Another trend Af&Co. noted was mix of classic, nostalgic dishes with a modern twist. Classic vegetable crudité is served on ice, and with a not-so-classic sunflower seed hummus and hemp oil dip, at Acacia House in Napa, California.
A catering trend that's here to stay is Instagram-worthy visual elements. Kimpton chefs and bartenders say 2018 menu planning will take into consideration sensory dishes and cocktails that include imaginative and artful visual elements ideal for social sharing. The Outsider, a rooftop bar at the Journeyman Hotel in Milwaukee, features a cocktail made with sherry and cream, which is garnished with a flowering herb bouquet and zebra-striped straw.
Andrea Correale, founder and C.E.O. of New York-based catering company Elegant Affairs, said that health food trends will again be prominent in 2018 for clients focused on fitness and nutrition. For people on keto, paleo, vegan, or vegetarian diets, said that an ideal option is a bar offering a variety of ingredients for customized Buddha Bowls, which usually consist of vegetables, healthy grains, and protein.
