# Return to the Kitchen Fueled by the credit crunch and internet recipe, fine dining will return. By [Bianca](https://www.trendhunter.com/bianca), Brand & Innovation Strategist | Published Sep 4, 2008, updated Nov 19, 2009 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/online-al-dente-the-internet-has-become-a-modern-cooking-tool-as-a-recipe-s ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.3/10 - Evidence articles: 9 ## What is the Return to the Kitchen trend? **Return to the Kitchen:** Cooking has become a fashionable hobby for both men and women of all age groups. After reality cooking shows spurred new interest in culinary hobbies, the bug spread to the web. The internet is now a wealthy resource of recipes, interactive lessons and video tutorials. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 9 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 27 to Aug 28, 2008 - Published: Sep 4, 2008 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality) - Megatrends: [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Return to the Kitchen trend ### Emergence of Digital Cookbooks Businesses should focus on the possibilities of new technology in the culinary world to provide better advancements for cooking professionals in the industry. ### Social Networks for Chefs Chefs and cooking enthusiasts are looking for new ways to share and connect through a digital medium while showcasing their culinary skills. ### Rise of Food Porn There is a growing demand for artistic food photography that captures and promotes good food to consumers looking to explore and experience new flavors. ## What the Return to the Kitchen trend means for industry ### For Food Technology The trend towards digitization of cooking and baking is leading to new opportunities in recipe sharing platforms, kitchen gadgets, and other software for cooking enthusiasts. ### For Culinary Tourism Both casual tourists and food tourists are looking for cultural experiences centered around food, whether that means trying local cuisine or exploring different ingredients. ### For E-commerce Food retail companies that highlight artisanal, organic, or locally sourced foods are gaining popularity and reaching new demographics. ## Trend signals for Return to the Kitchen Trend score 3.3 out of 10, from popularity 32%, activity 58%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 32% - Activity: 58% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Return to the Kitchen trend 9 featured examples from Mar 27 to Aug 28, 2008. - [Digital Cookbooks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kitchen-sync-digital-cookbook-by-noah-balm): Kitchen Sync by Noah Balmer (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunities for tech companies to create new electronic cookbook platforms and devices. - [Culinary Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/culinary-digital-assistant-hannah-plevins-interactive-digital-cooking-aid): Interactive Digital Cooking Aid (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Consumer electronics companies have the opportunity to expand their product lines to include more smart kitchen gadgets and interactive digital cooking aids. - [Virtual Cooking Competitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-cooking-competitions-iron-chef-america-for-nintendo-wii): Iron Chef America for Nintendo Wii (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate gamification elements into cooking games to enhance user engagement and create new revenue streams through in-game purchases and virtu… - [Culinary Photography Boom](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photographing-seductive-sustenance-the-rise-of-food): The Rise of Food Porn (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Transformative potential for camera manufacturers and software developers to create specialized equipment and editing tools for food photography. - [Burnt Food Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burnt-food-museum-celebrating-really-bad-cooking): Celebrating Really Bad Cooking (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Tourism industry could develop quirky and eccentric museums or exhibits to attract visitors who are seeking something fun, unconventional or unusual. - [Junk Food Ads Targeting Children](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/junk-food-ads-targeting-children-who-is-upset): Who? Is Upset (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry needs to address the ethical issues surrounding junk food advertising targeted at children and explore healthier advertising strategies to promote n… - [Social Networks for Chefs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-networks-for-chefs-cookeatsharecom): CookEatShare.com (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for social networking platforms to target the chef community and facilitate interactions between professionals and home cooks. - [Local Fresh Food Locator](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/local-fresh-food-locator-local-harvest): Local Harvest (Category: Eco) Implication: Opportunity for companies to develop innovative solutions that connect consumers with local food sources. - [Odes to Edible Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/songs-about-food-foodsongsnet-has-the-best-and-the-worst): FoodSongs.net (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The music industry has an opportunity to create more food-themed music and collaborate with food industry professionals to create unique experiences. ## Recent trend clusters - [Serial Snacking](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/serial-snacking) (Lifestyle) - [Calm Monitoring](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/calm-monitoring) (Lifestyle) - [Performance Powders](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/performance-powders) (Lifestyle) - [Task Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/task-beverages) (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) - [Rapid Concussion Screening Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/infrared-eye-tracking) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)