A really interesting topic of conversation within the foodie community right now is how the food scene has changed dramatically as a result of the current pandemic that we’re struggling through. It’s no secret that a lot of eateries have struggled to stay afloat as a result of the pandemic and all of the restrictions that have come with it.
What’s interesting is just how quickly the food scene has begun to adapt and change to accommodate the new situation that we find ourselves in – aka living through a global pandemic. The restaurant industry has changed far more dramatically than any other, and it’s totally incredible seeing how innovative many brands have become in a battle to survive the pandemic and ensure that businesses remain afloat.
Let’s look at how exactly the food scene has changed as a result of the pandemic!
Outdoor dining has become hugely popular
A high percentage of restaurants have begun to move into outdoor dining opportunities; offering customers the choice between eating inside (where allowed) and dining outdoors. It’s a well-known fact that scientists believe that COVID-19 spreads more easily indoors, which is why dining outside has become an increasingly popular choice. In order to accommodate this, eateries have had to get creative and think outside of the box with their offering to customers.
So, what are eateries offering? There are a number of outdoor dining options that eateries are currently offering to customers – while some eateries simply have more outdoor seating, other restaurants have invested in new setups for diners. A popular setup is individual dining igloo tents complete with heaters, allowing diners to eat inside their own, socially distanced pod. It’s warm, comfortable, and separate from other dining parties. Another option that many restaurants are utilizing is the use of outdoor shelters which has been set up with a number of tables and heaters under them; allowing diners to eat outside even in colder or wet weather.
Innovative tech has taken over
Another way in which the food scene has changed as a result of the pandemic is the fact that smart tech has begun to take over. Almost all eateries now offer contactless payment options via a contactless card payment machine. In many places, cash has also been banned in a bid to help stop the spread of the virus.
A lot of eateries are now also offering food ordering via an app system; allowing diners to pick and order their food in a contact-free way. These apps are a great step towards a more innovative approach to dining out, and a high percentage of restaurants are taking full advantage of them in a bid to make customers feel safer when dining out.
The fact is that as a result of the pandemic, the food scene – like many industries – has had to adapt extremely quickly. However, what’s amazing to see is just how successfully – and safely – this seems to have been done in most instances.
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