The corporate catering sector in the UK is experiencing rapid growth and innovation. With businesses seeking to improve employee satisfaction and productivity through providing quality foods, corporate caterers are responding with creative new offerings. Read on for an overview of some of the hottest trends shaping corporate catering today.
Healthy and Nutritious Options
Health and wellness remain top priorities for today’s workforce. To align with this demand, corporate caterers are expanding healthy menus featuring plant-based dishes, lean proteins, whole grains, and locally sourced ingredients. There is also a focus on nutritional balance and transparency, with detailed labels about ingredients, calories, and macronutrients. This caters to those with dietary needs or restrictions.
Local and Sustainable Sourcing
Today’s diners want to know where their food comes from. In response, corporate caterers are partnering with local food producers, farms, bakeries, and other purveyors. Menus highlight food origins and seasonal ingredients. Sustainability is also key, with eco-friendly, organic, and ethically-sourced options. Compostable serveware and reduced packaging help cut waste. These practices appeal to eco-minded millennials and Gen Zers in the workforce.
Sandwich Catering
Creative sandwiches remain a staple of London catering for lunches and lighter business meetings. Varieties from London sandwich catering services include Spanish chicken, tuna crunch, hoisin pulled pork, and southern fried chicken. Signage draws diners to daily sandwich specials like vegan spiced chicken and cheese salad and chutney. Sandwich caterers provide menu variety with premium fillings and can accommodate special diets.
Plant-Based Options
Reflecting rising vegetarian and vegan diets, meatless options are expanding on corporate catering menus. Beyond the expected salads and sides, creative plant-based mains include vegetarian lasagne, cauliflower steaks, jackfruit carnitas tacos, impossible burgers, lentil shepherd’s pie, and vegan breakfast sandwiches. Plant-based “meats” and dairy provide familiar flavours and textures. Clearly labelled vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes cater to all diners.
Comfort Food and Nostalgia
While health trends dominate, comfort cuisine also has appeal, evoking happy memories and providing a mental break. Corporate catering menus feature updated classics like chicken pot pie, mac and cheese, meatloaf, and fish and chips. Nostalgic snack options include Scotch eggs, pork pies, and sausage rolls. Desserts range from cookies and cupcakes to sticky toffee pudding, trifles and jam roly-poly. Comfort foods are often served on “Fun Fridays” or as monthly specials.
Snack Catering
Busy schedules mean grazing and snacking appeal. Corporate caterers provide free-standing snack stations with energy-boosting goods like smoothies, yoghurt parfaits, vegetables and hummus, trail mixes, granola bars and whole fruit. Self-serve coffee bars with speciality drinks and bakery cases with fresh muffins and pastries are popular morning offerings. Afternoon snack catering might include popcorn, nachos, flatbreads or slider stations.
Food as Culture
As workforces diversify, corporate menus increasingly reflect global cuisines and cultures. Authentic ethnic foods served might include Indian curries, sushi, stuffed arepas, shakshuka, banh mi sandwiches, and ramen noodle bars. Culturally themed events include Oktoberfest, Diwali, Chinese New Year and Cinco De Mayo celebrations. These experiences provide immersive food education.
From globally inspired dishes to locally sourced foods, today’s corporate catering offers something for every palate and dietary preference. The trends reflect the food-focused ethos of modern employees, keeping workers happy, fuelled and productive during busy workdays. With creative menus and snack offerings, corporate caterers are elevating daily food experiences.
