Keeping up with catering trends is a great way for businesses to differentiate themselves from competitors and attract new customers. From offering Micro Catering to doing virtual and remote catering, there are many trends that caterers can adopt to improve their business.

Moreover, they can also offer personalization to their customers and provide them with customized experiences.

Farm-to-table practices

The farm-to-table trend has gained traction in recent years as customers become more concerned with the quality of ingredients and where their food comes from. Caterers are responding by sourcing their ingredients from local farms and suppliers. This not only helps to reduce carbon footprints but also supports the community and provides fresh, healthy options for their clients.

In a classic arrangement, a restaurant contracts directly with farms to supply their ingredients. This bypasses wholesalers, which makes it possible for the restaurant to negotiate lower rates. It also allows the restaurant to visit the farms, and select the best products as they ripen.

This approach benefits the local economy by bringing in more custom to farmers and other small businesses, thereby promoting growth. It also minimizes the use of fuel by avoiding long-haul trucks and planes.

In addition, sourcing locally-grown ingredients minimizes the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which are harmful to the environment. It also helps to reduce waste and emissions by eliminating the need for refrigeration and packaging.

Plant-based catering

Caterers have been responding to increasing demand for plant-based catering by introducing menu items that are not only healthy but also look amazing. These include poke bowls, vegetable soups, superfood slaw, and more. They are also replacing unhealthy snacks with healthier versions of old favorites, such as potato chips and cheese puffs.

Another trend in catering services is the use of eco-friendly packaging and locally sourced ingredients. This is a great way to reduce waste and support local economies. It is also an opportunity for caterers to offer a unique dining experience that will make their customers talk about them.

Offering health and wellness options can help increase customer loyalty, increase repeat business, and increase revenue. These trends are expected to continue to grow as people become more aware of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. In addition, they are becoming more demanding when it comes to food and drink quality. For example, they want to see more high-quality, organic ingredients and less salt, sugar, and other unhealthy additives in their foods.

Food and beverage pairing

Food and beverage pairing is a catering trend that’s perfect for event planners looking to impress their guests with unique and delicious combinations. It’s a way to show off your creativity and offer guests an experience they won’t forget.

When planning your menu, start with the basic flavor profiles of sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. This will help you pair your foods and drinks more effectively. Once you have assigned these flavors to your dishes, you can work backwards to find the best beverages to match them. The goal is to create harmony between the flavors of your dish and the drink, so that neither overpowers the other.

Food and wine connoisseurs are often eager to learn more about the pairing process and may be interested in attending food and wine events or workshops to expand their culinary horizons. This makes food and wine pairing a profitable business model for the right catering company.

Interactive dining

When you think of catering, you typically imagine a lavish buffet or a set menu for your event. However, you can take your food and catering services to the next level by adding interactive dining to your experience. This trend involves more than just a meal; it is a unique way to interact with your friends and enjoy Asian gastronomy in a social setting.

Interactive restaurant tables (IRTs) are digital tools that offer customers a range of interactive content and services. They enable diners to browse digital menus, view images and descriptions of dishes, check nutritional information, and order directly from their table. They also allow diners to access entertainment options such as games or social media.

This interactive dining trend has become more popular in recent years. The trend is likely to continue as more customers look for personalized experiences that cater to their individual needs. This can include anything from customized menus to a more personalized service from wait staff. In addition, it may help to increase sales by attracting new customers.

Small and shared plates

Whether serving a small mobile food market for a company picnic or hosting a cocktail party at a luxury tent, catering services can transform a meal into an experience. They can also provide boxed lunches for in-person events. These caterers can deliver food to attendees in a safe, secure environment and offer customizable menu options for guests with dietary restrictions or allergies.

A build-your-own menu is a popular catering trend for customers who are seeking more variety and personalized dining experiences. These dishes allow diners to choose their own portion sizes and eat according to their food preferences. It also helps restaurants control food costs and improve profitability.

Millennials are adventurous eaters, and they enjoy trying different foods when they dine out or order-in. This trend has driven many restaurants to offer a variety of small plates on their menus. These small portions can be served as appetizers or entrees and are often shared by diners. Examples of small plates include tapas, Italian antipasto, Chinese dim sum, and Middle Eastern mezze.

Comfort food

For many people, comfort food is something familiar that evokes happy memories or tastes really, really good. It may be a favorite childhood meal like macaroni and cheese or fried chicken sandwich, a hearty bowl of chili or an old-fashioned ice cream treat. It can also be a traditional holiday dish like turkey and mashed potatoes or a slow-cooked pot roast.

While comfort foods can make you feel better in the short term, they are often high in fat, sugar and calories and sometimes lack basic nutrients. They can also lead to weight gain which is a source of stress for many people.

Interestingly, researchers have found that the emotional response from comfort food can switch off the brain’s signal that indicates you have had enough to eat. This can lead to overeating and subsequent stress-related health issues. This suggests that we should not be relying on comfort food to get us through difficult times. Instead, try to find other ways to deal with stress. For example, exercise or social activities may provide the same soothing sensation of a comforting meal.

Ghost or cloud kitchens

Ghost kitchens are a growing trend in food catering. These kitchens specialize in preparing delivery and takeout orders for restaurants and other businesses that don’t have a dine-in area. They reduce overhead costs and boost operational efficiency. This business model also allows restaurants to focus on their food product and customer satisfaction.

Another advantage of a ghost kitchen is that it can be easily adapted to fit the needs of different clients. It can handle multiple cuisines and even accommodate different dietary preferences. This flexibility is especially important for a fast-paced industry.

However, establishing brand identity and building customer trust can be challenging for virtual restaurants. It’s essential to stay up-to-date with technological advances and evolving market trends to achieve success in this competitive industry. In addition, it’s crucial to prioritize customer satisfaction and offer a great value to your customers. This will help your ghost or cloud restaurant grow in the future.

Health and wellness

Health and wellness is becoming more of a focus in food catering services. Caterers are starting to offer more plant-based options on their menus, which not only appeals to health-conscious consumers but also reduces the environmental impact of animal agriculture.

Another trend in healthy catering is the use of color and texture to create a more appealing meal. This includes food mashups, such as dessert pizza, which combines sweet and spicy flavors to satisfy a variety of appetites. Other healthy catering options include plant-based foods, meals in bowls, and quinoa salads.

Many caterers are using technology to make their services more convenient and efficient for their customers. This can include online ordering systems, mobile apps, and automation tools to streamline processes and save money. These technology innovations are also helping caterers to stay competitive by offering more personalized experiences. These trends are shaping the future of food catering, and can help businesses to thrive in an increasingly crowded industry.