2023

A charcuterie plate from Minneapolis-based D'Amico Catering, featuring Manchego, whipped ricotta, prosciutto, Genoa salami, beech mushrooms, pistachios and fresh herbs. Photo by Märit Williams Photography

Festive Foods

’Tis the season to get those holiday menus ready! If you’re still working on the details, get inspired by the highlights shared by the caterers profiled here. But don’t wait too long—according to CFE’s sources, clients are booking early and are eager to celebrate the season!

D’Amico Catering’s low-proof Lillet Winter Spritz. Photo by Laura Rae Photography

Raising the Bar

Are you offering drinks that entice guests to come back for more? Are you enhancing events with festive bars that add to the atmosphere?

Pom Fizz Cocktail from Abigail Kirsch

Holiday Sips

Help guests ring in the season with these cocktail and mocktail recipes.

Windows Catering in Washington, D.C., consults the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch list to ensure the seafood it serves—such as this halibut dish—is sustainable.

Going Greener

When Michael Oshman founded the Green Restaurant Association in 1990, he often had to explain what “greening” meant. “Everybody literally brought up Kermit the Frog,” he says with a laugh.

Eco-Friendly Products

If you’re looking to increase the use of ecofriendly products in your business, you’re not alone. “Sustainability is top of mind across the foodservice industry, and there has been a notable and escalating desire for environmentally friendly solutions,” says Stephny Halstead, vice president, marketing and new product development for Sabert Corporation.

Chef Stephanie Michalak White’s roasted squash and herbed millet salad with tahini dressing

Reaping the Harvest

Adherents of plant-based diets have more fast-food options than ever. Want a meat-free Whopper at Burger King? No problem—have it your way. Looking for dairy-free milk at Starbucks? You can choose from four varieties.

Engaging visual decor includes creative buffets and stations, such as this Albany Capital Center display at a retirement party.

Mastering Social Media

We live in a day and age where anything worth seeing is captured on our phones. For better or for worse, our lives, the places we go and the events we attend are on full public display via various social media platforms.

When you’re trying to create a culture of safety, it’s critical to involve all staff.

Train Your Catering Staff in Food Safety

Although the U.S. food supply may be the safest in the world, foodborne illnesses such as salmonella and listeria still affect millions of Americans every year. In fact, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services, roughly one in six are impacted by these illnesses across the U.S.

The PreciTaste AI kitchen management system, one of the 2023 KI Award recipients

The Right Stuff

If you’re looking to save time and money in the kitchen—and who isn’t?—make sure you’re up-to-date on the latest innovations taking place in foodservice equipment. According to industry experts and manufacturers, many of the products and appliances debuting on the market are designed to cut down on labor and trim expenses.

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