When planning the catering for your next big event, you want to make sure the food you serve will be unforgettable. Choosing an event catering company that is on top of the hottest trends will ensure that you get the best—and most innovative—food out there.
One of the hottest food trends—pun intended—for 2016 is spicy and tangy foods. No matter what your event theme or personal taste palate is, you will be able to incorporate some heat and tang into your menu.
Here are the top sixflavour trends for 2016 that are sure to wow your guests.
1. Spicy—with a Little Tang
Turn up the heat and offer your guests a spicy snack with a tangy accent, such as rice vinegar, tamarind, cranberry, or kumquats.
The mix between spicy and tangy food is a combination made in food heaven. It engages the taste buds and makes for wonderful sense memories that will make your menu unforgettable. While people are still getting used to this flavour pairing in North America, it’s been popular in the Mediterranean for centuries, making it a tried and true recipe.
Think harissa aioli or Mexican chipotle, or if you’re really adventurous, try a Southeast Asian samba sauce.
2. Southeast Asian Street food
Southeast Asian food is your next destination if you’re looking for food that will impress at your next event. The flavour profiles from countries like Malaysia and the Philippines are becoming increasingly popular.
The Filipino street food called pinoy barbecue is the perfect introduction to Southeast Asian cuisine. Made up of soy sauce, lemon, garlic, sugar, pepper, banana ketchup, and rendang curry; pinoy barbecue features complex flavour profiles that won’t be overwhelming.
3. Healthy Blends
Health foods, such as chia seeds and flaxseed, have been all the rage in recent years. Another event catering idea is to take these tasty yet healthy foods to the next level by mixing spices and ingredients with them to accent their flavours.
Need some inspiration? Try mixing chia seeds with citrus, chillies, and garlic for a bit of a kick, balance your matcha with ginger and citrus, or mix Mediterranean herbs with flaxseed. Chia seeds are also amazing as a crust on fish or chicken—a blessing for any guests who skip the gluten.
Your guests are sure to appreciate the healthy—and tasty—fare.
4. Proteins that Pulse
Pulse proteins refer to the dried seed of a legume. Some common examples are peas, lentils, and kidney beans.
This year, expect to see pulse proteins that are a bit more uncommon, such as pigeon peas, cranberry beans, and black beluga lentils. Incorporating innovative proteins into your event catering menu will gives your guests something to talk about, and will be devoured by vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
5. Ancestral Flavours
Amaranth, mescal, thyme, peppermint, rosemary, lavender. These are just some of the ingredients that are gaining popularity this year.
The magenta-coloured leaves of amaranth taste like a creamier version of spinach, making it perfect in a risotto topped with basil.
Flavours from the Middle East and India, such as sumac, turmeric, and Za’atar, are also flavours that deliver. Surprise your guests and incorporate these flavours in unexpected places on your event catering menu, such as desserts or cocktails.
6. Infused Cocktails
Speaking of cocktails, creatively crafted cocktails are a necessary feature for any 2016 event. Gone are the days of simple G&Ts. Today, techniques of pickling, roasting, and caramelizing are incorporated into cocktails to make them really stand out.
Peach and vanilla brûlée cocktail, anyone? Or perhaps a roasted peanut old-fashioned is more your style. Whatever your cocktail of choice might be, infusing your alcohol with complex flavoursand interesting garnishes will make them unforgettable.
