Food Trends

Nearly three-quarters of consumers say they are willing to pay more for eco-friendly packaging.

Green Is Good

Your customers are most likely paying attention to whether the products you use in your business are environmentally friendly. According to a report by the World Wildlife Fund published in May, internet searches for sustainable goods worldwide increased by 71 percent in the last five years.

Many caterers have found success with grab-and-go offerings.

Boxing Up Some Excitement

Like many caterers before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Anne Lloyd—who owns Nolavore Catering and Commissary Kitchen in New Orleans—was mostly focused on traditional event catering.

The prepared meal market is growing.

Delivering the Goods

There’s no doubt about it—people will pay for convenience. The global meal kit delivery services market is expected to grow from $10.26 billion in 2020 to almost $20 billion by 2027, according to Grand View Research.

THE STAYING POWER OF BBQ

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.

A turn-key, at-home Dinner Party from Marcia Selden Catering. Photo by Andreas & Nico Photography

Bringing the Party Home

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.

Caterers are often presenting appetizers in safe single servings.

Off to a Good Start

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.

Many caterers created takeout and delivery menus after the pandemic brought in-person events to a halt in 2020.

Catering Outlook for 2021

In the May/June 2020 issue, Catering Magazine asked seven seasoned caterers how they were “Weathering the Storm” in our cover story about the devastating business impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Raising the Bar

Make sure bar glasses are sparkling and hygienic with the GP-100 Glass Polisher from Bar Maid Corporation. Lightweight and portable, the GP-100 makes glassware polishing fast and easy, while reducing unhygienic handling, labor costs and risk of injury associated with hand polishing.

Shaking It Up

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

Dawnelle Dutcher opened Pompeii Wood Fired Pizza over a decade ago.

Mad for Mediterranean (Part 2)

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.

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