The food design and Event managementcompany, Showconnection, has identified its event catering trends for 2016, and this year food with a difference is all the rage, mixing unusual ingredients and serving in surprising ways!
Food stations are a great way to give people variety and choice. For example, sliders with neon lights, retro Cream Soda panels, and retro Coca-Cola bottles. On the rise are fancy fillings like confit duck, spring onion and plum; seared scallops and smoked chipotle chili jam; Portobello mushrooms and goat cheese etc. Other popular themes for Food Station this year will be paella served in giant pans, cassoulet and seafood casseroles with rustic bread and charcuterie and British cheeses.
- Unusual presentations are another major trend this year. Ideas from sauces in tubes of toothpaste and mini paint pots to serving fish in tins of sardines. Japanese influences are also becoming stronger. dishes like lobster with white radish and pickled baby mushrooms; sweet and sour fennel and salmon marinated with ginger, sushi sesame rice and much more.
- It looks like bitter will be the new flavor of the year and should be included in many dishes. Pomegranate syrup is particularly good for this. It serves as a base for salad dressings in slow-cooked dishes and even as a spice to pack that bitter punch. The reaction of your guests will not be bitter at all.
- Sweet and spicy mix-up: Look out for ingredients like jalapeno honey or chili honey on chicken or on waffles or stirred into butter, mixed into salad dressings, or in sauces. A nation of grazers: Fast, agile and smaller portioned foods that travel extensively as substitutes for traditional meal occasions with the enduring popularity of street eating evidence of this trend.
- Reverse roles: carrots are the new pork belly, cauliflower is the new steak, winter kale is the new burger. Vegetables are no longer just a side dish, but now play the main role on the plate. Keep an eye out for parsnips and kohlrabi, they're about to make a big comeback.
- Creative Sandwiches: Adventurous sandwiches are at the forefront of this year. Covered with unusual ingredients, they become an eye-catcher on every buffet. Whether with meat or vegetarian, mini sandwiches are for everyone.
- Vegetarian: One of the big trends of the coming year is, shall we say, niche food. Whether vegetarian, gluten-free or vegan. Healthy and unusual and for special needs. There is usually a lot of thought behind such courts. Ingredients like chinoa, buckwheat and amaranth are ingredients you'll come across more and more.
To yours Gourmet Catering perfect contact the Showconnection team today and let us plan yours Event. Whether food or show, we are at your side with advice and action. We look forward to your call.