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