Catersource State of the Industry 2024
Sharing an experience In all aspects of life, we’re demanding bigger, better, more vibrant experiences that we won’t forget—and why should the food we eat be any different? We’re in an era of sensory overload, and it’s time to lean into that. Diners are keen to see chefs tear up the rulebook and experiment more—they want wild fusion and a no-holds-barred approach to the dishes they see on the menu. The future of dining is about seeing food as a form of escapism, a vision that is achieved through the need to surprise and challenge diners with sensorial dishes that are designed to delight. “One of the biggest wins has been meeting the demand for personalized, story-driven events—clients want experiences that feel unique, and we’ve delivered that through creative, tailored menus and setups,” says Lauren Eck (Wolfgang Puck Catering). “Clients are looking for events that don’t just entertain but also feel memorable and unique, with every detail customized to reflect their vision, company, or theme. Whether it’s bold décor, interactive food stations, or stunning presentation, these memorable touches are now essential to be successful and almost a requirement for every event. Gone are the days of a standard buffet with chafing dishes.” Additionally, we’re living in a time of increased connectivity, which means that unique, playful, and multi-sensory dining experiences are more celebrated than ever; through beautiful food boards or cross- cuisine mash-ups, diners have the opportunity to enjoy food together, creating organic conversations and a sense of community. “We have this crazy, upside-down world, and it’s such a heavy world, and people really want to escape from that world and enter into a dream,” said Perelman. Good food is great; good food wrapped up in an immersive, photo-worthy, theatrical experience is better (23% of survey respondents indicated that immersive/ interactive experiences were one of the top requested trends in 2024). This highly engaging form of food service is in high demand, too: Eventbrite found that 75% of diners believe it’s worth paying more for a one- of-a-kind experience. Gone are the days of an isolated activation moment. Now, clients want to weave the photo moments into the entire fabric of the event. Caterers now need to make the full duration of their event social media-ready—it’s time to say goodbye to the singular Instagram moment. “Creative food displays have become a popular element of photo opportunities at catered events, with food displays now designed not just to satisfy taste
(Above) As guests took their seats at the table during a dinner with Unilever Food Solutions (as part of the National Restaurant Association Show) at Esmé, they were welcomed with an elaborate arrangement at the center of the table. This centerpiece wasn’t just for show, however; hidden within the grass was the evening’s first course, thus challenging guests to “forage for their dinner.” Featured items included: Fava Bean Tarts, Sunflower & Caviar bites, and Strawberry and Wagyu tartlets. Photo courtesy Ambercita; (Right) Perfect Paloma + Sparkling Tropical Mocktail from Colette’s Catering & Events. Photo courtesy Lisette Gatliff
WINTER 2024 ■ CATERSOURCE
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