Pre-pandemic, people might have focused on price, service, and cuisine when choosing where to dine out. But COVID-19 has sparked a shift in people’s priorities, with sanitation becoming a key factor when choosing a restaurant, creating a desire to see how outlets are protecting people.

As tastes in the luxury sector evolve, high-end restaurants are lagging behind in implementing new services and technology that diners will come to expect. What will premium experiences look like in this changing landscape, and how can brands adapt to stay ahead of the curve?

Restaurants have been one of the hardest-hit industries during the crisis. As lockdowns lift and restaurants look to re-open, people are beginning to think about what that return will look like, and it’s becoming clear that there will be a marked shift towards local and family-owned businesses.

Will homes remain the main destination for food and drink experiences? How can diets help maintain mental health? And who will people turn to for their groceries? In this part of the 2021 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about how the events of 2020 are shaping eating and drinking habits.