What Are the Headline Predictions for 2020?

In keeping with Eater tradition, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, and bloggers. To kick it off in Charleston, Eater asked the group eight questions, ranging from the restaurants they frequent most to the biggest surprises of the year. Responses are in no particular order, and readers are encouraged to leave answers in the comments.

Q. What are your headline predictions for 2020?

Marion Sullivan, Food editor Charleston Magazine:
Under-represented minorities will get a larger slice of the brick and mortar pie

Stephanie Burt, writer and host of The Southern Fork:
“All hail the small neighborhood spot” will continue. Rents for anything bigger that 60 seats are mostly too steep to draw anything other than corporate cooking, something that I don’t think pushes the creative voice of the city at all.

Hanna Raskin, Food writer and critic for the Post & Courier:
Popular chef scraps plans for massive new restaurant; will instead open unmanned small plate vending machine

Parker Milner, Eater Charleston contributor:
Several concepts have successfully tried out the pop-up model in recent years — Short Grain (Jackrabbit Filly) and Pink Bellies even gained cult popularity. I think this will continue to be a way that rising Charleston chefs break into the food scene and become household names.

Vanessa Wolf, Charleston City Paper critic:
Big picture: Increased focus on sustainability and food waste issues

Locally: Continually expanding range of multicultural options

In my dreams: Charleston (re)gains an Ethiopian restaurant

Jenn Rice, Eater Charleston contributor:
Raleigh’s barbecue scene will turn into multiple rival headlines while I hope to see more Charlotte headlines in 2020

Kenneth Andrews, Eater Charleston contributor and pop-up enthusiast:
Madman and Chef David Schuttenberg starts yet another instant neighborhood favorite restaurant. Warning: To get a reservation you have to challenge him to a power ballad karaoke battle to the death.

Barbara Skidmore, Eater Charleston contributor:
Restaurant hopping, 2 or 3 small plates and drinks at different places vs 1 large sit down meal