Corporate event catering sets the tone for any company gathering. The food fuels attendees and shapes their experience and perception of the event. As companies plan meetings, conferences, and celebrations in 2024, they want to create an impactful event through thoughtful catering.
Staying on top of the latest catering trends allows companies to design modern, memorable events. Certain menu choices and service styles can make an event feel fresh and exciting. On the other hand, outdated or uninspired catering can make even the most well-planned event fall flat.
Corporate event planners must understand where catering is headed in 2024. They can craft events that impress and delight attendees by tapping into the top catering trends. From sustainable foods to interactive stations, companies have many options to make their events delicious and distinctive. Learn more in this blog post by The Office Caterer.
Contents
Sustainability
Sustainability is becoming more important for corporate event catering in 2024. Locally sourced, organic ingredients are a great way to reduce your event’s carbon footprint.
Work with farms in your area to source produce, dairy, meat, and other ingredients. This supports local economies and reduces emissions from long-distance transportation.
Be sure to communicate this to attendees when sourcing locally and organically. Create signage or other displays that tell the story behind the food. This shows your commitment to sustainability. You can also list farms you partner with on menus and food labels. Keep sustainability top of mind when designing recipes and menus for corporate events in 2024.
Nutrition
Nutrition should be a top priority when planning the menu for a corporate event.
With long events and catering for hundreds of guests, it’s important to provide healthy, nutritious options to energize and focus attendees.
Some tips for nutritious catering:
- Offer a selection of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts, and seeds. These provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
- Avoid heavy, fried, and processed foods, which can lead to fatigue.
- Include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
- Offer smaller portion sizes of desserts.
- Provide low-calorie drinks like water, unsweetened tea, and coffee.
- Have signage and labels highlighting healthier choices.
- If breakfast is served, include fresh fruit, oatmeal, yogurt, eggs, and whole grain options.
- For lunch and dinner, feature salads, grilled vegetables, whole grains, baked or grilled chicken, fish, or plant-based proteins.
- Offer snacks like hummus, guacamole, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit to keep energy levels up.
Making nutrition a priority shows the company cares about employees’ and guests’ well-being. It also promotes productivity and engagement. Corporate catering can be healthy and delicious with creative, tasty dishes.
Food Stations
Food stations provide a more interactive catering experience compared to traditional buffets. They allow guests to see their freshly prepared food and customize their plates. Food stations are more hygienic than buffets since guests must handle shared serving utensils.
Some popular food station ideas for corporate events in 2024 include:
- Live Cooking Stations
- Carving Stations
- Salad Bars
- Sushi Stations
- Taco/Fajita Stations
- Waffle/Pancake Stations
- Mac and Cheese Stations
- Mashed Potato Stations
The interactive element makes food stations a fun, memorable experience for guests while allowing them to personalize their meals. This will be a popular catering trend for corporate events in 2024 and beyond.
Vegan/Vegetarian
Plant-based, meatless options are becoming increasingly popular at corporate events.
Caterers should be prepared to provide tasty and satisfying vegan and vegetarian dishes. Some ideas include:
- Vegetable crudités with hummus or avocado dip
- Grilled vegetable kebabs
- Portobello mushroom burgers
- Veggie wraps or sandwiches
- Vegan pasta salads
- Bean or lentil dishes like chickpea curry or lentil shepherd’s pie
- Tofu or tempeh stir fries
- Vegan pizza with dairy-free cheese
- Falafel with tzatziki sauce
- Bean or vegetable tacos or fajitas
- Quinoa or rice bowls with roasted veggies
It is made easier for guests with dietary restrictions to locate something to eat when vegan and vegetarian alternatives are prominently labeled. Make plant-based dishes bold and flavorful rather than just removing meat or dairy. Corporate caterers can now provide tasty and satisfying meatless meals with creative vegan ingredients like jackfruit, hearts of palm, and cashew cheese.
Food Variety
Corporate catering menus should feature multicultural cuisine to appeal to diverse workforces and changing palates.
Gone are the days of serving the same chicken, pasta, and salad at every event. Instead, incorporate more global flavors from Asia, the Mediterranean, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. This lets you showcase new ingredients, cooking methods, and spice blends.
For example, build a taco bar with authentic salsas, fillings, and toppings like carne asada, carnitas, guacamole, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, and corn tortillas. Or create a ramen station with broths, noodles, proteins, mushrooms, veggies, soft-boiled eggs, and garnishes.
Remember vegan and vegetarian options like chana masala, vegetable biryani, mushroom bourguignon, cauliflower tikka masala, and vegan pad thai. Having diverse flavors and dietary options makes everyone feel included. It shows that your event cuisine is thoughtful, creative, and reflects contemporary tastes.
Desserts
Desserts are an important part of any corporate event catering menu. In 2024, mini desserts and elaborate dessert stations will be popular options.
Mini desserts allow guests to sample a variety of bite-sized treats. Consider an assortment of mini cupcakes, macarons, brownies, and cookies presented in a fun way. Stack cookies in shot glasses or line up macarons in a rainbow of colors.
Dessert stations take things up a notch. Hire a chef to make crepes, banana foster, or ice cream sundaes to order. Set up a donut wall with a variety of flavors and toppings. Bring a chocolate fountain with fruit, marshmallows, and other goodies for dipping.
