6 Food & Beverage Trends for Corporate Event Planners 2024

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It is important to keep up with food and beverage trends to organize and cater a modern and successful event in 2024. A great menu is the foundation of a remarkable event experience; here, one can find a variety of dishes: traditional with a twist and versatile vegan dishes. As audiences continue to engage with better quality content in the foods and beverages they use, your event attendees’ expectations are higher than they used to be. Also, event menus can evolve into important discussions during the promotion phase.

In this article, we will delve into various food and beverage trends that are relevant to corporate event planners in 2024.

1. Part-time vegetarianism

The consumption of vegetables has been on the increase, while other associated diets are also on the increase. Currently, there are five times more vegetarians and vegans in the U. S. than three decades earlier. 

• Reducetarians: These people plan to cut down but not exclude animal-based foods such as meat and milk from their diets.
• Pescatarians: A pescatarian is an individual who consumes fish and other seafood products while having a strict no-no attitude towards most land animals. Some also consume eggs, making them ovo-pescetarians.
• Flexitarians: Pescetarians mainly adhere to a vegetarian diet, but consume meat and fish from time to time.

Since more people are now turning to vegetarian diets then there should be occasions where one will be taught how to prepare tasty vegetarian meals.

2. Healthy options

The option for healthier foods on menus remains prevalent. Some event planners report receiving separate requests for an exclusive health menu. A case in point is smoothies and other similar products. They are packed with essential nutrients, easily fit in the meal or snack plans and are easy on the eyes, which is beneficial to those preparing healthy meals. This trend has continued and has not shown any signs of slowing down

3. Small bites

Small bites remain a favourite of guests during such occasions. It opens up chances for individualisation and innovation so that planners can test out diverse flavours. People can experiment more with small portions since they are not as opposed to large servings. This makes guests look forward to something different something new in their favourite flavours, giving them a surprise on what is offered on the event menu.

4. Exclusive dining experiences

Private clubs which offer meals are becoming more popular among those in search of extraordinary eating experiences. These clubs charge membership fees for their services and the fees range greatly from $250,000 in London to $165 in Portland. However, they all come with unique privileges such as accessing exclusive luxurious dinners and meeting similar-minded individuals.

Sometimes these clubs organise a special event which can be attended by other people who are not members of the club and can glimpse into the luxury life.

Expand on this trend by engaging a cook who works for an elite facility to prepare food, for a larger number of people, or book the use of the club for a more open occasion.

5. Eco-friendly food choices

Menu planning is also embracing sustainability as a key consideration. Consumers have started looking for foods that are produced sustainably with minimal harm to the environment. Among cereals, grains are very important for the soil and these are getting much preference nowadays. This trend is in line with the growing awareness about the consumption of plant-based products and shows a concern towards the environment.

6. Non-alcoholic beverage innovations

A wide range of non-alcoholic beverages is changing the entire beverage industry and consumers’ preferences, especially Generation Z’s; thus, new opportunities are appearing for organisers.

Providing non-alcoholic drinks on an occasion not only presents a cocktail menu for those who do not take alcohol but also brings a sense of elegance to a wedding event.

There is also the increased use of cannabis-infused beverages as the market is projected to be over 50% in 2028. These beverages present another creative solution for event organisers.

How Food and Beverage Shape Your Event

For your event, food will be something to look forward to when it comes to the posts on the social media pages. Menu planning turns into a creative process of a culinary offer that makes consumers look forward to the pleasure of consuming food together. This act of sharing can build people’s acquaintance and rapport, which are among the basic objectives of any meeting. 

Food can create connections between a diverse crowd, and it can make everyone feel like one due to the shared experience. 

• Providing Networking Opportunities: Taking food and beverages presents the best opportunity to catch up with old friends or even indulge in profound conversations with new-found friends. 
• Sparking Creativity: Carefully arranged and decorated foods and dishes create inspiration as does healthy food because a healthy mind and body are creative. 
• Creating a Relaxed Environment for Conversation: One advantage of food and drink is that they are useful for starting small talks, allowing guests to loosen up. 
• Producing Theme Continuity: The event theme can be supported, prolonged, or reinforced using food and beverages, which enhances the overall experience. 
• Keeping Guests Energized at the Venue: If food and drinks are well provided the guests will spend more time and be involved in the event as there will be fewer early dropping out due to hunger. 
• Offering Branding and Sponsorship Opportunities: Food items or glass wares can be imprinted, and some companies may be interested in serving food and drinks in your event in exchange for the guests. 

Finally, food enriches many other aspects of a gathering. They will be more engaged, attentive, and willing to be a part of other activities if they are well-fed. Besides, they don’t hesitate to tell the world – or at least their online friends – all about your event!