Cooking classes are among the most popular and universal offerings with lifelong learning and continuing education programs.

But staying current and adding new, original culinary offerings can be a challenge.

Here are some of the top upcoming food trends for 2017 to consider for some inspiration for new courses:

1. Vegetarian

According to a recet article from Forbes, "vegetables will continue their rise on the dinner plate, as animal proteins and heavy side dishes make way for more vegetarian options."

 Pinterest trends show there was a 336 percent rise in the word “veggies” in its comfort food searches last year, while searches for words such as “lasagna,” “macaroni” and “Stroganoff” were down by 69 percent, 55 percent and 50 percent, respectively. 

Course Ideas: Vegetarian Comfort Food; Discovering Vegetarian; Beyond Kale: Vegetarian Reinvented. 

2. Coffee

There are few foods (or bevarages if we want to get technical) that cross more generations and cultures than coffee. 

A study in The Journal of Medical Internet Research Public Health and Surveillance  found that analyzed Twitter activity found that coffee is the most tweeted about food in America.

Course Ideas: Become a Barista; Home Roasting; Latte Art.

3. Chocolate for Breakfast

In its list of 10 cutting-edge food trends for 2017, Food Business News suggests that recent studies linking dark chocolate consumption to positive health benefits may encourage more consumers to indulge in the a.m.

“There was a study that recently came out from Syracuse University re-touting the benefits of dark chocolate, specifically on cognitive function — abstract reasoning, memory, focus,” Liz Moskow told Food Business News. “The thought was eating chocolate prepares you more for your workday, so what better day part to incorporate dark chocolate into your meal than breakfast?”

Course Ideas: Chocolate for Breakfast (Obvious, we know)

4. Bowls

This one may seem a bit odd but the popularity of "bowls" only continues to increase. Think breakfast bowls, burrito bowls, even smoothie bowls.

The Forbes article points out that restaurants are moving away from handhelds and opting for the less-messy alternative of the bowl. 

A search for "bowl recipes" on Pinterest offers up thousands of results that include everything from eggroll in a bowl to healthy grain bowls.

Course Ideas: Healthy Bowl Cooking; How to Build Bowl Meals

5. Edible Flowers

Edible flowers are beautiful and unusual in the fact that not many people know how to use them.

According an article from The National, edible flowers are making a bit of a resurgence. 

Food for thought: a look at the growing trend of edible flowers and how to grow your own | The National