# Backyard Connoisseur BBQ culture expands to more gourmet tastes. By [Armida Ascano](https://www.trendhunter.com/Armida), Chief Insights Officer | Published Apr 11, 2014 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/backyard-connoisseur ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.4/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Backyard Connoisseur trend? **Backyard Connoisseur:** Previously reserved to backyard barbecues for family festivities, barbecuing is now seen as an art form fit for gourmet tastes. Reflecting a consumer need for sophistication in all aspects of life, this remix on comfort food brings old tradition to more modern consumers seeking prestige. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: May 5, 2015 to May 14, 2018 - Published: Apr 11, 2014 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Backyard Connoisseur trend ### Gourmet Barbecue Consumers seek sophistication in all aspects of life, leading to the emergence of gourmet barbecue experiences. ### Functional Accessories Watches and other accessories can be designed to improve the experience of casual cooking. ### Plant-Based Butchery Vegan and vegetarian cuisines are finding new, innovative ways to compete with traditional protein sources. ## What the Backyard Connoisseur trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage The food and beverage industry can tap into the sophistication of consumers by creating high-end barbecue experiences like GD Bro Burger's menu in California. ### For Consumer Electronics Consumer electronics companies could develop functional accessories for cooking, such as watches designed to help grillers keep track of cooking times like the GrillTimer watch. ### For Plant-Based Foods Entrepreneurs in the plant-based foods industry can expand on YamChops' innovative meat-free recipes to develop new and unique products like crab cakes, beef wellingtons, and vegan smoked salmon. ## Workshop question If your brand were to offer an elevated adaptation of one of your favorite trends, what would that look like? ## Trend signals for Backyard Connoisseur Trend score 3.4 out of 10, from popularity 52%, activity 41%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 52% - Activity: 41% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Backyard Connoisseur trend 6 featured examples from May 5, 2015 to May 14, 2018. - [Over-the-Top Burger Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gd-bro-burger): California-Based 'GD Bro Burger' Serves Up Colorful Comfort Food (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for fast food chains to innovate their menu offerings, visual presentation, and use of unique ingredients to appeal to younger generations and foodies alike. - [Plant-Based Butcher Cookbooks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yamchops): 'From the Kitchen of YamChops' Shares Secrets of Vegan Butchering (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Plant-based food industry can benefit from offering unique meat-like alternatives to cater to the ever-growing vegan and eco-friendly diet market. - [BBQ-Assisting Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grilltimer): The GrillTimer Watch Helps You Keep Tabs On Your Barbecuing Efforts (Category: Tech) Implication: Watch manufacturers can explore the market for specialized watches catering to specific activities like outdoor cooking. - [Stylish Izakaya BBQ Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fukuro-restaurant): Black Sheep's Fukuro Restaurant Will Offer Hong Kong Fusion Food (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Restaurants can experiment with fusion cuisine and offer late-night izakaya eats to create a unique experience for customers. - [Truffled Steak Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steakburger): Steak ‘N Shake Has Expanded Its Gourmet Prime Steakburger Lineup (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Fast food chains can explore the incorporation of gourmet options into their menus to attract customers seeking higher-quality dining experiences. - [Hands-On Grilling Schools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grill-academy): The Weber Grill Academy Will Teach You to Become a BBQ Master (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity to disrupt the cooking education industry by offering specialized grilling classes. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)