grown-up patisserie
If 2013 was the year of the Cronut, then in 2014 we’re swapping Frankenpastries for sophisticated confections. Cult Parisian cake-shop Pâtisserie des Reves is opening in London this February. Expect reworkings of French classics like St. Honoré (a choux pastry gateau) and Millefeuille. We also love the delicate macarons at Julian Plumart’s Boutique Et Salon De Thé in Brighton, the fruit tarts at London’s Cocomaya and the éclairs at Patisserie Madeline in Edinburgh.
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Gumbo
The deluge of American-themed openings shows no sign of stopping, but burger fatigue could (finally) be kicking in. It’s time for some authentic Southern grub. Cue... gumbo. US Chef Brad McDonald has put his interpretation of this Louisana stew on the menu at his new London restaurant, The Lockhart. It’s made with house-smoked Andouille sausage and topped with confit mallard legs and smoked mallard breast. Or check out Dinnercompany.com, which now offers all the ingredients to make the gumbo served by London street food van, Colonel Tom’s, delivered to your door anywhere in the UK.
Follow Katy on Twitter @KSalty
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.