As I’ve been researching episode ideas for the upcoming season I’ve really enjoyed reading about all of the anticipated food trends for 2013. This site in particular is awesome as it provides links to just about everyone’s predictions from the Huffington Post to NPR. I spent a good hour or two scouring over each of these links and reading about what food culture could look like this year. I’ve picked the five trends that I’m most excited about and listed them below.

1. Korean cuisine- I have a particular interest in Korean food as my brother is just getting ready to jet off to South Korea for a 2 year mission. While my family was visiting during the holidays we ventured to Korea town and had a couple of amazing meals and all I have to say is, I’m on board. What fantastic food! I particularly think that fermeted foods like kimchi will be popular and I’m really looking forward to using gochujang in my cooking as it seems to be one of the hot ingredients that everyone is buzzing about.

2. Artisnal Breads- Did you know that restaurants are starting to offer a bread course?! Sign me up ladies and gents. I feel like the past couple of years have been filled with advice to decline the bread basket at your table and cut out breads completely to trim your waistline. Well thank goodness we’ve been given permission to celebrate bread this year!

3. Mocktails- You may start seeing a few more drink options on the menu at your favorite restaurants that don’t include alcohol. As someone who doesn’t drink this excites me beyond words! Having more options than lemonade or Diet Coke will be awesome. I’m equally as excited to embrace this trend in my home kitchen and start giving some attention to creative mocktails that can be served at parties or even alongside dinner.

4. Chicken- Chicken is usually the cheap item on the menu that everyone avoids unless you’re on a budget. Things are apparently changing for America’s most popular dinnertime bird and a lot of attention is being given to creative chicken dishes. I’m so excited about this and excited to possibly incorporate a few new chicken recipes into the upcoming season.

5. Popcorn- Move over cupcakes and doughnuts, popcorn has arrived. The salty snack that’s been around forever will be getting a makeover this year with all sorts of flavor profiles. Think salt and vinegar popcorn or even dill pickle popcorn- I personally can’t wait!

What food trends are you most looking forward to this year?

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For me, fall is all about soup. It’s the gateway to months full of comfort foods and such an easy dinner on a brisk fall night. It’s also the best excuse to enjoy really good bread, either homemade picked up from your local bakery. Try this Rustic Fall Vegetable Soup. It will not disappoint and will surely make you feel cozy. Big bonus – it’s super healthy!

Living in the Northeast, I love to experience the beautiful changing leaves and fall foilage. I’m closely following this website so we hopefully catch it at its peak! We’ve made it a tradition to drive to the suburbs every year for apple picking.  Check out my post on apple picking here- we’re hoping to take Oliver for his first time within the next few weeks. I can taste the apple cider and doughnuts already!

I’m wearing a denim jacket any chance I get on these brisk fall days. It’s become my go-to piece as I’m running out the door to the grocery store or the pediatrician. It’s casual, comfortable, and goes with just about anything. It’s a piece that will last you for years and is perfect for layering.

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I love this kitchen infographic that I came across while perusing Pinterest late one night. The information is thorough and best of all it’s pretty to look at. To sweeten the deal it’s a free printable.  I like the idea of sticking it on the inside of one of my kitchen cupboards or if I’m feeling really ambitious maybe I’ll even laminate it so that it will stand up to messes in the kitchen. Click here to get a closer look!

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I’ve been out of the office lately and in the test kitchen. When I rolled out of the Food Network test kitchens last week, I left with lots of recipes and about 7 extra pounds around my mid-section. Worth-every-bite.

When Kelsey’s Essentials was picked up for its second season in early February I was ecstatic. Primarily because this meant that I still had a job. The television business is an interesting one and you never know what is coming next. It’s important to appreciate every moment because you never know when it could be over. Thanks to amazing viewers who consistently tune in and support the show, the dream lives on for another season. (and I can take a huge sigh of relief) None of it would exist without a magnificent production company, the amazing culinary staff at Food Network/Cooking Channel and countless others. Thankfully season 1 was a success and has given me the chance to take another whack at it with season 2. I learned so much the first time around and cannot wait to implement those lessons that I learned.

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Having a husband who works in advertising means I get creative links sent to me all day from his desk. This one bowled me over today! No one needs to make a case for butter in this home, there’s plenty of it. But this butter ad is like a visual masterpiece. It’s been trending on YouTube today and it’s too good to not share. This ad from Lurpak, a butter brand owned by the Danish Dairy board is unlike any thing I’ve seen on the tube in America lately. Seriously epic.

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