Food Trends

Thanks to a social-media-hungry public and the rise of foodie culture, today's caterers need to be constantly feeding the imagination of event guests with new, original, and—above all—delicious cuisine. From the latest trends in wedding and corporate catering to functional tips for food displays and specialty menus, food has become a sophisticated medium and an integral element to an event’s theme, brand message, or identity. Here are the most up-to-date trends in catering, ideas for unique food presentations, and tips and strategies from food festivals and tastings. Find catering ideas for breakfast and brunch, lunch, dinner, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and more.

Dark, milk, and white chocolate slabs with toppings such as seeds, dried fruit, and nuts flash frozen with nitrogen and smashed with mallets, by Wolfgang Puck Catering in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington
Appetite for Destruction: 8 Dishes That Guests Can Smash, Melt, and Crush
Food TrendsJuly 15, 2019
Detroit-based event medical services company CrowdRx’s Rampart Mobile Emergency Room is a temporary hospital that’s designed to provide medical care at a major event like a summer music festival (it’s also suited for the site of a disaster). The 1,000-square-foot trailer comes equipped and staffed to manage minor to severe emergency medical conditions, and it is self sustaining for the first 72 hours via generators.
4 New Products and Services for Summer Events
Food TrendsJuly 11, 2019
The second edition of Rosé Day L.A., presented by Corkcicle, took place at Saddlerock Ranch on June 8. The Instagram-friendly day was produced by Ben Biscotti of 1iota Productions, Tony Schubert of Event Eleven, chef Marc Forgione, nightlife veteran Bobby Rossi, and hospitality pros Sylvain Bitton, JT Torregiani, and David Jarrett. Highlights included a rosé beer garden, pink trees from Greenset and florals from Floral Crush, and rentals from Town and Country, Designer8, and FormDecor. Topping off the event? A petal shower in which five million rose petals were showered from a helicopter.
This Week in Los Angeles: a Rosé-Inspired Picnic, a Dragon-Theme Birthday Cake, Santa Monica's New Food Tour
Food TrendsJune 14, 2019
To celebrate Deadwood: The Movie, which premieres on HBO today, the network's Lauren McMahon worked with longtime collaborator Billy Butchkavitz on an immersive Western theme. Held on May 14 at the Sunset Room in Hollywood, the event had a Western feel with an 18-foot tree and a mausoleum wall from Agile Eye Solutions. Additional vendors included Images by Lighting and Town & Country Event Rentals; Plan-it Interactive created a casino, and a jail cell photo op had photography by MirMir.
This Week in Los Angeles: 'Deadwood: The Movie' Premiere Party, Kylie Jenner's Skincare Launch, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Opens
Food TrendsMay 31, 2019
Full Frontal With Samantha Bee's second edition of the 'Not The White House Correspondents Dinner' took place Friday night at DAR Constitution Hall and aired on TBS on Saturday at the same time as the correspondents' association dinner. The show's event partners were Civic Entertainment Group with set design from 513 and lighting by Atmosphere.
White House Correspondents' Association Dinner: Elegant Design and Catering Ideas From Washington's Biggest Weekend
Food TrendsMay 2, 2019
For a private wedding, held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington in March 2018, Favored by Yodit Events & Design created golden menus with cherry blossom frames to mimic the event’s theme.
10 Creative Menu Designs Your Guests Will Eat Up
Printing & GraphicsApril 24, 2019
Brooklyn Museum’s annual fund-raising gala took place April 16. The event, which was designed by David Stark Design and Production, featured a Frida Kahlo theme, inspired by the museum’s new exhibition “Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving.” The ceiling of the museum’s Beaux-Arts Court featured a cascade of colorful “papel picado” decorations. The event drew more than 1,200 guests and raised more than $1.9 million for the museum’s exhibition and education programs.
10 Best Ideas of the Week: a Frida Kahlo-Inspired Crocheted Photo Booth, an AR Cherry Blossom Cocktail Bar, a Money-Theme Infinity Room
Food TrendsApril 19, 2019
Crystal dining room at Arthur’s Restaurant
Q&A: Catching Up with Steven Salm of Chase Hospitality Group
Food TrendsApril 17, 2019
San Diego-based bakery Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. creates custom wedding cakes, including a 10-foot cake—the largest the company has ever created—that served as a centerpiece during a reception. The massive dessert consisted of vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting.
