The food scene in Toronto catering, like the city itself, constantly evolves as people’s taste buds change, new foods hit the market, and unique cuisines emerge each season. Toronto is no stranger to eclectic and deliciously diverse food set ups. Here’s the lowdown on Toronto foodie favourites—incorporate these tasty trends in your next event.
Local Food and Drinks
It’s all about celebrating and focusing on your home, and serving locally sourced food and drinks hits the mark. Bring the best from your own backyard, such as wines, beers, organic veggies, and meats—it’s a surefire way to impress your guests and showcase the popular food-to-table experience.
Not only are you more likely to enjoy food with premium flavour, local produce and meats provides you and your guests the opportunity to learn more about what’s readily available and in-season. Combine both food and drink and consider local pairings for a truly unforgettable experience that highlights regional flavours.
Clean Eating
There’s no getting around it. In today’s world of frozen meals and oversized portions where some struggle to find balance in their diet, people are concerned about how much they eat and the meaning behind nutritional labels. It’s a trend that won’t go away any time soon, and Toronto catering has responded quickly to it.
Veggies are no longer the side dish, with healthy alternative such as cauliflower and Brussels sprouts making main appearances. Menu planning that includes superfoods like kale and blueberries, swaps white starch for whole grains, and includes more delicious choices in entrees is a popular theme among Toronto caterers. Lucky for you, the number of healthy and delicious options available today is endless.
Middle Eastern Flavour
Middle Eastern food highlighted from Turkey, Iran, and Israel is quickly becoming a popular choice. Its endless menu options and diverse spices used in traditional and delicious tasting dishes are current alternatives that Toronto foodies are gobbling up. Key ingredients shared between the regions include chickpeas, lamb, and cumin, while main dishes such as falafel, kebabs, and tabbouleh are becoming increasingly popular.
The lively flavours, colour, and textures that make up Middle Eastern meals are popping up as the latest influence in small eateries and restaurants. Now, they’re finding their way into the Toronto catering scene. As the larger population wants to taste more authentic and culturally diverse foods, Middle Eastern flavours are dominating the food scene.
Sustainable Seafood
In addition to the surge of lean eating and local fare, more clients today are questioning the origins of the food on their plate. With environmental changes, overfishing, and increased lobbying to protect how fish is farmed, the amount of fishing in today’s market is at the forefront of many foodies.
Seafood is a great alternative to serve alongside traditional meats. While everyone wants to enjoy the best fish from the market, people don’t want to overdo it from an environmental standpoint. Sustainable seafood is leaving its mark as a current catering trend.
Family-Style Dining
The traditional sit-down meal isn’t for everyone—and now more than ever, couples are choosing alternative dining styles for their weddings. Sharing plates have stepped in as the one of the bigger trends hitting today’s food scene. Toronto catering companies have adapted by working their menus around this option to allow for more mingling, alternative food choices, and tapa style plates that allow variety in the menu.
Sharing plates are a great alternative choice for those who don’t want to be stuck with the usual plated, three-course meal, and gives people a chance to pick and choose what they feel like eating. With this option, guests are no longer committed to a single order and have the opportunity to try other things.
Hosting family style dining events with friends and loved ones brings together the perfect mix of formal and impersonal for an experience that’s reminiscent of Sunday night dinners, bringing a sincere and comfortable touch to the dinner table.
