# Globally Inspired Simmer Sauces Africa'a Largest Open-Air Market Inspired Merkato by Marcus By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2026-07-02 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/merkato-by-marcus References: [merkatobymarcus](https://merkatobymarcus.com/) & [restaurantbusinessonline](https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/consumer-trends/3-food-drink-trends-spotted-summer-fancy-food-show)  Merkato by Marcus is a new line of [simmer sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/geetas-foods-cooking-sauces) by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, shown at the Summer Fancy Food Show and set to launch officially in the fall. This range of sauces looks to the [largest open-air market in Africa](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gourmet-seasoning-salt) for flavor inspiration, drawing from the place where ingredients from across continents converge in a single, vibrant destination that offers endless inspiration for anyone seeking to explore the world through taste. The Mediterranean Bounty Simmer Sauce incorporates Marcus Samuelsson's famous Mediterranean spice blend into a composition that's rich, savory, herbaceous, smoky, and perfect for simplifying the preparation of dishes like shakshuka. Merkato by Marcus' aromatic Curry Delish features a lemongrass Asian spice blend to unite flavors that are spicy, acidic, umami, and bright. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.6/10 - Popularity: 55% | Activity: 60% | Freshness: 84% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Market-inspired Sauces:** Open-air market narratives give packaged sauces a culturally rich identity, creating room for grocery products that translate global food destinations into accessible home cooking experiences. - **Chef-led Convenience:** Celebrity chef branding elevates ready-to-use simmer sauces with culinary credibility, positioning convenience foods as premium shortcuts rather than compromises. - **Cross-continental Flavor Blends:** Hybrid spice profiles that combine Mediterranean, African, and Asian influences reflect growing demand for pantry staples that deliver layered, globally inspired flavor complexity. ### Where This Applies - **Packaged Foods:** Shelf-stable simmer sauces represent a premiumization pathway for packaged food brands as consumers seek faster meal solutions with restaurant-quality flavor cues. - **Specialty Grocery:** Curated global sauce lines strengthen specialty grocery assortments by turning everyday cooking aids into discovery-driven products rooted in provenance and storytelling. - **Foodservice Retail:** Chef-developed retail products blur the boundary between restaurant expertise and at-home dining, expanding how foodservice personalities can scale influence through consumer packaged goods. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [One-Step Caribbean Cooking Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caribbean-sauces-and-marinades.md) - [Protein-Focused Simmer Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/italian-simmer-sauces.md) - [Store-Brand South Asian Curries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/madras-curry.md) - [Versatile Umami Barbecue Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miso-teriyaki-bbq-sauce.md) - [Flavor-Enhancing Simmer Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/simmer-sauces1.md) - [Clean-Label Sofrito Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sofrito-cooking-sauces.md) - [Empowering International Cuisine Seasonings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seasoning-sachets.md) - [Simmering Pumpkin Curry Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-pumpkin-curry-simmer-sauce.md) - [Ultra-Delicious Hybrid Pizza Recipes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybrid-pizza1.md)