Wondering what goodies for foodies you should be serving up your group at your next meeting or event this year? Consider these top food fads and trends when you are creating your menu:
1. Nutritious Nourishment. As meat-centric menus continue to fade, “clean” eating has continued to grow in popularity. Many now see the health benefits of vegetables and vegetable protein and they are often more easily digestible when attending a long meeting with a lot of siting. Try a plant-based entrée and meat side dish alternatively. From plant based sliders to shrimp, crudités and shrimp the sky is the limit.
2. Gluten-free. With food allergies and sensitivities on the rise, gluten-free legume pastas (which are higher in protein) are replacing grain pastas for dishes that are kinder to the tummy.
3. Keto-friendly. With this diet on the rise, you will see more and more carb free or low carb options, such as buffalo cauliflower, bacon wrapped asparagus, and roasted Brussels sprouts. Menus will also be designed to provide more flexibility to accommodate those following a keto diet such as a fajita salad in lieu of a flour tortilla.
4. Comfort foods. When times seem uncertain, folks tend to gravitate toward those things that are recognizable rather than revolutionary — comfort foods. These are the dishes many associate with memories from when they were kids, e.g., meatloaf, mashed potatoes, pasta, cream soups, or casseroles that mom or grandma used to make. Of course, many are now creatively prepared with alternative ingredients like sweet potatoes, cauliflower, grass-fed beef, and free-range poultry, so they’re both delicious and nutritious.
5. Bite size. The availability of smaller portions results in a healthier and more cost-effective alternative to traditional food service. Variations on Tapas (small portions of Spanish cuisine) or an antipasto bar (selections of traditional first course of an Italian meal) mean less food waste and more abundant choices.
6. Creative Boxed Lunches. With the abundance of safety protocols, a new take on boxed lunches was born. No longer simply a sandwich and chips and pasta salad, but a creative warm meal that can be prepared and individually picked up by the attendees for a warm meal experience with safety top of mind. From grab-and-go to entrees to desserts, this trend is here to stay.
7. Food Walls. Not only do food walls provide a décor element for your event but they also provide a safe way to deliver small bites to your guest and reduce food water. Not to mention, they make for a great Instagram post that will continue to promote the meeting or event after it’s over.
8. Locally Sourced. Using produce and ingredients that are grown within miles of your event often means your food is fresher and naturally tastier. And with the never-ending supply issues since the pandemic it allows you to be able to deliver to your client and attendees the meal you intended.
9. Immune Boosters Breaks. The pandemic naturally pushed wellness to the forefront, and that trend applies to menu choices for meeting breaks. Attendees can now expect to see more immune-boosting, healthy options. From juicing to granola yogurt cups packed with berries carrying antioxidants to sparkling water this trend is here to stay.
10. Mocktails. An increasing number of attendees are cutting back on cocktails, and planners are recognizing that trend. Not only does limiting alcohol encourage healthier habits, it also can reduce the risk of attendees becoming intoxicated and ignoring safety protocols. Among other benefits, attendees who drink less or abstain will feel better and more alert for learning. As a bonus, nonalcoholic drinks are typically less expensive.
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