14 Over-The-Top Ideas For Wedding Cakes
Food TrendsApril 8, 2019
3d PR & Marketing's third annual wellness retreat took place at a private estate in Malibu from March 30 to 31. The weekend drew 40 lifestyle and wellness influencers for daily workouts with Victoria's Secret model trainer Justin Gelband, plus guided meditation sessions, scenic hikes, and brand activations. Skincare brand Foreo offered facials and an Instagram-friendly, boho-chic set-up produced by Stoelt Productions.
This Week in Los Angeles: an Insta-Friendly Skincare Activation, Cocktails in an Igloo, Boycotts at the Beverly Hills Hotel
Food TrendsApril 5, 2019
For the month of April, Tao Group’s restaurant brands will raise money for autism organizations and initiatives through the sales of special blue-hued menu items. Beauty & Essex locations in New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles, will serve the Blue Wonder Wheel—a selection of blue desserts served in blue lace cups on a miniature Ferris wheel.
10 Best Ideas of the Week: a 'Project Runway' Video Booth, a Luxe Peacock Tablescape, a Blue Dessert Ferris Wheel
Food TrendsMarch 29, 2019
Prairie opened in October in the Mission District with a new spin on Italian classics: Chef Anthony Strong uses charcoal grills to make dishes like coal-roasted white sweet potato with burnt scallion creme fraiche, agrodolce, and bonito flakes. The 2,300-square-foot-restaurant incorporates ash wood tables and decor touches like a metallic rose gold statue of the Virgin Mary. Prairie seats 70 diners.
10 New San Francisco Venues for Spring 2019 Meetings and Events
Food TrendsMarch 15, 2019
In January, restaurateur Ashok Bajaj transformed his power-dining favorite Penn Quarter American brasserie Nopa Kitchen & Bar into a new Mediterranean restaurant called Olivia. The name and cuisine is inspired by an “olive tree,' drawing on the flavors of Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, and Greece with dishes like spicy merguez meatballs, braised short rib tagine, and roasted carrot hummus. Martin Vahtra of Projects Design Associates of New York gave the space a new look, with string lights and greenery. Olivia seats 160 diners, with 38 seats at the bar and lounge and three rooms for private dining. The Gallery Room features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking F Street, audiovisual capability, and a working fireplace. This room seats 40 guests or holds 60 for a standing reception. The private LeDroit Room also includes floor-to-ceiling windows and can accommodate 12 to 20 seated guests or 35 guests for a reception. For smaller gatherings, the Adams Room seats 12 guests and is equipped with a 42-inch HD flat screen television.
10 New Washington Venues for Spring 2019 Meetings and Events
Food TrendsMarch 5, 2019
In mid-December, Maple, the Patina Restaurant Group venue located at the main entrance of Descanso Gardens, revealed a full renovation. The new design preserved the building's craftsman features, creating a farmhouse style with mid-century modern accents. Decor highlights include custom-made yellow banquettes, white-washed ceiling beams, and staggered maple trees. The restaurant holds 112 total inside and on its two patios. It sits adjacent to Birch Room, a renovated event space with a patio, custom seating layouts, and a private bar. Birch holds as many as 70 guests.
10 New Los Angeles Venues for Spring 2019 Meetings and Events
Food TrendsMarch 5, 2019
Shannon Boudreau 1600 X900
Podcast: The "Dirty Words" of Event Catering, and Other Insights From a Top Canadian Firm (Episode 137)
GatherGeeksMarch 5, 2019
A chocolate rocher served with coffee chantilly, cake tuile, and chicory meringue, topped with gold leaf, by Patina Catering in Los Angeles
Brew Dishes: 8 Menu Items That Contain Coffee
Food TrendsFebruary 19, 2019
Textured gold vases and candles will add a sleek, upscale vibe to the ballroom.
Oscars 2019: Preview the After-Party's Opulent Theater-Inspired Design
Event Production & FabricationFebruary 15, 2019
New York Fashion Week kicked off February 8 and runs through February 16. At the event’s hub at Spring Studios, sponsor Maybelline had a beauty activation that included an outdoor Instagram-inspired wall for photos with illustrations of “likes” and lips. Sponsors partnered with New York Fashion Week producer IMG to execute activations.
10 Best Ideas of the Week: a Flower-Bombed Elevator, Dessert Trays Held by Helium Balloons, Gold-Record Grammys Decor
Food TrendsFebruary 15, 2019
Colorful French macarons will be served.
