The Food Channel, Chicago, said its editorial staff reviewed the past decade's top flavors, biggest foods, food influences and top food stories. According to foodchannel.com editors, the biggest trends of the last decade (2000-2009) include:

TOP 10 TRENDS OVERALL

    * Sushi
    * Bacon
    * Cupcakes
    * Sliders
    * Gourmet Burgers made with Kobe or Angus Beef
    * Superfruits such as Acai, Pomegranate and Blueberry
    * Oils, such as olive oils and truffle oils
    * Whole grains, such as Kashi, polenta, risotto
    * Artisan foods, particularly in breads, cheeses and dark chocolates
    * Coffees, teas

DECADE'S TOP FLAVORS

    * Pomegranate
    * Wasabi
    * Cranberry
    * Ginger
    * Blueberry
    * Hibiscus
    * Bacon
    * Green tea
    * Dark Chocolate
    * Mint

TOP TEN FOOD INFLUENCERS

    * Organic foods, along with Locavore and Community Supported Agriculture
    * International Cuisines
    * Food TV and Internet
    * Food Safety
    * The Economy and subsequent shift to home cooking
    * Fast casual restaurant concepts
    * Fair trade and Artisan concepts in bread, chocolates, cheeses
    * Mobility/Social Media/Twitter notifications/Underground dining
    * Mixology
    * Culinary education

TOP FOOD PEOPLE OF THE DECADE

    * Food bloggers
    * The local farmer
    * Celebrity Chefs in general: Rick Bayless, Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Emeril Lagasse, Gordon Ramsey, Giada De Laurentiis, Mario Batali, Alton Brown, Tyler Florence, Jaime Oliver, Ina Garten
    * Julia Child/Julie Powell
    * The home cook
    * Grant Achatz
    * Alice Waters
    * Thomas Keller
    * Martha Stewart
    * The local restaurant chef

TOP TEN GENERAL NEWS TOPICS OF THE DECADE IMPACTING FOOD

    * Food Safety (tomatoes, green onions, H1N1)
    * Food Prices
    * Slow Food
    * Sustainability
    * Consumer generated advertising (Dorito's Super Bowl ad)
    * The demise of traditional publishing (Gourmet Magazine)
    * Organic
    * Private branding
    * Carl's, Jr.'s edgy advertising
    * McDonald's innovation

DECADE'S TOP RECIPES

    * Macaroni and Cheese
    * Bread Pudding
    * Risotto
    * Biscotti
    * Ceviche
    * Deep Fried Turkey
    * Creme Brulee
    * Bruschetta
    * Tilapia
    * Guacamole

TOP RESTAURANT TRENDS OF THE DECADE

    * Fast casual concept
    * Tapas and shareables
    * Gastropub
    * Molecular Gastronomy
    * Taco Trucks
    * Underground dining
    * Fusion
    * DIY
    * Catering
    * Upscaling of Bar food