In today’s hyper-connected globe, the meaning of national identity is no longer rigid, and we’re seeing a dissolution of cultural borders as we travel through our devices. This shift in mentality is happening against a turbulent geopolitical backdrop as countries prioritise regional allies.

As the new post-pandemic normal settles in and people adapt to a context of uncertainty, constant adversities, and pessimism, we are moving away from a moment in which consumers expected brands to rise up to society's challenges and into one when they’re demanding genuine allyship from businesses.

Diverse representation is an expectation, but as individuals no longer allow themselves to be defined in singular terms, there's mounting pressure on brands to understand and sensitively reflect how the intersections between race, gender, class, and ability impact people's everyday lives.

Chinese coffee lovers are overhauling Euro-centric norms around the drink with innovative recipes that draw on the country's traditional culture. While global chains still dominate the domestic market, home-grown brands are embracing hyper-local elements to provide robust competition.

Galaxy has launched a campaign celebrating the women on its cocoa-growing farms. Pledging to help one million women by 2030, it focuses on the central idea that when women thrive, so do their communities. This move leans into consumer desire for both a human touch and social action from brands.

Big Zuu is breaking the mould of British TV cookery through his show Big Zuu’s Big Eats. His fusion of no-frills cooking and in-depth conversation appeals to a new and formerly unrepresented demographic. Not only is he bringing new cuisines to the table – he’s also pulling up more chairs.

Though African diasporas have had an immeasurable influence on British culture, continental cuisine has been relatively absent from the public eye. Canvas8 spoke to restaurateur Yetti Tabai about the need for greater representation and celebration of African cooking within the British food scene.