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Changing the Face of Catering
Catering can be more than just traditional buffet service or formal sit-down dinners. Options abound for every taste profile, purpose and budget. Following is a look at some catering trends, why and how you can utilize local supermarkets and restaurants to cater your events and a look at some specialty catering markets you might want to consider to add some sweet and local flavor to your next Houston event.

Catering trends
Trends in catering are reflecting the up-and-coming business professionals’ shift in how they access information and live their lives. The new movers and shakers in this tech-savvy, fast-moving generation are expecting their meetings and events partners like caterers to join them midstride and keep up with their busy lifestyles. Following are some of the catering trends that experts offer for this year.

Mouthwatering Media: With the plethora of cooking shows airing on television today, consumers have more access to food knowledge than ever before and are increasingly aware of the intricate variety and quality available to them. Armed with that knowledge, they want to be wooed and wowed by food. Artisan, locally crafted products with unique flavor profiles are sought-after selections as are more daring delicacies they’ve seen on their favorite shows and are dying to try. Push the envelope, and give them something to talk about.

Online Overtures:
Online menus, reservations and ordering; group-discount coupons; real-time marketing; and cyber fan communities are crucial aspects for advertising any hospitality business nowadays. Savvy caterers will offer multiple channels for communicating with and marketing to their potential customer base to garner attention and credibility in the digital age of the Internet-dependent generation.

Small and Fast:
Super sizing is on the backburner and making way for graze-worthy light bites and on-the-go tasting options. Active, health-conscious crowds are sometimes wary of sit-down dinners with their slower social pace, full-size portions and limited choices. Caterers can dispense with the old “salad, main course, dessert” format in favor of interactive shared plates and casual dining options to capitalize on the short-attention-span reality of the new generation and their desire to remain mobile and free to socialize in larger groups.

Less Salt, More Flavor:
Demands for healthier foods will continue, but today people also want flavor-packed experiences with that leaner cuisine. The key to success is looking for menus that offer healthy, flavorful variations on classic offerings instead of just a menu expansion with tacked-on, bland raw-vegetable dishes.

With these trends in mind, make sure the catering fits the people it is going to serve. Information-heavy, quick, accessible and healthy options need to be part of a catering plan as much as the full, formal course-by-course standards.

Grocery Gourmet

People often underestimate and overlook the value and quality of catering available from local specialty grocery stores. Houston is home to several top-notch grocery catering options that can trim your planning budget without sacrificing quality, selection and service.

Central Market
specializes in providing everything for catering special occasions and corporate events. Central Market’s catering experts can custom-build a winning menu for your next event, or you can order off the standard menus, which feature diverse handmade dishes using only the freshest ingredients. Choose from sandwich boards, box lunches, salads, baked-from-scratch breads, bakery-fresh desserts, international fine meats and cheeses and assorted chef-prepared hot entrÈes and sides. Better yet, you can pick up your order and pay in the store, or Central Market can deliver it to you. To find out what’s available in Houston or to place an order, call (713) 386-1750 or visit www.centralmarket.com/Services/Catering.aspx.

The Epicurean Catering Company at Houston’s Rice Epicurean Markets provides gourmet cuisine and a memorable presentation for any event. Epicurean’s catering experts offer everything from fully staffed catering to providing delicious gourmet food for pickup. The food is prepared with fresh ingredients by professional chefs, and custom menus are welcome. The high-end offerings include breakfast and brunch, box lunches and salads, buffets and trays, desserts, hors d’oeuvres, made-to-order specialty stations and artistic food displays. Epicurean also offers furniture rentals, ice sculptures, balloon and floral arrangements, themed dÈcor, a full bar, staffing and valet, fine tableware, outdoor heaters and more. Delivery service is available, and advance notice is preferred on custom orders. For detailed menus, visit www.riceepicurean.com. For menu and planning assistance, call (713) 621-0422.

Enjoy a wonderful selection of healthy and nutritious foods at Georgia’s Farm to Market. Georgia’s offers Houston one of the best ever-changing menus of freshly prepared, nutritious ingredients, many of which are locally produced and 100-percent organic and natural. Committed to providing the best natural products “from cradle to plate,” Georgia’s meats are recommended for a healthier lifestyle and come from animals raised locally and processed at its own animal welfare–approved facility. Georgia’s caters events with small or large groups for breakfast, lunch, social gatherings or dinner, and the staff can customize a menu that is perfect for your needs. For pricing or more information, call (281) 940-0990 or visit www.georgiasmarket.com.

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