There’s no doubt about it—Americans love to grill. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults own a grill or smoker, according to a 2020 survey by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. And the lockdowns of last summer gave them plenty of time to practice their craft during backyard cookouts.
Hopefully we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic and its transformative effect on catered events. Yet even during the strictest days of lockdown, innovative caterers found ways to help clients celebrate events from home. And according to the two top caterers profiled here, clients will continue to book similar events even when society emerges from the COVID-19 danger zone—and the loyalty earned during these trying times will pay off for years to come.
The food served at the beginning of an event often sets the tone for the entire affair—even when it comes to safety considerations. Catering, Foodservice & Events asked four caterers how they’re changing their appetizer and hors d’oeuvre offerings to ensure they’re being served safely in a COVID-cautious world.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created incredible challenges for the foodservice industry. In the absence of corporate events and group gatherings, caterers have had to pivot and find new strategies. Gone (for now) are the days of client referrals, where one great event leads to many more.
No one in the wedding industry will forget this year anytime soon. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted couples everywhere to change their 2020 wedding plans. Approximately 50 percent of weddings scheduled for this year have been postponed to 2021, estimates Richard Markel, president of the Association for Wedding Professionals International.
As vice president of Cameron Mitchell Premier Events (CMPE) in Columbus, Ohio, Melissa Johnson oversees a team that generates more than $15 million in revenue for the Cameron Mitchell Restaurant group, one of the largest and most successful independent restaurant groups in the country. Johnson has been working closely with meeting groups to develop guidelines and practices to ensure health and safety are the top priority for any event or gathering they plan.
The holidays may look a bit different this year, but there will always be reason to eat, drink, and be merry. Like their food counterparts, bar caterers have had to adjust their businesses in the post-COVID world. Here we profile four from across the country, who share how they’re adapting, what drinks are trending and a favorite cocktail recipe they serve during the holiday season. Plus we round up product ideas and wine suggestions for elevating your own bar offerings
The outdoors is “in” these days, as open-air spaces allow for social distancing, not to mention a healthy dose of sunshine and fresh air.
While not all cuisines mesh well with this more casual, often on-the-go type of dining, there’s one broad category that does—Mediterranean. In fact, the foods and flavors from countries on the Mediterranean Rim—including Greece, Spain, southern France and Italy, the Middle East and North Africa—are growing in popularity for more reasons than one.
The outdoors is “in” these days, as open-air spaces allow for social distancing, not to mention a healthy dose of sunshine and fresh air.
While not all cuisines mesh well with this more casual, often on-the-go type of dining, there’s one broad category that does—Mediterranean.
On March 12, Chowgirls Killer Catering in Minneapolis had been planning to celebrate its 16th anniversary with a party for more than 400 guests. Instead—as the COVID-19 crisis sent shockwaves through the country—the company canceled the celebration and soon began turning its entire operation over to feeding the hungry.
