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Form Over Food

Creative lunches as an example of turning ordinary items into art

Implications - “Form over function” is the new slogan for culinary culture. Instead of opting for disposable containers, consumers are seeking creative ways to make homemade lunches exciting. Bentos and upscale lunch boxes are a burgeoning industry as Japanese culinary influences go viral.
Trend Themes
1. Upscale Lunch Boxes - Consumers are seeking creative ways to make homemade lunches exciting with the use of Bentos and upscale lunch boxes.
2. Food Art - The trend of creating intricate and artistic designs with food continues to grow, from Bento box art to sandwich art.
3. Hidden Lunch Boxes - With the Laptop Lunch, adults can carry a hidden bento box in a thermal laptop bag, complete with recipes and multiple compartments.
Industry Implications
1. Food Packaging Industry - The demand for more innovative and creative food packaging options has led to the growth of the upscale lunch box industry.
2. Food Art Industry - As food art becomes more popular, there is an opportunity for artists and entrepreneurs to create new products and services that cater to this trend.
3. Workplace Culture Industry - As people seek to hide their lunch boxes from coworkers, there is an opportunity for companies to create new products that address this need in the workplace.
4.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
6 Featured, 25 Examples:
957,215 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Mar 09 — Oct 09
Trending:
Warm

Featured Examples

Intricate Sandwich Art
Intricate Sandwich Art
Funky Lunch Depicts the Western Version of the Bento Box
I remember throwing away my lunches as a little girl; I hated sandwiches, they were boring and not fun to eat… but if I’d had sandwich art like the stuff featured on FunkyLunch.com, I’m pretty sure I would… MORE
Gamer-Centric Sushi
Gamer-Centric Sushi
Laura Bento Creates Xbox Controller Bento Box
Laura Bento created this Xbox controller Bento Box for her husband, who is an avid video gamer. The tribute to Xbox 360 features white rice to create the shape of the controller with colorful and yummy… MORE
Bento Box Bling
Bento Box Bling
Carolyn Tille Creates Sushi Jewelry for Japanese Food Addicts
Imagine coming across someone with bento box jewelry covering their body from head to toe. These miniature creations were made by Carolyn Tille and embrace the extreme love for sushi some people have.… MORE
Family Bonding Through Bento
Family Bonding Through Bento
In Japan, 'Bento Day' Lets Kids Learn to Make Healthy Lunches
On the school-mandated 'Bento Day,' Japanese students are learning how to prepare balanced bento box lunches on their own. The segmented lunch boxes are meant to keep portions of food (typically leftovers)… MORE
Artistic Lunch Landscapes
Artistic Lunch Landscapes
Sakurako Kitsa's Bento Works of Art
It is great at last to be able to post about a specific bento artist and not speak in general terms. In this case, it’s Sakurako Kitsa, who is thought to be one of the best bento artists in the world.… MORE
Disguised Bento Boxes
Disguised Bento Boxes
The Laptop Lunch Hides Your Meal from Hungry Coworkers
Carrying a lunch box can be embarrassing, especially if you’re a grown man or woman. The Laptop Lunch is a hidden bento box that comes in a thermal laptop bag. The kit not only has an inside pocket for… MORE