Food Predictions of 2012

Here are my predictions for 2012's new and sustained food happenings. It's definitely going to be an Andean kind of year (at least it will be for me, I head to South America next month and will remain there for the following six months...).

What's To Come!
1. Potatoes potatoes potatoes--no matter how they're prepared, it's hard to say no. (And really, why would you want to?) With over 4,000 varieties, it's hard to ignore this tasty tuber. Ask your farmer what varieties she or he grows. There's a variety that's right for your every need.

2. Pisco, however you like it. Try it sour or punchy for starters. Braver souls may learn to appreciate this Andean grape brandy neat. Really, there's no telling!

3. Homemade bitters, falernums, and tinctures go main stream. After all, if frugality goes viral, why would anyone purchase what can easily be made?

4. Forget the pizza toppings. It's all about the wood fired oven.

5. Bread baking: make it yourself! I've been doing this a fair amount this year. I'm not alone. Try starting a sourdough, and branch out with fun concoctions like a five seed loaf or a Parmigiano, cracked pepper loaf. Once you've got it down, find a restaurant with a wood-fired oven and ask if they do communal bake days.

6. Whole roasted yard bird. Every good cook (and chef) should be able to roast a whole chicken. Quality pastured birds are something meat eaters should look forward to this year.  Simplicity is bliss. (I'm sorry you won't find any recipes on this site... like I've said before, I don't dish yard bird.)

7. Vegetarian pho. Because cows are holy. And vegetables are too!

8. John Mariani, Esquire's food critic and a serious "Man" about town, will find enlightenment, and go vegetarian.

9. High quality, mid priced ($17-$35) South American wines. As quality improves, and prices remain accessible, we will discover that Chile, Argentina, and yes, Uruguay have some fun, tasty, and increasingly complex wines to offer our jaded palates.

10. Single source chocolate. This has been around a while--just not enough here in the U.S. Thankfully we will be tasting a lot more of it from craft chocolatiers in the future.

11. And a little lagniappe: A beautiful cup of coffee. It's the perfect way to start the day, and it helps cap off a delicious meal. Thank you Italy, for what you taught us, but we are moving on. Welcome to hipster America, where the art of talented baristas wonderfully enhances fair trade, sustainable, single source, shade-grown, meticulously roasted coffee.

What we want to see in the year ahead!
1. More urban gardening and farming. Let's grow vertical (including more rooftop food growing enterprises)!

2. Labeling of GMO foods.

3. More agricultural marketing from states other than California... Hello, Louisiana citrus, rice, and sugar. Hey there, Colorado potatoes, lamb, and stone fruits. Where for art thou, Michigan apples? Why can't I find you, Georgia Scuppernong? How does your oinker go, Carolina pig?

4. More Food Policy Councils helping urban and rural areas access and market local food.

5. People challenging themselves and those around them to learn more about their food. Where does it come from? Why do we eat it? Who grows it? Who harvests it? How is it made? How do we make it or grow it ourselves?

Happy growing, eating, and drinking in the year ahead!