If you cater events or plan them for a living, you’ve probably felt the ground shift. The open bar isn’t the centerpiece it used to be. More guests are reaching for something non-alcoholic without a second thought, and they’re not apologizing for it.
When Dan Simons and his partners launched Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events in 2022, they weren’t starting from zero. They had a very strong base—a celebrated high-volume restaurant group with nine locations in the Washington, D.C., area and another in Pennsylvania. What the Founding Farmers team discovered with their successful catering arm is that the business is harder than it may seem.
In an exclusive interview with CFE News Editor-in-Chief Sara Perez Webber, renowned chef José Andrés—author of the new book “Spain My Way”—shares his thoughts on how to add Spanish cuisine to a catering menu, the importance of giving guests context for what they are eating and the simple lesson about generosity that has stayed with him since childhood.
Every multicultural menu carries cultural stakes. But Indian cuisine for a South Asian diaspora audience is a specific category of difficulty that most catering operators underestimate, for one reason: the guests are the experts.
For culinary brand Prima Après, partnering with Louisiana State University (LSU) Dining was “the best thing we ever did,” says owner Abney Harper, who founded the company with her husband James Vitrano.
Logan’s Roadhouse is taking guests on a culinary Great American Road Trip this summer, using America’s 250th anniversary and Route 66’s centennial as inspiration for a limited-time-only (LTO) menu available through mid- to late September.
Clients increasingly want catering that does more than serve a meal. They are looking for food that encourages interaction, design that tells a story and an experience that feels personal from beginning to end.
At the 2026 New York Restaurant Show, a panel moderated by CFE News Editor-in-Chief Sara Perez Webber explored the latest catering trends with top New York-area caterers: Robin Selden and Jeffrey Selden of Marcia Selden Catering, Carla Ruben of Creative Edge Parties and Danielle Shapiro of Elior North America. (This is part two of CFE News’ session recap. Click here for part one.)
Celebrity chef, restaurateur and Food Network veteran Tyler Florence spoke with CFE News Editor-in-Chief Sara Perez Webber ahead of his appearance at the California Restaurant Show on Aug. 24. Florence—chef and owner of the Michelin-starred Miller & Lux steakhouse in San Francisco and host of The Great Food Truck Race for nearly two decades—shared his perspective on the challenges facing today’s operators. His message was clear: Restaurants that succeed in today’s market know exactly who they are, who they serve and what problem they solve.
Three dining programs that are part of Chartwells Higher Education—the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and Northeastern University—have been recognized by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) for their commitment to food allergy safety.
In 2026, event design continues its evolution from aesthetic exercise to fully integrated experience strategy.
For hospitality-driven events, the intersection of environment, service and storytelling is more important than ever—where furniture, catering and layout are no longer separate considerations, but part of a cohesive guest journey.
