Dining can take place in any number of settings – it could be used to commemorate special occasions with friends and family; provide business associates a place where they can concentrate without distraction; or serve as an opportunity to sample new foods.
Unreplicate Thestaurant experience at home with just a few simple touches: dim lighting and candles can help set the atmosphere, while centerpieces like fresh flowers or fruit in bowls add atmosphere and ambience.
Convenience
Convenience foods have become an incredibly popular trend within the food industry. These products require little or no preparation before consumption and come packaged conveniently so consumers can easily open and use it. Most often sold at supermarkets and other points of sale, convenience foods have revolutionized food service today.
But the definition of convenience has changed, broadening to encompass anything that makes life simpler or more enjoyable – meaning young Gen Z diners now place greater importance on personal aspects of convenience than their older millennial peers.
Meredith Sandland, CEO of Empower Delivery technology firm, asserts that this demographic of renters are rent rich but house poor; meaning they do not have a mortgage or children, giving them freedom to spend their disposable income as desired, including dining out frequently or not at all.
Socialization
Dining together provides an opportunity for socialization with others that is vital to mental health and well-being, including improved cognitive function which can be particularly helpful in dementia care. Unfortunately, long-term care facilities may face funding restrictions or regulations which limit high quality food options and staff levels as well as limit socialization during meals; this presents a serious problem as eating together can increase enjoyment, enhance taste and aid nutritional intake.
Instead, for residents in long-term care facilities, mealtimes have become medicalized tasks with an emphasis on nutrients intake and documenting, rather than considering social aspects as integral parts of quality of life. This represents a key gap in current practice that needs to be addressed immediately.