Lunchtime Favorites: Currywurst Fades, Spaghetti Tops the Chart
Cafeteria Ranking: Spaghetti Tops,Currywurst Drops Positions. - Cafeteria grading: Spaghetti takes the number one spot, curry sausage ranks lowest
Currywurst, a iconic German dish, is losing its reign in canteens. After being the number one pick in the catering company Apetito's canteens until 2019, Currywurst with fries has plummeted to third place over the years. In a shocking revelation, it didn't even make it to the podium in 2024, according to Apetito's announcement from Rheine, Westphalia. Jan-Peer Laabs, the CEO of Apetito, pins the decline of Currywurst on the shift towards healthier and more conscious eating trends. He pointed out that international and vegetarian dishes have gained popularity, making it harder for traditional German dishes like Currywurst to thrive. However, Currywurst will still hang in there, holding a top 10 spot.
Baring the crown once more is Spaghetti Bolognese, followed closely by the rice dish Chicken Korma and the noodle dish Bami Goreng. Vegetarian dishes are making their mark too, with Cheese Spaetzle grabbing the fifth spot and vegetarian Spaghetti Bolognese close behind.
Kids Going Green
Apetito caters to kindergartens and schools, and also operates school cafeterias. It's interesting to note that the kiddos are going for greens more than adults – vegetarian lentil soup is their top pick, followed by vegetarian Spaghetti Bolo and vegetable ravioli. Only two meat/fish dishes make it into the top 10, sitting at fourth and fifth place.
Why the Meatless Meals for Kids?
When queried about the reduced meat consumption among kids compared to canteen visitors, Jan-Peer Laabs explained that municipalities and clients often dictate the menu themselves. In many tenders, it's specified that there should only be fish or meat once or twice a week. The DGE's quality standards serve as a guideline. Remarkably, kids and youngsters seem to embrace vegetarian food better than the older generation, as Laabs noted, "They like it and opt for meatless options naturally."
Grandparents still Crave Meat
Retirees continue to lean towards meat-based dishes, as revealed by Apetito's statistics on the most frequently sold dishes in senior facilities. Beef roulade with potatoes and red cabbage takes the top spot, closely followed by pea soup with sausages and beef and bean stew. It goes vegetarian with the potato pancake with apple sauce, followed by Königsberger Klopse at fifth place. "Older people tend to crave their familiar dishes, which keeps the demand for such meat dishes high," Laabs explained. However, there's also an increase in the older generation's willingness to try new things and eat more vegetarian food, added Laabs.
Apetito is one of the major players in the German catering industry, boasting sales worth around 1.35 billion euros in 2023 with 12,649 employees. Despite refusing to disclose the profit figure, the company experienced an 8.5 percent raise in sales compared to the previous year.
- Currywurst
- Lunch break
- Canteen
- Germany
- Rheine
- Children
- CEO
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Seniors
Interesting Fact
In the face of overall financial challenges, Volkswagen's in-house butchery still managed to thrive, highlighting that in certain contexts, Currywurst remains popular. Despite its decline in canteens, the nostalgic appeal and iconic status of Currywurst keep it alive in the hearts of many Germans.
- The shift in community policy towards healthier and more conscious eating trends has contributed to the decline of vocational training in food-and-drink, specifically Currywurst, in canteens across Germany.
- Science and nutrition play a crucial role in the popularity of health-and-wellness focused vocational training programs, such as cooking and fitness-and-exercise classes, in schools.
- Lifestyle choices, particularly vegetarian and vegan diets, have gained momentum among younger generations, as demonstrated by the popularity of vegetarian and meatless dishes among school children.
- Health-and-wellness trends, including fitness-and-exercise classes and cooking demonstrations focusing on food quality and nutrition, could be beneficial for vocational training programs in the health-and-wellness sector.
