Before Chef Jeremy Langemann—executive chef of Bingemans Catiner ever set foot in a professional kitchen, his love of food was kindled in the warm, familiar embrace of his grandparents’ home. It was there, in the heart of a Mennonite household, that the first sparks of his culinary passion began to grow.
Wondering what menu items will be hot in 2026? Take a look at the 2026 Hospitality Trends Report, jointly issued
Featured Chefs: Albert Warnaar (Smyth Chicago), Mark Margiotta (pretty to think so), Keith Blauschild (The Cook & The Cork), Yoon
When Keith Lord launched Strateje Fourteen in January 2020—just weeks before the pandemic shuttered the events industry—he knew one thing for certain. After decades running high-volume restaurants and catering operations, he was ready to “give back and teach others.”
As the corporate world regains its social rhythm, this year’s holiday event landscape reveals a significant shift in catering trends. Across the country, companies are moving away from lavish displays and toward meaningful, high-quality experiences that emphasize connection, culture and employee appreciation.
As catering evolves, packaging continues to play a critical role in the customer experience. From food safety and performance to waste reduction and circularity, packaging is a way foodservice establishments can elevate their catering offerings. In 2025, we saw several innovations in food packaging, and we anticipate these trends will continue to expand in 2026.
Between them, they’ve catered everything from papal visits to intimate backyard weddings. But when Warren Dietel, Bill Hansen and Kevin Lacassin took the stage at the Florida Restaurant Show in Orlando in November, they came ready to talk about something more universal than their most glamorous gigs: the nitty-gritty of running a catering business in 2025.
The National Restaurant Association released its highly anticipated 2026 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast, highlighting the trends set to shape America’s menus in the coming year. The report, based on insights from hundreds of culinary professionals surveyed in October 2025, reveals that nostalgia, comfort and “flavor escapism” are defining consumer desires in 2026.
Football season is in full swing, then there’s “Drinksgiving,” then New Year’s Eve, followed by the Super Bowl! The fall/holiday
For the third consecutive year, Vestals Catering catered the Cattle Baron’s Ball—the world’s largest single-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. More than 3,200 guests attended the Oct. 25th event, where they were entertained by headliner Post Malone—an alum of the Metroplex’s Grapevine High School. To support the cause, Vestals donated a significant amount of food and labor to the event.
