Friends of Eater Offer Headline Predictions for 2015

As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, and bloggers. This year, we asked the group eight questions running the gamut from meal of the year to top restaurant newcomers, and we'll be rolling out their expert opinions all week long. Responses are cut, pasted, and (mostly) unedited herein. Readers, please do add your survey answers in the comments.

What are your headline predictions for 2015?

Chris Angelus, founder of Portland Food Adventures and Right at the Fork podcasts

Who am I if not shameless?

• "Right At the Fork Nudges Serial as Most Listened to Podcast in Portland."
• "Newest, Most Unique and Best Portland Dining Experience: Traveling to Barcelona with PFA and Chef Jose Chesa." 
  

Byron Beck, editor, GoLocalPDX

Big restaurants will go bust. Pop-ups will keep popping up. Food carts will continue to gain more press than they probably deserve. And Gregory Gourdet will win Top Chef Boston. Or Dougie Adams. Definitely.

Karen Brooks, book author; food editor and restaurant critic for Portland Monthly

Don't ever count Portland out.

Brett Burmeister, blogger, Food Carts Portland

In 2014, we saw a number of great food cart vendors open restaurants or shops. I predict we'll see more in 2015, in addition to some expansion of existing establishments. Oh, and maybe a mobile dispensary truck come July.

Liz Crain, author "Food Lover's Guide to Portland" and "Toro Bravo" cookbook

More. Sorry, I really dislike forecasting unless it's delivered via fiction or meteorologists. That said, I hope for more ambitious brunch and AM spots. Pretty please.

Andrea Damewood, restaurant critic, Portland Mercury

Pop ups replace food carts as Portland's trendy way to build buzz before launching a formal restaurant

Erin De Jesus, News and Reports, Eater

• "Portland Reaches Ultimate Pizza Saturation, New York Transplants Still Hate All of It"
• "Former Eater PDX Editor Suffers Cheese Overdose at Chizu, Regrets Nothing"

Allison Jones, web editor, Portland Monthly

"Gregory Gourdet and Doug Adams to Helm an All-Star, All-Portland Season of Top Chef Because What's the Point of Letting Any Other City Try to Win Anymore?"

Kerry Newberry, food and travel writer; wine editor at SIP Northwest

• "Portland Chef Celebrates Summer Solstice With Moonlit Pickling Class"
• "Heritage Breed Hog Farmer and Biodynamic Winemaker Bring Bubbledogs to PDX"
• "Portland Art Student Designs Edible Wedding Gown With Mini Organic Cupcakes"

Gary Okazaki, professional glutton (aka Gary the Foodie)

I believe there is a glut of Portland restaurants, and in 2015 there will be an overall contraction with some high-profile closures.

Michael Russell, restaurant critic and reporter, The Oregonian

• Portland chef makes top three on "Top Chef"
• Ramen, sausages and Middle Eastern flavors stay on trend
• April Bloomfield opens Portland restaurant
  

Peter Szymczak, writer, Oregon Wine Press and SIP Northwest

"Portland crowns first Top Chef winner"

Mike Thelin, Feast Portland co-founder

More and more food cart pods are going to lose their home due to the current development boom.

Michael Zusman, cookbook author, restaurant critic (and judge)

• "Is Fremont the New Division?"
• "Dutch Brothers Drive-Thru Opens Inside Starbucks"