The families that brought pizza to the North American masses were rule-breakers, trendsetters, and cultural pioneers. As discussed in our previous article Pizza’s rise to stardom, they left a huge imprint on our culinary history, paved the way for future food innovations, and created lifelong pizza fans all over the world. It’s hardly an exaggeration to call these pies a cultural icon. But just like any other staple, pizza needs to reinvent itself to remain relevant and exciting for hungry customers.

So, we’re sharing 4 tried and true trends to inspire your next great recipe!

Please every type of crowd with breakfast pizza

One of the top menu trends right now, no matter the type of restaurant, is breakfast food. Millennials are particularly excited about this trend, and overall, breakfast food accounted for an impressive 30% of total restaurant traffic last year!¹ Not only are restaurants becoming more innovative with their morning meals, but consumers are spending money earlier in the day.

Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity: add a delicious breakfast pizza to your menu to please crowds throughout the day. The version we suggest includes Bocconcini cheese rolls, egg, prosciutto, asparagus, and a drizzle of hollandaise sauce, but the list of potential toppings is endless. Bacon, egg, cheddar cheese, and peppers is another winning combo, but we encourage you to get creative with whatever’s in your kitchen!

Consumers crave premium ingredients and high-quality recipes - even when it comes to pizza

When it comes to consumer preferences, the numbers don’t lie: people are looking for restaurants that offer foods that are fresh (41%) and sourced from Canada (38%), with menu items that contain different flavours and varieties of cheese (68%)². On top of all that, artisanal quality and premium ingredients were the two most important pizza trends last year³.
Give your diners a taste of tradition by combining simple, authentic recipes with exceptionally fresh ingredients: for example, you can make a classic pizza with fewer toppings feel a little more “haute” with high-quality ingredients like asparagus or prosciutto. Then, take their flavours one step further by finishing things off with Fior di Latte or Bocconcini cheese.

For more inspiration, check out this comforting pizza Bianca featuring La Sauvagine cheese, ham, onions, and potatoes, or this delicious goat cheese Margherita pizza, a perfect example of elevating a classic recipe with fine cheese.

Veggies are in demand

Healthier options are the rage these days, and 32% of consumers say they’re looking for more menu options that include vegetables⁴. In the world of pizza, veggie pies are among the top 3 most popular menu items – alongside other favourites like meat combo pizzas and pizzas with chicken, which both made the top 5⁵. Clearly, variety is the key to success!

Ratatouille pizza is a great starting point for veggie inspiration, featuring a delicious mix of 20% Pizza Mozzarella cheese shredded, soft fresh goat cheese, a bunch of roasted veggies such as zucchini, tomato, eggplant, red onion, and bell pepper. For a truly unique flavour profile, get inspired by this leek and brussels sprouts pizza, topped with irresistible salty bacon and Bella Lodi cheese. Who said vegetables couldn’t be fun?!

Diners are more adventurous than ever

Did you know that 65% of Canadians are more likely to visit a restaurant that offers inventive flavours⁶? To please increasingly adventurous diners, mastering the use of innovative ingredients is a must. Bold tastes are especially trendy right now, like bitter, smoky and spicy⁷.
One of the easiest ways to incorporate new flavours into your menu is with a new pizza sauce like pesto, a spicy sauce, or balsamic! We’ve got 2 creative menu inspirations to get the ball rolling: shrimp and goat cheese pizza experiments with tangy flavours and a pesto-based sauce, while pear and prosciutto pizza features complementary sweet and savoury notes.

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Success in this culinary landscape requires a fine balance between well-loved traditional recipes, high-quality ingredients, and inventive flavours inspired by current trends. Don’t be shy to let your restaurant’s personality shine with creative pizza recipes, or switch things up with seasonally inspired items! No matter the direction you choose, Saputo Foodservice will be right by your side with tips, tricks, and ingredient recommendations to make your menu shine.

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¹NPD Q3 Report
² The NPD Group Inc. CREST YE Nov 2017
³ Technomic Q2 2017 - Q2 2018
⁴ The NPD Group Inc. CREST YE Nov 2017
⁵ Technomic Q2 2017 - Q2 2018
⁶ Technomic Food Flash - Feb 2018
⁷ Canadian Food Service Digest - January 2018