The presentation of desserts will be almost as important as how they taste. Use heights, textures, and colors to create visual interest. Suspend donuts from the ceiling or stack macarons in a pyramid.
Whatever dessert options you choose, remember guests have high expectations for this sweet ending. Deliver variety, visual appeal, and, of course, great taste.
Beverages
Beverages are an important part of any corporate event catering. In 2024, caterers will offer more specialty coffee drinks, craft cocktails, and mocktails to impress attendees.
Specialty Coffee Drinks
Caterers will move beyond regular coffee service and have baristas on-site to make lattes, cappuccinos, pour-overs, and other specialty coffee drinks. This allows attendees to get their preferred morning brew made fresh at the event.
Popular specialty coffee drinks like:
- Lattes
- Cappuccinos
- Macchiatos
- Pour overs
- Cold brew
Craft Cocktails
Craft cocktails are a fun way to spice up the bar at corporate events that serve alcohol. Skilled bartenders can create unique cocktail recipes with fresh ingredients and artful presentation. Signature drinks designed around the company brand or event theme add a special touch.
Some craft cocktail ideas include:
- Herb and citrus-infused gin and tonics
- Whiskey cocktails with homemade bitters or syrups
- Vodka drinks with fresh fruit purees
- Creative takes on classic cocktails like Negronis or Manhattans
Mocktails
For events with non-drinkers, having mocktail options shows that everyone is included. Mocktails mimic the look and feel of cocktails without the alcohol. Popular bases include fruit juices, Italian sodas, ginger beer, and sparkling water. Unique combinations of herbs, syrups, and garnishes make them Instagram-worthy. The presentation matches the craft cocktails so that all guests feel special.
Presentation
Presentation is key for corporate event catering in 2024. Edible flowers and food art allow caterers to elevate and enhance the visual appeal of dishes.
Edible flowers like pansies, roses, and violets can add color, texture, and flavor to appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks. They are not only beautiful but also nutritious. Flowers contain antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds.
Caterers can use flowers to garnish anything from canapés and salads to cakes and cocktails. It’s best to use organic, pesticide-free flowers free of dirt and bugs. Introduce flowers that pair well with the flavors of the dish.
Beyond edible flowers, food art utilizes innovative plating techniques to turn dishes into artful culinary masterpieces. Precision, color, shape, and height are all important. Sculptural effects like food towers require structural elements to hold them together.
Geometric patterns, swooshes, and smears using sauce can beautifully finish a plate. Miniature or micro versions of foods also add visual intrigue. Play with color by incorporating naturally colorful foods or using powdered spices, herbs, or vegetable powders.
Artful presentation engages the eyes before the palate and creates an unforgettable experience for corporate event guests. It showcases the caterer’s creativity and attention to detail. In 2024, edible flowers and food art will be go-to techniques for caterers to elevate presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
You asked, we answered:
What Are Some Trending Corporate Event Catering Ideas for 2024?
For corporate events in 2024, innovative catering ideas include interactive food stations, where guests can customize their dishes, farm-to-table experiences highlighting organic and locally sourced ingredients, and global cuisine menus that take attendees on a culinary world tour. Incorporating plant-based and alternative protein options is also on-trend, as is the focus on sustainability and zero-waste practices.
How Can Technology Enhance Corporate Event Catering in 2024?
Technology can enhance corporate event catering by offering digital menus and ordering systems, enabling guests to select their meals in advance. The use of QR codes for instant access to menu details and the story behind the dishes can create a more engaging experience. Additionally, catering companies may use tech-driven systems for efficient crowd management and to minimize wait times at large events.
What Are Some Examples of Sustainable Catering Practices for Corporate Events?
Sustainable catering practices include using compostable or reusable dishware, avoiding single-use plastics, and prioritizing zero-waste menus where every part of the ingredient is utilized. Choosing caterers who source ingredients from local suppliers to reduce carbon footprint, offering more plant-based options, and ensuring proper food waste management systems are in place are key considerations for 2024.
How Can Corporate Event Catering Accommodate Special Dietary Requirements?
To accommodate special dietary requirements, corporate event caterers can provide labeled menu options for common restrictions such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free. Offering customizable meal options where attendees can select ingredients according to their dietary needs is an inclusive approach. Advanced communication with attendees regarding dietary restrictions is also essential.
Conclusion
As we look ahead to 2024, corporate event catering will continue to evolve based on the latest food trends and guest preferences. Event planners and caterers should stay on top of emerging catering ideas to create memorable dining experiences.
Key trends include sustainability, nutritious choices, interactive food stations, expanded vegan/vegetarian menus, diverse cuisines, artisanal desserts, craft beverages, and upscale presentations. By incorporating these elements, caterers can satisfy diverse tastes while appealing to the increasing demand for fresh, healthy, and environmentally friendly meals.
The corporate event catering landscape is always changing. However, by keeping up with food and catering innovations, event professionals can continue to meet and exceed guest expectations. The ideas showcased inspire crafting distinctive catering menus that will delight attendees while reflecting conscientious preparation and the latest industry advances. With Over a decade of experience, The Office Caterer experts are here to boost your employees productivity by providing high-quality cuisine with a variety of dishes suitable for all tastes. Contact us today to book your caterer today.
by