Hey foodies it’s cold outside! But in the kitchen things are hotting up as pans bubble. air fryers hum, and microwaves ‘ping’. Whatever your particular culinary go-to, it has to be comforting, satisfying and above all … tasty. Today, we look at the top 5 predicted trends defining the food we love to eat.
The ins, the outs … and the shake it all abouts for 2026.
[You’ll find the Seasonal Recipe Challenge below.]
1. Comfort & Nostalgia Reinvented
British comfort classics are making a big comeback, but in premium, elevated forms.
Think the humble Shepherd’s Pie with richer umami; enhanced Mac ‘n’ Cheese; and household Baked Beans lifted to restaurant standards.
3 x Beans Chilli on Toast – RECIPE.
These nostalgic flavours are reflected in home cooking, whether from scratch or pre-made and shop bought. Just add the umami inspiration of our Bloody Mary Ketchup to the meat of a saucy Shepheard’s Pie; the smooth warmth of our Classic English Mustard to your Mac ‘n’ Cheese; and turn beans on toast into a 3 x Bean Chilli family pleaser by adding Chilli Ketchup.
Easy does it, don’t rush. Comfort can take just a little longer as with this ‘Slow-cooked’ Beef Pie.
Chef Andy says: The long, slow cooking of the beef ensures the tenderest tastiest filling for this delicious pie. Adding our Real Brown Sauce gives the gravy a wonderful depth of flavour, sweet with dates and aromatic with Persian spices. Enjoy!
2. Global Flavours & Thoughtful Fusion
Whilst ‘meat and two veg’ is a classic, UK palates are developing with travel and recreation. Broader aspects of Continental fusion are fast growing to be the norm.
Blends like Korean, Italian, Mexican, Southeast Asian influences are appearing more often in both restaurants and home cooking.
Our Vegan Glazed Tofu uses Hoisin Sauce. A rich sweet Hoisin Sauce made with Yellow bean sauce, soy sauce and a little red chilli.
You’ll find and enjoy this simple RECIPE – HERE.
Korean BBQ Sauce is a really cool dip for chicken wings, or a marinade for grilled chicken needing a little umami kick: RECIPE- HERE.
Our Sweet Chilli Sauce adds oriental sizzle to everything.
Shakshuka-style Baked Eggs is a whirlwind of flavour – a fabulous brunch.
Enjoy this RECIPE HERE and just imagine the variations you can create with Saucy Stokes influence!
3. Freezer Fine Dining & Premium Convenience
Freezers are no longer just for basics, they’re becoming an extension of the pantry with premium frozen products and chef-quality ready meals that let people recreate restaurant-level dishes at home on a daily basis.
This ties into a broader trend of convenience without compromise.
Even the best are made better with the equally uncompromising taste of Stokes.
4. Wellness-Led Eating (Fibre & Functional Foods)
Health is a huge driver in 2026 UK food trends, especially gut health and fibre.
Healthy, seasonal mushrooms in this Rustic Mushroom Soup – RECIPE HERE.
High-fibre foods, legumes, whole grains, and functional beverages are gaining traction, and restaurants are increasingly featuring items that promise health benefits along with flavour.
Spiced Lentil Dahl – RECIPE HERE.
Balance, balance, balance – beautifully basic and deliciously part of a weekly diet.
5. Enjoying More Seasonal & Local British Produce
Along with Nostalgia, Fusion, Convenience and Wellness there is still a passion to Eat British.
Eating British, sourcing locally, buying seasonally – this all needs planning.
Our challenge to Stokes Food Lovers is to make a plan to cook with seasonal British ingredients each month.
Take a pic and email it to us – [email protected] – subject Seasonal Challenge, note the key ingredients and we’ll share your thoughts with other Food Lovers.
You might even make it onto our Recipes pages – HERE.
We’ll take on the Seasonal Challenge too, to help you by creating a dish each month, exclusively for our Food Lovers. It will have a seasonal theme using seasonal, local (British) core ingredients.
How about this to get the ball rolling:
Hearty Sausage Casserole
British bangers from you local butcher, vibrant green curly kale, with British potatoes, carrots and roots (optional).
Get the full RECIPE HERE.
This is such a simple dish, adding all the ingredients to the pot as directed. Sit around the table and eat it in a bowl with a thick slice of buttered bread.
A traditional British ale would go down well with it too.
1. Login to your Stokes Sauces account. If you’re not yet registered, set up an account here.
2. Copy your unique referral link which can be found under the ‘Referral Coupons’ tab on your account dashboard and share with your friends.
3. When your friends visit the website and sign up for an account via your link, they will get 10% off at checkout.
4. Once your friend’s order has been processed, you’ll also receive a 10% off voucher code. This can be found under the ‘Referral Coupons’ tab on your account dashboard and valid for 3 months.
1. Copy & Share Your Link
2. Your friends can register via your link
3. You will get 10% coupon on the referral order purchase.
4. Your friend will also get a 10% discount coupon in return on Signup
