What’s Cooking? What’s Hot in Catering This Season

Want to make your event a culinary conquest? Turn to these catering trends for a triumph in tastiness this season.

• Local flavor. If your guests are traveling to your event, serve them what the locals love. Madison? Anything with cheese will do. Minneapolis? Walleye will wow them! Denver? Rock their world with Rocky Mountain Oysters. Cuisine that is destination specific will prove a real treat for everyone.

• Cooking experience. Give your group a taste of what’s to come with a cooking demo. Caterers prep meals right before their eyes, which also preps guests’ palates for what’s to come.

• Drink your veggies. You know they’re good for you, so why not serve up the veggies in a cocktail? Seriously. Bartenders are creating concoctions that incorporate veggies such as beets, butternut squash, radishes and more.

• Pretty as a picture. Focus on presentation is even more critical these days. Social media sharing of your stunning spread is a great way to impress your guests while tempting new customers.

• Keep it healthy. Be mindful of all those folks with dietary restrictions by offering a nutrition bar stocked with veggies, healthy grains, and proteins for those who want gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, Mediterranean and more.

• Taste in bloom. Many flowers are edible and can add a wonderful flavor when added to dishes. Try lavender, elderflower, and orange blossoms for an added treat.

Kris McNeely, Content Editor | meetingpages | kris.meetingpages@gmail.com

As a freelance editor and writer for more than twenty years, Kris McNeely has had the opportunity to write and edit everything from non-fiction books to blog posts, web content to white papers, ads to articles. She was named an Erma Bombeck Humor Writer of the Month, has been featured in multiple anthologies, and was selected by Amtrak Railway Service as one of five travel writers from among a pool of 1500 applicants nationwide. In her free time, she likes to jog, garden, travel, and spend time with her two kids and three grandchildren.