In February, Washington, D.C.-based Occasions Caterers won the prestigious Catersource Achievement in Catering Excellence (ACE) Award for Best Catered Wedding for a lavish wedding reception that took place in a supper club-style lounge tent at the couple’s property in McLean, Virginia. The award-winning wedding featured lavish decor reminiscent of Las Vegas’ Mayfair Supper Club inside the Bellagio. Photo by Elisabetta Marzetti Stand-out dishes from the expansive menu included passed hors d’oeuvres such as caviar bumps, crab in fragrant coconut milk and Hawaiian tuna poke on nori crackers; smal ..read more

The National Restaurant Association released its 2024 State of the Restaurant Industry report, which examines key factors impacting the industry. The report is based on analysis and forecasts by the association’s economists, and surveys of restaurant operators and consumers conducted throughout the year. U.S. restaurant industry sales are forecast to reach a record $1.1 trillion in 2024, according 
to the report, and the industry is expected to add 1.2 million jobs over the next eight years. There are currently 15.7 million restaurant employees and more than 1 million outlets. This year’s rep ..read more

Tips for upping your social media game like a pro By Mark Sorenson, CEO of Social High Rise Social media is an incredibly powerful tool for influencing guest behavior. In 2024, if your business isn’t killing it on social media, you’re falling behind—it’s as simple as that. This is more than just showing off your dishes. It’s about using social media smartly to grab your customers’ attention and sway their dining decisions. Consider this: A whopping 78% of what people decide to eat is influenced by social media. So, getting your social media game on point isn’t just nice—it’s essential. Your mo ..read more

Leading food-and-beverage market research firm Datassential has released findings from its annual trend report, covering predictions for 2024. According to its research, 63% of consumers say they are optimistic about the year ahead. Datassential’s 2024 Food Trends report A major food trend identified by the report is “European 2.0.” According to Datassential, a new generation of chefs is rethinking classic European cuisines, such as Italian, French and Greek. Social media is influencing this trend, as well as travel: “As consumers head to the U.K., Italy, France, and Spain on post-COVID vacati ..read more

Caterers are revving up their food station creativity, presenting guests with sweet, savory and satisfying options that look as good as they taste By Sara Perez Webber At the Italian Pasta Cone station by Bite Catering Couture in Los Angeles, chefs prepare spaghetti to order and serve it in easy-to-hold cones. Guests attending catered events these days are likely to find food and drink that’s right up their alley. After all, caterers are coming up with ever-more creative stations where diners can customize dishes to their liking. And not only do these stations feature a variety of flavors but ..read more

Restaurants and caterers who specialize in this popular cuisine find success with traditional recipes and quality ingredients By Sara Perez Webber A third of U.S. adults rank Mexican food as their favorite cuisine. Whether they’re craving quesadillas, longing for elote or pining for pozole, consumers’ appetite for Mexican cuisine shows no signs of abating. According to market research firm CivicScience, a third of U.S. adults name Mexican food as their favorite cuisine—and it’s the top choice for those under age 55. Meeting the demand are more than 80,000 Mexican restaurants across the country ..read more

Six proven ways to attract business through social media By Liese Gardner Professional photography will show off your venue to its best advantage, such as this stunning image of the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., with exclusive catering by Ridgewells. As your potential clients begin to plan a wedding or significant event, one of their first tasks will be securing a venue. This can be a big boost to caterers with preferred or exclusive status at a popular venue. In fact, being affiliated with an in-demand venue is so beneficial that some caterers—such as Best Impressions in Charlotte, N ..read more

The concessions served at live events are winning fans of their own By Sara Perez Webber The post Foods That Score first appeared on Catering, Foodservice & Events Magazine ..read more

New England Restaurant & Bar Show The Massachusetts Restaurant Association and Exposition Development Company, Inc. are gearing up for the New England Restaurant & Bar Show (formerly New England Food Show), which will take place February 4-5, 2024, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. New England Restaurant & Bar Show is the region’s largest B to B event for restaurant, bar and foodservice professionals. The latest products, services and technologies will be showcased for the industry, along with a comprehensive and leading-edge program of educ ..read more

A footlong country sausage and fixings served at Mississippi State’s concessions Atlanta-based Proof of the Pudding, a leader in foodservice management and catering for sports and entertainment arenas and college stadiums, continues to partner with Division 1 colleges, helping them to drive premium revenue and elevate food and beverage offerings. The company currently serves eight Division 1 colleges. Proof partnered with its first D1, the University of Georgia, in 2003, and Wake Forest University is its most recent win. “For many years, stadium foods’ sole purpose was to feed the masses. It w ..read more