Grammys 2019 Preview: Inside the After-Party's Renaissance-Inspired Catering
CateringFebruary 6, 2019
Charlie Palmer 700x467 2 08
Podcast: Chef Charlie Palmer on the New Era of Fine Dining and Events (Episode 131)
GatherGeeksJanuary 29, 2019
Chef Curtis Stone has launched a new catering company, Curtis Stone Events. Based in Los Angeles, the company caters everything from small dinner parties for five to large gatherings for 300, and it specializes in large-format roasting that showcases the whole animal. The company also offers a cocktail program and staffing and rental services.
5 New Ideas for Entertaining in Los Angeles
Food TrendsJanuary 15, 2019
Netflix moved to a new location for its after-party this year, building a tented party space at 9900 Wilshire, the former site of department store Robinson's-May located just steps from the Beverly Hilton. Working with Best Events, the party had a vintage nightclub vibe, with an eye-catching central chandelier made up of individual chandeliers.
Golden Globes 2019: Get Inspired by This Year's Glamorous Parties
Event Production & FabricationJanuary 8, 2019
Hyatt Regency Bethesda announced the completion of its $37 million renovation in February. The suburban Maryland hotel’s 390 guest rooms, facade, lobby, and more than 20,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces underwent an extensive transformation, and it added a new rooftop event space. Architecture firm Gensler's new design scheme emphasizes wood accents and a neutral palette of warm grays throughout the hotel. The Rooftop Downtown Bethesda, which offers views of the surrounding skyline from its floor-to-ceiling windows, spans 2,400 square feet and has space for 180 guests for a reception, 120 for an elegant sit-down dinner, or 90 for an all-day meeting. The renovated Regency Ballroom expands to 7,200 square feet and boasts 16-foot ceilings, with room for 550 guests. The hotel's nine newly designed meeting rooms and two executive boardrooms all feature upgraded technology, innovative lighting, and digital displays. The hotel's Plaza Lawn, renovated mezzanine level, and open-air concourse terrace are also available for events.
Best of 2018: 10 Most Notable Washington Venue Openings of 2018
Food TrendsDecember 28, 2018
The fifth course at the same Blue Plate dinner was called 'Things Aren’t Always As They Seem.' It was meant to surprise the guests, with cheese molded to resemble summer fruits, pumpernickel “dirt,” chocolate-covered “grasshoppers,” edible “pebbles,” and grilled bread.
Best of 2018: Caterers Describe the Coolest Dishes They Created This Year
Food TrendsDecember 20, 2018
Gaige House & Ryokan relaunched in May, offering a zen getaway in Sonoma Valley. The redesign brings a traditional Japanese Ryokan aesthetic to the historic Gaige House. Of the 23 guest rooms, nine are Ryokan Zen Suites situated in a private area of the property. These Zen suites include king beds, fireplaces, private karesansui Zen rock gardens, outdoor patios, and deep granite soaking tubs. A new Meditation Deck along the creek is an ideal place for morning yoga. The hotel's Gathering Room seats 20 guests for board meetings or executive retreats, with sophisticated decor including a wood-burning fireplace, large windows, and access to a peaceful garden terrace.
Best of 2018: 10 Most Notable San Francisco Venue Openings of 2018
Food TrendsDecember 19, 2018
Adriaen Block in Astoria, Queens, serves signature drinks with CBD tinctures such as the Rolled Fashioned with Aperol, Pineau des Charentes, and angostura.
2019 Catering, Food, and Cocktail Trends You Need to Know
CateringDecember 19, 2018
La Peer Hotel opened in West Hollywood’s design district in January. The 105-room Kimpton property features a design by Gulla Jónsdóttir, with earth tones, natural materials, custom furniture, and hand-selected paintings and photography. The hotel has more than 8,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor dining and lounge spaces, including Viale dei Romani, a trattoria by chef Casey Lane that can accommodate 25 guests for private dining. There is also a 16-seat boardroom; a 3,900-square-foot rooftop terrace that holds 200; and the Drawing Room, a 1,000-square-foot space that seats 80 or holds 125 when combined with its outdoor terrace.
Best of 2018: 10 Most Notable Los Angeles Venue Openings of 2018
Food TrendsDecember 17, 2018
Dessert is gluten-free, pistachio cream cheese ivory made with flourless chocolate, vanilla kirsch genoise and cream cheese, and a Charlotte pistachio center.
Golden Globes 2019 Preview: A Sneak Peek at the Show's Three-Course Dinner
CateringDecember 17, 2018