Must-Know Catering Business Trends

In this article, we will explore some of the newest must-know catering business trends. In 2022 consumers are the most informed generation and the hardest to connect with. They are environmentally conscious about every element of their lives from the clothes they wear to the jobs they have and where their food comes from.

As anyone in marketing knows, you have to find new ways to connect with your customers and it is the same in catering. If you want to build a sustainable business in the catering industry then there are a few key things that are worth your time and effort to invest in.

Trends

Staying ahead of the latest catering business trends is important for providing your clients with the best, freshest, and most exciting flavours. Move with the times and watch your catering company grow. Stick only with what you know and run the risk of getting lost in the ever-expanding catering world.

Every event organiser wants to hire a caterer that people will talk about long after the event. And let’s face it, people talk when they see something new. Whether it’s a completely new ingredient or a classic dish served uniquely, pushing the boundaries while offering high-quality food and service will get guests talking.

Experiential catering

One of the biggest things to come out last year was the knowledge that people want to know where their food comes from. This may not seem like it relates to catering business trends, but it does, and it took the industry by storm. Consumers are becoming more aware, educated and conscious about what they are eating, therefore transparency is key to your food service.

With this in mind, this will be the year of experiential catering, in which clients can immerse themselves in the experience of an interactive catering station. Think pasta station, which allows guests to watch as chefs take pasta raw as a semolina mix, extrude it through a pasta machine, cook the pasta and then toss it in a cheese bowl before serving. Or a pizza station, in which guests can choose their toppings before watching them transform in a hot wood fire oven. Further engage your clients in the process, where guests can create their sliders and choose from pulled beef, lamb, chicken, mushroom or vegetable curry sliders and a range of toppings and sauces. Look for ways to immerse your clients in the cooking process.

Healthy Options

Consumers are extremely aware of what they are putting in their bodies these days so as a caterer you can no longer just flash fry some veg and greens and pass it to them as healthy. They want to know the entire process of where their meal came from, the source, the plate, and everything in between. Healthy catering not only tastes incredible, but it also looks amazing too. It promises slow-release energy and quality brain fuel and using ingredients like brown rice and walnuts, you can release those all-important ‘happy hormones’ to make your clients feel good as they eat.

To run with the healthy food trend, think poke bowls, smoothie bowls, edible flowers, fermented foods and plant-based soups.

Grazing Tables

Grazing tables that allow guests to mingle over rustic bread, local cheeses and a variety of delicious meats and dips will be popular. The more diverse and colourful, the greater the impact your grazing table will have.

The trick to a good grazing table is to not skimp on the good stuff. Sure dragon fruit looks great in terms of presentation, but we guarantee your clients will be clinging to the good cheese and prosciutto. Consider texture too by combining soft and hard cheeses, smooth and coarse crackers, crunchy snacks and melt-in-your-mouth magic. Make your grazing plate pop with passionfruit, figs and edible flowers

Using trends to grow your business

Making it in the catering business requires excellent planning and an ambitious marketing plan. The use of up-to-date catering business trends will help with this. To compete with other caterers you must offer something unique, on-trend, or high-quality. Decide on memorable food, cook it well and build an online following. Review your food every quarter and mix things up if you see a trend dropping off. Enjoy catering software that makes managing your catering simple, and see your business thrive.

If you want to learn more about catering business trends or hear from us directly about the catering business trends we follow, contact our team at Cucumber.