Guessing the direction in which any given industry is heading is an imperfect science, but one that never fails to draw us in with its predictions. As we enter into 2012, a year fraught with its own forecasts, we aren't quite at the meal-in-a-pill stage once prediction for food, but honestly? We're getting closer every day.

Giant global marketing firm JWT has released its analysis of what we can expect from the year ahead, and for food that means everything from a greater focus on eco-friendly practices to gatherings that go beyond street food love and into far more specialized fare. Of course, technology also plays a role in what we'll be putting in our mouths, or how we'll be even be acquiring food -- don't be surprised if you soon find yourself presented with an iPad, rather than a menu, at a more niche restaurant.

Read on to discover which trends we thought were the coolest to be established by JWT. Notice any cropping up around you? Be sure to let us know in the comments, or at @HuffPostCaLiv.

Antique Foods

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Forget looking to the future -- some chefs are making their mark by opening up the cookbooks of the past. This pigeon dish from Heston Blumenthal's Dinner restaurant in London is originally circa 1780, a combination of two historic dishes using the much-maligned bird. (Courtesy of Flickr/Ewan-M)

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Forget looking to the future -- some chefs are making their mark by opening up the cookbooks of the past. This pigeon dish from Heston Blumenthal's Dinner restaurant in London is originally circa 1780, a combination of two historic dishes using the much-maligned bird. (Courtesy of Flickr/Ewan-M)

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Celebrities With Breast Cancer

Rehtaeh Parsons Life In Photos

Best Love Quotes On Pinterest

10 Ways To Online Date In 2013

13 Ways to Survive a Hangover

Where To Get Booze Outside The LCBO

Antique Foods

 

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Forget looking to the future -- some chefs are making their mark by opening up the cookbooks of the past. This pigeon dish from Heston Blumenthal's Dinner restaurant in London is originally circa 1780, a combination of two historic dishes using the much-maligned bird. (Courtesy of Flickr/Ewan-M)

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WATCH: The changes in food production coming in the future