Hanging Bavarian pretzel station during the Opening Night Party.
Deliver a moment Innovations in food and beverage delivery at events have evolved to offer both efficiency and spectacle, making dining an interactive experience. Today’s event guests aren't content with traditional butler passing or station design anymore; they’re looking for creativity, innovation, and the “wow” moment. Caterers are stepping up the challenge by finding unique and engaging ways to pass items to guests. One standout method is the revival of hawker trays, where roaming vendors equipped with wearable serving stations move through crowds, offering bites and drinks on the go. These mobile food stations reduce congestion at food stations while keeping attendees engaged with an interactive, nostalgic experience. Hawker trays themselves can even go beyond the expected through the use of lighting, color, and unique vessels. Another exciting trend is the use of conveyor belts (turn to page 08 for more on how to incorporate this method) to deliver food directly to guests. At high-end festivals and VIP areas of sporting events, diners can pick from a rotating selection of small bites and beverages without needing to wait in line. Hanging food displays, such as suspended pretzels or zipline-style delivery systems, add an element of surprise and spectacle to the experience. Beverage trucks and trailers that incorporate built-in tap systems have long been popular, and now this has given rise to “wine trikes,” a pedal-powered mobile wine bar that brings beverages directly to guests. Some high-tech events have even introduced robotic arms that pass food to guests with precision and flair (as noted above). These innovations not only enhance efficiency but also add an element of entertainment, making food service an integral part of the event itself. “Why serve food the old-fashioned way when you can turn it into a spectacle,” said Pacheco. “Events are making sure the ‘how’ is just as exciting as the ‘what.’” *LUX Catering & Events is a proud member of the Leading Caterers of America, a consortium of the top catering and event planners throughout the United States and Canada. All photos courtesy Ivan Pieda Photography/Dana Gibbons Photography/SpotMyPhotos/AGNYC Productions Inc
Want more from Catersource + The Special Event? Check out the following recaps from the conference, and make sure to stay tuned to catersource.com for more post-conference coverage. • That's a Wrap on Catersource + The Special Event 2025 • A Look Back at Art of Catering Food 2025 • Connect Social Kicks of CS+TSE 2025 with an "Old Florida Oasis" • CS+TSE 2025: Education on the Menu • An Event Evolution: Inside the CS+TSE 2025 Opening Night Party • CS+TSE 2025: There’s No Place Like Home • Your 2025 DICED Champion: Chef Paul Acosta • CS+TSE 2025: Closing Night Celebration Thank you to every speaker, sponsor, attendee, volunteer, and more who made this show such a thrilling success.
CATERSOURCE ■ SPRING 2025
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