You do not need to ‘rebrand’, start a new diet or change who you are at the start of each year. Focus on what you can add to your plate, not what you can take away. I have put together a list of foodie ideas for you to try in 2026.
This is just a bit of fun, but I hope it inspires you to get cooking, tasting and enjoying your favourite food this year.
1.Try that new recipe that you have been meaning to try
You know that one recipe you saved months ago on TikTok or in your favourite cookbook. This is your sign to try making it.
2. Host a dinner party
It doesn’t need to be fancy. Curries, chilli and fajitas are perfect go-to options as they’re easy to prep ahead and are great crowd pleasers.
3.Try that café you keep saying you will visit
Stop walking past it and go in. Exeter has such a great selection of indie coffee shops to try. Even better if you make it a post lecture treat.
4. Treat yourself to a new cookbook
Whether you’re into baking, comfort food or quick meals, there is a cookbook for everyone. They are great to flick through when you are in need of inspiration and can help you to discover new go-to dishes.
5. Try make a vegan meal once a week
A simple way to eat more environmentally friendly, try new ingredients and recipes, and to get more plants into your meals
6. Drink more water
I know it sounds basic, but always keeping a bottle of water near by can make a massive difference. Bonus points if it is in a cute reusable water bottle
7. Add beans to your meals twice a week.
If you’re struggling with thinking of bean recipe ideas why not try chickpeas in salads, lentils in curries and butter beans to make your pasta sauce extra creamy. Beans are a triple win; easy, affordable and good for the planet.
8. Bake a batch of cookies
Perfect for sharing with friends to keep ready for the week ahead.
9. Make a homemade Sunday roast
This is the ultimate home comfort and who doesn’t love a roast.
10. Make a batch of homemade iced tea
Great for when it starts to get warmer and its surprisingly easy to customise.
11. Try out a new restaurant
Bonus points if it is an independent restaurant.
12. Learn to make a new sauce from scratch
This is an amazing way to level up the flavour of your meals. Pesto, chimichurri or peanut sauce are a great place to start.
13. Host a ‘bring a board night’
Each friend brings a board: drinks, nibbles, fruit or dessert. This is great for low-effort hosting and allows everyone to get creative in the kitchen.
14. Make your own salad dressing
Once you have perfected the recipe and have all the ingredients you may find this is your new go-to salad dressing.
15. Have breakfast for dinner
You can have a lot of fun with this for example you could whip together pancakes, fancy eggs, shakshuka, avocado toast or French toast.
16. Try a new hot drink
From trying a new flavoured coffee, chai latte, matcha or herbal teas, mix up your usual order.
17. Host a cosy hot chocolate evening
Another fun and cosy low-effort hosting idea to catch up with friends.
18. Make soup from scratch and freeze portions
Future you will thank you for this and it is a true life saver on busy days.
19. DIY cooking lesson
Show your friend how to make your favourite meal, baked good or cocktail. Channel your inner chef and share your cooking wisdom.
20. Try a new seasoning
This is such an easy way to spice up your go-to meals
21. Recreate your favourite café order or takeaway at home
What a fun challenge! Making a takeaway at home is often cheaper and way more satisfying. You could recreate your favourite matcha order, a burger with all the trimmings, or make a pizza with all your favourite toppings.
22. Make a snack plate
I have been loving this trend on socials recently. Grab a load of your favourite ingredients, place them on a plate beautifully and get a quick picture to add to your next photo dump.
23. Make your favourite meal
Enjoy your favourite meal and make an extra portion to eat tomorrow or freeze for when you need a pick me up.
24. Fridge raid meal
Get creative with whatever ingredients and leftovers you have before your next food shop.
25. Create your own recipe
You could tweak a recipe you already love or get a load of ingredients you love and make it up as you go along.
26. Get dipping
Make your favourite dip from scratch for example, hummus, salsa, guacamole, whipped feta or tzatziki.
If you try just one idea or work your way through the whole list, I hope this has given you some inspo to shake up your meals over 2026. Hopefully this list gives you a few ideas to get cooking more, try something new and share food with the people you love this year.