If there's one event in the Netherlands that food experts, culinary innovators and trend-spotters look forward to every year, it’s Gastvrij Rotterdam. Whether you are a restaurant owner, manager, bartender or seasoned chef, for every professional there is something interesting to see and experience. Being foodies and part of Kilburn & Strode’s food & drink group, our trade mark attorneys Claudia Festen and Marit Blom happily attended the event in Rotterdam on 24 September 2024 – and thought we’d share our insights as we look ahead to the new year.
What is it all about?
For over a decade, Gastvrij Rotterdam has been shining a spotlight on the future of food, offering a sneaky peek into the next big culinary trends. Taking place in AHOY Rotterdam in the Netherlands, this year’s event brought together chefs, entrepreneurs and food innovators from around Europe to showcase the latest creations and concepts. It’s not just an exhibition or trade fair —it’s a gathering of culinary minds shaking up the industry.
Gastvrij Rotterdam hosts many culinary competitions and finals, amongst others the Dutch Finale of Bocuse d’Or, the finale of Wijnvrouw van het Jaar (Leading women in the Wine-industry), The Green Chef's Hat and many more.
Think of it as the Dutch “Glastonbury Festival” for food professionals. We’ve seen food trucks with glittering lights, a foodie peepshow, digital drinks, and have witnessed some seriously amazing (and delicious) happenings.
So, what new trends did we notice this time?
Hot food trends at Gastvrij Rotterdam 2024
We all know the food world is constantly evolving, and in the Netherlands Gastvrij Rotterdam is a sure place to see what’s about to hit the mainstream. Here are a few trends that took centre stage:
Plant-based innovation
Gone are the days when plant-based food was just for vegans and vegetarians. At this year’s event, even the most dedicated of meat-lovers raised an eyebrow at the plant-based offerings. Everything from plant-based steaks that could trick even the most devout carnivores (Beyond Meat), to dairy-free ice cream that could make you forget cows ever existed (Goodoo), to “green” snacks that make you entirely reassess the humble cauliflower (Snack with Benefits). As the ultimate omnivores, the innovations we saw at Gastvrij Rotterdam made us rethink what we thought we knew about plants on plates.
Other alternative proteins
We also saw the entrepreneurs who are making waves with their non-dairy cheese (Max & Bien) or insect-based snacks, giving us plenty of food for thought (pun definitely intended!).
Sustainable dining
It’s official: sustainability is here to stay. At this year’s event, sustainability was not just a buzzword - it was the main course. From locally sourced, low-carbon-impact dishes, to reusing coffee grounds (Rotterzwam), to sustainable disposable packaging materials (Fonkels), to take-away solutions ond unique, custom-made packaging designs, sustainability has truly taken over and looks set to maintain its domination.
No alcohol
We already knew that more and more people are looking for alternatives to alcoholic beverages, trying to live more consciously and healthily. We noticed new drinks that cannot be classified in ‘regular’ categories like alcohol-free wine, beer or cocktails. One thing they have in common: they are specifically created for us to enjoy alcohol-free.
These include new flavours which are surprising and which we will probably have to learn to appreciate, since they do not have an alcoholic equivalent we might already be used to. Think of botanical drinks used as a basis for tasty alcohol-free cocktails (Searoop and Nona Drinks).
We also tasted botanical drinks (no alcohol) which are ideal for meal pairing, served like wine but made from beets, elevated through lactic fermentation, and infused with roots, spices and herbs (Feral Drinks).
Conclusion
While watching food trends is always exciting, it’s the people behind them that make Gastvrij Rotterdam such a must-attend event. This year, a number of culinary innovators took to the stage to show us the magic that really happens when passion meets creativity and to prove that eco-friendly dining doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavour. These innovators are truly shaping the future - and making sure it’s delicious.
Gastvrij Rotterdam is therefore so much more than just a food fair. It’s where the future of food takes shape and where the culinary world comes together to showcase groundbreaking innovations, trends and ideas. Whether you were there for the plant-based feasts, the sustainable solutions, or simply to witness the culinary creativity on display, there’s no doubt that this year's event was inspiring and most definitely a delight to attend - we’re already looking forward to seeing what 2025 has to offer!
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this article further, please contact Marit Blom, Claudia Festen, Rowena Tolley or your usual advisor at Kilburn & Strode.