The 6th annual Plant Based World Expo (PBWE) North America sowed the seeds for an industry resurgence. The event—which took place Dec. 2-3 at New York City’s Javits Center—combined a lineup of educational programs and a selection of plant-based food product lines, many new to market and most targeting foodservice.
Wondering what menu items will be hot in 2026? Take a look at the 2026 Hospitality Trends Report, jointly issued
Catering plays an increasing role in today’s foodservice industry, especially with a return to offices and foodservice options continuing to diversify. As a result, the demand for convenient, sanitary and scalable catering solutions continues to grow.
At the heart of this is foodservice packaging—a reliable, convenient and sanitary solution that meets the evolving needs of caterers and their customers. From off-site or workplace events to corporate fundraisers and galas, single-use foodservice packaging, used at least once a week by more than 50% of Americans, is proving to be an essential part of modern catering success.
The allure of the great outdoors is proving irresistible to a growing number of catering clients.
“At Constellation Culinary Group, we’ve seen a continued and growing preference for outdoor events across a wide variety of occasions,” says Katia Ponomareva, director of catering for off-premise events. “The pandemic certainly reshaped how people think about gathering spaces, elevating the appeal of fresh air and natural surroundings.”
To meet the rising demand for outdoor affairs, caterers and venues across the country are creating events that are a breath of fresh air.
Caviar carts, sensorial cocktails and corporate events that emphasize flexibility.
Those are just a few of the 2025 industry trends identified by Elite Catering + Event Professionals (ECEP), a collaborative network of leaders from the world’s top catering and hospitality organizations. The organization released the ECEP 2025 Trends Report, compiled during this year’s ECEP Symposium in Napa, California.
Have you tapped into the brewing demand for specialty coffee?
If not, the robust revenue stream may be just the jolt your menu needs. As of 2024, 45% of American adults reported consuming specialty coffee in the past day—an 80% increase since 2011, according to a report from the National Coffee Association. In fact, for the first time, specialty coffee consumption surpassed that of traditional coffee.
There’s a growing appetite for sustainable events. Are you meeting the demand?
According to a recent report from Food for Climate League and Datassential, the foodservice industry research firm, 79 percent of consumers plan to eat more sustainably in the next year. That includes 33 percent who say they never eat sustainable foods but plan to start.
Whether you’re just starting out on your sustainable journey or looking to become even greener, we’ve rounded up 10 strategies to follow to minimize your company’s impact on the environment.
The rich, warm hue of Mocha Mousse—Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025—is adding sophistication to both desserts and décor. Caterer members of ECEP have embraced the earthy brown tone, creating irresistible desserts in the indulgent shade.
A senior event designer at Ridgewells Catering in the Washington, D.C., area, Mary Margaret Hart follows a general rule of thumb when creating a food station or buffet. “You never put anything directly on the table,” she says. “It’s got to be lifted up and not just sitting on a table, because that looks like what we do in our own homes.”
That same guiding principle could apply to what successful caterers do every day—elevate how food looks, tastes and engages the imagination, so the dining experience transcends the quotidian. Food stations, with their thoughtfully composed small plates and inspired themes, are often the perfect vehicles for caterers to show off both culinary and design expertise.
In 2025, catering will continue to transcend the traditional concept of just feeding guests—it’s becoming an art form, an immersive experience designed to engage every sense. At the forefront of this evolution is Constellation Culinary Group, a catering company bringing restaurant-quality cuisine with elevated presentations across a wide range of venues, from cultural landmarks like Carnegie Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art to intimate weddings and high-profile events.
This year’s catering trends emphasize globally inspired flavors, refined interpretations of quiet luxury and more. Discover what’s on the horizon for 2025 with insights from Constellation’s culinary director, Meg Grasso.
