Mario Batali's Food And Drink Predictions For 2013

Mario Batali: Chef, impresario, soothsayer?

The celebrity chef sat down with Kate Krader and shared some of his predictions on what we might expect to rise in popularity when it comes to eating and drinking in 2013. Here's what he had to say:

"Wild line-caught fish from both lakes and oceans" will become more popular this year, he predicted, "like walleye and perch. [Also] cruciferous vegetables, both raw and cooked. Crucifers are the crunchy vegetables like broccoli that are part of the cabbage family." Other examples include turnip, watercress, beet greens, and kohlrabi.

Batali also predicted a rise in "handmade food in all forms... [like] non-processed tortillas, cakes, pasta, jams, breads, sausages, and salumi."

He also thinks we'll see more attention given to "DOC and DOCG stuff from all over Italy, products of proven quality made where they were first created. DOC and DOCG are Italian labels for food and wine from a specific region. Also American products that represent the place where they're made, like La Quercia prosciutto from Iowa, Anson Mills cornmeal from South Carolina, and Vella Jack cheese from Sonoma."

Finally, "Wine varietals outside of the big three (cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, and chardonnay). Special favorites: morellino di scansano, cirò, and nero d'avola."

Think he's right? And don't forget to check out our Food Trend Predictions for 2013!