Bompas & Parr opened the doors to a glow-in-the-dark sushi bar pop-up at the Mother of the Nation festival in Abu Dhabi and it created memorable experiences with a combination of ultraviolet light and bioluminescent ingredients. The pop-up sushi bar offered brightly colored cocktails and dishes like fluorescent pink nigiri, and maki in seemingly impossible shades of electric blue and neon green.
The menu featuring light-reactive ingredients was also enhanced with food extracts and pigments to exaggerate the impact of a phenomenon called electron displacement. Rian Coulter, senior account manager for Bompas & Parr, told Dezeen, "The black light emits ultraviolet radiation, which excites atoms and causes them to release fluorescent light. It only works with specific foods and/or the vitamin B2, examples include tonic water, bananas, peppers and honey."
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Bioluminescent Food
- Opportunities for restaurants to create unique experiences by combining UV light and bioluminescent ingredients in their food and drinks.
- Black Light Dining
- Innovation opportunities for event planners to utilize black light technology to enhance the dining experience at events and pop-ups.
- Food Pigments and Extracts
- Opportunities for companies to develop and market food pigments and extracts that react to UV light, to cater to the growing demand for unique food experiences.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Hospitality
- Hotels, restaurants and bars can incorporate this trend to create unique and memorable experiences for their customers.
- Event Planning
- Event planners can use this trend to create memorable experiences at events such as weddings, galas, and corporate events.
- Food and Beverage
- Food and beverage companies can explore using UV-reactive pigments and extracts to develop new products or flavors providing a distinctive experience for consumers.
