The New Trend on Dining Tables: Personalized Menus and Experience-Focused Presentations

The gastronomy world evolves every year; however, one powerful trend has been rising simultaneously in both Turkey and across the globe: personalized menus and experience-focused presentations. Today’s consumers no longer want to simply eat; they want to see their own story, preferences, and emotions reflected on the table. This new gastro-experience approach is creating a completely fresh culture—both in professional kitchens and at home dining tables.

Why Are Personalized Menu Trends Growing?

1. Changing Consumer Expectations

Modern consumers demand far more than standard menus.
Their:

• Dietary habits

• Vegan/vegetarian preferences

• Food intolerances

• Emotional and experiential expectations

…all require restaurants to design tailored menus. In Turkey, especially younger consumers look for a “personal touch” in their dining experiences. Globally—particularly in the U.S. and Europe—this trend has long been on the rise and has become a key competitive advantage for restaurants.

2. Dining Tables That Tell a Story

Today, every plate aims to tell its own story. The cooking technique, the presentation, and even the materials used—such as cast iron pots or cast iron pans—have become part of the experience.
Especially when dishes are prepared using a baking tray or cast iron tray, the table reflects both professional kitchen quality and a natural, rustic effect.

3. The Influence of Social Media

With the impact of Instagram and TikTok, dining tables are no longer designed only for flavor but also for visual experience. Personalized menus, aesthetic plating, and dishes prepared in cast iron pots generate higher engagement on social media—creating valuable visibility for restaurants and brands.

How Experience-Focused Presentations Affect Consumers

Experience is the longest-lasting imprint in a consumer’s mind. Research shows that:

• 70% of customers who enjoy a personalized dining experience return to the same venue.

• Presentation influences perception as strongly as taste.

• Special menus prepared at home create meaningful “moments of sharing” that strengthen relationships.

For all these reasons—whether dining out or cooking at home—meals prepared using a cast iron pot, cast iron pan, baking tray, or cast iron tray sit at the very center of the experience.

Michelin-Starred Restaurants and the Personalized Dining Journey

One of the main reasons Michelin-starred restaurants remain so desirable is their ability to offer guests not just food, but a personalized journey.

Many Michelin chefs now craft exclusive tasting menus by considering each guest’s:

• Flavor profile

• Allergens

• Textural preferences

• Personal story

Most dishes in these menus are created using high-heat cooking techniques that maximize aroma and consistency. Cast iron pots and cast iron pans are widely used in Michelin-level kitchens because they distribute heat evenly and give chefs creative freedom. Similarly, dishes finished on a baking tray or cast iron tray achieve superior caramelization and deeper texture.

Experience as a New Year Gift: The Most Memorable Choice

As the New Year approaches, the best way to offer a truly unique gift is to give an experience—because people never forget moments that make them feel special.

Create a Unique Experience at Home with LAVA

Even a small New Year’s menu prepared at home becomes a meaningful memory when tailored for someone you love.

• A slow-cooked sauce in a cast iron pot

• An aromatic main dish grilled in a cast iron pan

• Crispy vegetables baked on a baking tray

• A rustic starter served from a cast iron tray

All of these transform your table into an unforgettable experience—making them one of the most impactful New Year gift ideas.

Or Gift a Michelin-Star Dining Experience

Dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant with a personalized tasting menu is more than a gift—it’s
a collection of memories.

In both cases, the message remains the same:

➡️ Experience is the most valuable gift.

Conclusion: Dining Tables Are Now About Emotion and Experience

Personalized menus and experience-focused presentations are much more than a trend—they are reshaping both global and Turkish gastronomy.

Today’s consumer wants to:

• Feel special

• See dishes tailored to their taste

• Experience presentations that go beyond the ordinary

• Create lasting memories

LAVA’s collection of cast iron pots, cast iron pans, baking trays, and cast iron trays makes this experience accessible in every home kitchen.

Whether you create your own special menu at home this New Year or gift a Michelin-star experience—

✨ What matters most is the emotion you place on the table. ✨