If you're planning a dinner party or perhaps designing entertaining menus for a forthcoming catered celebration, here's a helpful guide to the dining trends, cuisines, and even flavors that experts say remain hot.

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Popular overall dining trends

The following dining trends recently were predicted by The Food People, a British company that specializes in identifying food trends and ideas.

Food cocooning: People will continue to want the comforts of home, and to get together with friends to solidify and strengthen personal relationships.

Entertaining at home will continue to grow in popularity. (See our food for parties section for lots of great, easy  at-home party food ideas.)

 

Comfort foods: Similarly, guests will appreciate the hearty dishes that say "home." Among those that will be served at dinner parties, this year: fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese.

Simplicity reigns: Both casual and upscale restaurants will offer dishes that use fewer ingredients, seasonal flavors, and more simple preparations.

Buying local: The preference for purchasing local produce and other food products also will become more prominent, as restaurants and home cooks embrace freshness and the desire to live in a more eco-friendly way.

Need for treats: Desserts will come into greater focus as the desire for feel-good foods increases. Expect to see more lavish desserts, often served in miniature portions.

Photo credit:  Set table by Overstock.com

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