The standard of food served at any corporate or social event is one of the main things your guests will remember.
But this is especially true when it takes place at a hotel, where the upscale nature of the venue often brings with it an expectation that your culinary offerings will need to live up to.
It can seem incredibly different to come up with a catering idea that appeals to a large number of people with diverse tastes, not to mention food allergens. But there are some food trends you can embrace that are sure to impress your guests.
In this post, we’ve put together a list of seven culinary ideas you should consider for your next event at a hotel. Regardless of whether you are hosting a wedding, corporate gathering, or social soirée, these options are sure to be a hit!
- Use a meal delivery service
Meals per head for an event can be very expensive if you use a traditional catering company. For this reason, an increasing trend is to use a meal delivery service.
Aside from often being cheaper, doing this enables you to offer your guests a wider range of food options in an alternative drop menu. This is a huge positive because it can be difficult to find two dishes that will appeal to all your guests otherwise.
If this is an idea that appeals to you, check out FoodSt for meal delivery in Melbourne to see an example of some of the food options you could offer your guests.
- Gourmet Food Trucks
The food truck scene has really taken off in Australia in the last few years, so this is an option you might want to adopt. It is especially popular for outdoor events, where the casual, street-food vibe tends to create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
Today, there are many gourmet food truck vendors operating all over the country who offer every kind of gastronomy, from Indian, Thai, and Mexican to Peruvian, German, and Middle Eastern.
It is a good idea to engage the services of at least three, as they will provide your guests with more varied food choices than traditional catering options otherwise would.
- Themed Food Stations
Adopting a similar concept as food trucks is themed food stations, which make an excellent alternative to regular buffets.
The great thing about themed food stations is that they can match the occasion or the event’s decor.
For example, at a corporate event with an international focus, you could offer stations with cuisine from specific countries. Alternatively, for a wedding, it is a nice touch to present the couple’s favourite foods or dishes that reflect their nationalities or where they have travelled together.
- BBQ
Just because your event is at a hotel doesn’t mean you can’t have a good old-fashioned Aussie barbecue!
Most people love a good burger, sausage or prawn cooked on the barbie, so if you are hosting a more informal, al fresco event, you can’t really go wrong.
To avoid guest disappointment, just make sure the vegetarian food is not cooked on the same grill as the meat.
- Farm-to-Table Dining
If you are looking for a fresh and eco-friendly catering option, consider a farm-to-table menu.
This concept focuses on sourcing ingredients only from local farms to ensure the food is not only fresh but also supports the local community. The farm-to-table approach can include anything from salads made with seasonal vegetables to meat dishes sourced from nearby farms.
Generally, it is presented in a rustic, elegant style, and guests will be more willing to buy into the idea if they know where the food has been sourced.
Depending on the nature of your event, you could even allow the local producers to sell some of their wares at a stall throughout its duration.
- Degustation Menu
If you really want to make a statement with your food options, why not offer your guests a degustation meal?
This type of food experience is a multi-course meal meant to provide the diner with a sensory adventure. It can include as many as ten small dish courses and is usually seen as an opportunity for top-notch chefs to display their creativity and skills, so it is perfect for weddings.
Degustation menus are not necessarily cheap options, but they usually have an incredible ‘WOW’ factor associated with them that people will love.
- Molecular Gastronomy
For a truly unique and memorable dining experience, why not provide your guests with a molecular gastronomy catering option?
This cutting-edge culinary style involves transforming traditional dishes into something entirely new using science, technology and a bit of theatre.
Imagine the look of astonishment on your guests’ faces when they are served a cocktail that takes the form of a gel sphere or a dessert that smokes when it’s cut open.
Again, this is probably a more expensive option, but it’s sure to leave a lasting impression on your attendees.