In the world of corporate events, one thing is unchanged: attendees are going to be taken through a superior experience. Beyond presentations and networking sessions, perhaps the most vital building block to any conference, there’s one often overlooked detail that makes all the difference: food. Whether you’re a seasoned event organiser or are planning your first corporate catering food party, here are five catering trends you can’t afford to miss for your 2024 corporate event.
1. Portable Plates
Any corporate event would require an encouraging spirit for engagement and networking for the people involved. As a corporate event planner, you would be advised to allow time and plan activities that will amplify your guests’ level of interaction and further relationships with one another.
You want your attendees always on the go, be it in sessions, with colleagues, or on their feet on the dance floor. That’s why portable plates are a huge trend for corporate events in 2024 and are acquired by the best catering for parties. Portable plates are savoury munchies easily consumed on the move. Sliders, kebobs, pizza slices, and empanadas are all fair game.
At food stations placed around the venue, smart corporate event planners are serving grab-and-go bites to consumers who want to move freely around an event. What’s more, this has helped improve event flow and allowed attendees to have a bite to eat and drink in their own good time.
2. Vegan Variety
A popular trend for corporate events in 2024 will be menus designed to accommodate dietary needs and preferences. Plant-based and vegan diets have gained great momentum in recent years. More people than ever consider themselves gluten- or lactose-intolerant, and the like. What was once considered “extra” is now standard.
Moving into 2024, companies will have to provide inclusive menus for the various eating needs of their attendees at events. Offer vegan, plant-based, and food-sensitive choices that taste just as great, are varied, and look just as appetizing as the headlining courses. These aren’t days when one has to make do with salad alternatives and tasteless vegetables.
Such an experienced corporate event catering company will be able to provide a highly varied and delicious multi-course menu, considering all preferences and restrictions without giving in to flavour and presentation.
3. Global Cuisine
Over the years, the concept of food in corporate events has been turned upside down, and more businesses than ever are willing to open their arms toward the world in all its colourful, diverse flavours. Business events are nothing but opportunities to converge the culturally diverse professional force in multiple industries and regions.
International dining plays a part in expressing and celebrating this diversity in tastes, ingredients, and gastronomic traditions from different parts of the world. Be it Japanese sushi, Indian curry, or Greek kebabs, each dish has a story to be told, enabling the guest to experience different cultures without leaving the conferencing venue. Serving global cuisine is not just a form of celebration of diversity; it is also one surefire way to elevate the experience.
At events, attendees remember food. Global cuisine helps with taking the dining experience to the next level since it concerns unique, unforeseen food options. For example, instead of normal sandwiches for lunches, provide a taco bar where guests can customise their lunch to their taste and dietary restrictions. If you really want to carry the global theme all the way through, consider pairing your food with your décor and entertainment.
4. Sustainable Sourcing
Therefore, companies wishing to appear to take the issues of environmental interest and corporate social responsibility seriously must provide sustainable catering at meetings and events. Sustainable catering really is now the hot trend to follow in the corporate event industry of 2024. So, exactly what is sustainable catering?
Sustainable catering is preparing food and beverages with the least possible unpleasant environmental, social, and economic effects for events, meetings, or any social occasion.
Here are three ways to go about it in a sustainable manner at your 2024 corporate event:
- Use of Locally Sourced Ingredients: One of the most effective ways of incorporating sustainable catering at a corporate event is to work with a catering company that sources ingredients locally and in season. It ensures minimal transport emissions, supports local communities, and guarantees freshness of quality.
- Reducing Food Waste: Food waste is a big issue with corporate events, but with an experienced corporate event caterer, you’ll be better guided in your estimations regarding attendees and portions and offered ways to reuse any extra food.
- Opt for Sustainable Packaging: If you are expecting a large corporate turnout, then the number of single-use plastics consumed could be huge. Consider giving an eco-friendly option, like compostable or biodegradable packaging, which may prevent waste generation and pollution. You may also encourage event participants to carry their portable water bottles and coffee cups along to help in further reducing waste.
5. Interactive Installations
Experiential events aren’t just a fad anymore—it’s a necessity. For instance:
- DIY Food Stations: Set up food stations where attendees can customise their dishes.
- Live Cooking Demonstrations: Ask your catering service to provide chefs to conduct the live cooking session attendees can watch and learn about the food preparing.
- Food and Beverage Pairing: This is for those who want to add some networking fun.
The Bottom Line
If you are looking for a reliable catering company in Dubai, Best Catering in Dubai has got you covered with the list of top catering companies. They provide you with a wide range of catering company options, from small private parties to large corporate events, weddings, and birthday catering food.
These caterers have gained recognition for their exceptional food quality and top-notch service. You can be confident in the quality of the catering services by choosing from this list. This catering platform simplifies your decision-making process, ensures quality, and provides a variety of options for your event.
