The 8 Catering Trends for 2024

Photo (top left): Catering: De Feestarchitect - Photographer: Nadia El Makhfi / (middle): Catering: Silverspoon - Photographer: LUX Visual Storytellers / (right): Catering: Traiteur Leconte - Photographer: LUX Visual Storytellers

1. Sustainable catering

As one of the biggest wedding trends of 2024, sustainability is definitely influencing wedding catering too. Go for zero-waste catering and choose a caterer who uses local, organic and seasonal products—and who also donates leftovers. Coeur Catering is a great example of a caterer that strongly commits to sustainability. They work with local and organic products and have strong ties with local suppliers to reduce their CO2 emissions.

• Very Food Catering also supports the environment with their sustainable first in Belgium: an electric refrigerated truck. Both the truck and the cold room run on a (separate) electric battery, meaning no CO2 is emitted. Another example is Epicure Catering, which consistently works with fresh and seasonal products, with respect for nature.

  

  

  2. Vegetarian catering

  Closely connected to sustainability, the traditional wedding dinner concept with standard meat and fish dishes is increasingly giving way to vegetarian or vegan alternatives. At Coeur Catering, no less than 40% of their offering is fully vegetarian, with plenty of options for vegan dishes as well.

  Douglas & Boxy’s also work with a large and varied selection of vegetables and can provide fully vegetarian menus. Caterer KTCHN, in turn, focuses on plant-based, local, and sustainable food. This way, you take care of the environment while giving your guests a top-level culinary experience full of flavor.

  

  

  

  3. Walking dinners and sharing dishes

  The traditional, more formal three-course (or more) menu is increasingly being replaced by modern, more relaxed formats such as walking dinners or sharing dishes. Stephen from event venue Valkenbulcke has noticed this shift too: “Where it used to be more customary at wedding celebrations to choose a classic catering format, we now see couples increasingly leaning towards buffets with a more relaxed atmosphere and high-quality street food concepts.”

  At Traiteur Leconte, they also offer a wide range of walking dinner options alongside seated dinners. For example, several small buffet stations can be set up with one central theme, or a different theme per station.

  

  4. Wedding barbecue

  The catering format that perfectly matches the trend of walking dinners and more “casual” weddings—and is therefore very trendy in 2024? The wedding barbecue! A barbecue brings your guests together and is guaranteed to create a great atmosphere and a cozy vibe.

  At Declerck Catering, they specialize in barbecue catering with their massive BBQ Oklahoma smokers and their Argentine grill.

  

  5. Showcooking

  Alongside barbecues, showcooking formats remain a popular wedding catering trend in 2024. They add an extra dimension to your day. Guillermo from Woodness explains: “Showcooking makes the celebration extra fun and unique for your guests. Instead of only offering food, you create a complete experience for the couple and their guests. In summer, for example, we often work with an Ofyr, allowing us to provide showcooking during the reception and bring bites directly to your guests.” So make your 2024 wedding day a culinary adventure your guests will remember for a long time.

  

  

  6. A complete experience

  You already read it above: couples increasingly want to create a special experience for their guests. For instance, treat your guests to Michelin-star chef Wout Bru with his catering Le Grand Verre by Wout Bru.

  J&M Catering has also tapped into this experience trend. Ideally, their chefs prepare dishes in front of your guests, for a modern and interactive experience. How about a fusion cuisine, or a “beer & food pairing”? A great example of a true total experience that goes beyond catering alone is J&M Catering’s latest project “Roger goes Thailand”, a collaboration with Michelin-star chef Roger Van Damme. With help from the Amazing Asia Festival, they bring Thai culture fully to life—making you feel as if you’ve stepped into the streets of Thailand for a moment...

  

  

  7. Food trucks

  Food trucks have grown significantly in popularity over the past few years; and they’re still going strong in 2024. With a food truck, you instantly set the tone for a more relaxed atmosphere, bring your guests together in a convivial way, and add an extra experience to your wedding celebration.

  

  

  8. Late night snacks

  Finally, late night snacks are also a real hit in 2024. Many couples surprise their guests late at night on the dance floor with croque monsieurs, fries, pizza, or even sushi. For fans of sweet treats, donuts, popcorn, and candy are especially popular. The possibilities are endless!

  

  

  Read more about this topic via these links:

  Wedding plans? Discover the very best wedding trends for 2024!

• The 11 wedding dress trends for 2024
• The honeymoon trends of 2024
• Which catering format will you choose for your wedding celebration?