We know that organising and hosting a top event that stands out is every event planner’s dream. The success of an event depends on many elements, ranging from venue and location to weather and quality entertainment. While some of these are within control, and some are left to the hands of fate, one essential element that organisers obsess over is high-class catering.
As so colourfully described on London Launch, catering for events is no longer as simple as lining up a steaming buffet and a tower of cupcakes. With the rise in competitive cooking, cuisine has undergone a major revolution and eventing clients now expect food that is beautiful, a little edgy, but most of all: delicious and satisfying.
As you consider the catering you need in order to host a top event, think about the current food trends that are impressing diners and delegates across the world:
1. Seasonal Cuisine
Sustainability has become a global issue, and more and more patrons are becoming aware of the pressure that catering places on food resources. Bearing that in mind, as well as the effect that seasonal ingredients has on budget, an event catering company like Par Avion creates menus and sources their raw ingredients with care.
2. Hybrid Cuisine
Fusion cooking has been around since the 1970’s – it is the combination of different culinary traditions and cultures, to create something unique and entirely new. In recent years, hybrid cuisine has taken to new heights, particularly with desserts and pastries. The introduction of cronuts and cruffins are a testament to the inventiveness of the modern baker – sinfully sweet, these decadent treats borrow the best from croissants, doughnuts, and muffins.
As we firmly believe that there should always be a dessert to every meal, we love to experiment with all kinds of sweets, both traditional and progressive. Exciting desserts like the cronut or millionaire’s shortbread are always well-received at private functions and special occasions.
3. Pop-Up Cuisine
Much like the concept of a pop-up restaurant, pop-up catering at events adds an feature of fun to your functions. According to Event Interface, delegates attending top events are delighted by the sudden arrival of a gelato stand, a slush-puppy cocktail machine, or a gourmet popcorn table. These can be easily incorporated into an already-mouthwatering corporate event menu, and should serve to complement the catering, rather than take away from it.
4. Celebrate Local
Recognizing that our country has so much culinary culture on offer, catering for top events with distinctive platters of local goodies is becoming more and more popular. You can present sandwiches and bagels packed with creative fillings like melt-in-your-mouth cream cheese, spicy biltong or local seafood, and indulgent platters of canapés and petit four can be paired with the very best craft beers and local wines.
5. #InstaFood
Above all else, food served at any event needs to be delicious… and instagrammable. Colour and vibrancy combined with full flavour and balance makes for a dish that can’t help but be bragged about. The Par-Avion Instagram profile showcases some of our very own dishes that we’ve been proud to serve our clients.
Editor’s Note: At Par Avion, our expert team of function chefs served incredible clients at top events around the country. From boardroom catering to special occasions and large-scale corporate launches, our menus are fresh and exciting, but deeply rooted in culinary knowledge, and always tailored to suit the style and need of each and every event. Want to take your event to the next level? Talk to us, we’d love to cater for you!
