Tasting the Future of Event Catering
Today’s most memorable events are serving more than stunning venues or sharp agendas. From chef-curated storytelling dinners to mixology-led happy hours, hotel-led culinary experiences have become a driving force behind standout corporate gatherings. In this roundup of food trends in catering and events, we’re spotlighting how some of Teneo’s premier hotel partners are rewriting the recipe for experiential F&B and why planners should take note.
1. Chef-Led Dining: Where Events Meet Artistry
Hotels are turning their event catering menus into curated, chef-driven experiences that rival the best restaurants in town. With chefs leading the way, guests are treated to culinary masterpieces that showcase creativity, craftsmanship, and the artistry of the kitchen. These elevated dining experiences not only wow guests but also create a sense of connection and excitement, elevating the event with a touch of celebrity-status flair.
- At Sanctuary Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Executive Chef Matthew Hobbs welcomes group meet-and-greets and delivers menus rich with farm-fresh American cuisine and seasonal storytelling. It’s not just dining; it’s a narrative told in courses.
- In Las Vegas, The Venetian Resort enhances luxury culinary experiences for corporate events by integrating world-class restaurants like COTE Korean Steakhouse and Bazaar Meat by José Andrés into its private dining offerings. These are theatrical meals: tableside grilling, top-tier Wagyu, and Michelin-level experiences that blur the lines between catering and destination dining.
- While in Napa Valley, The Estate Yountville offers another standout for epicurean-minded groups. Helmed by the late Chef Michael Chiarello’s culinary legacy, the resort’s dining experiences reflect bold California flavors and a refined technique. Just minutes from The French Laundry, it sits in the heart of one of the most Michelin-starred regions in the country, where the culinary landscape rivals any major city for prestige and innovation.
Sanctuary’s chef meet & greet experience with Chef Matthew Hobbs
2. Destination on a Plate: F&B as Local Storytelling
Increasingly, culinary experiences for networking events are used to anchor attendees in the location’s identity. By incorporating locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking methods, these experiences allow guests to connect with the destination in a deeper, more personal way. Whether it’s a regional delicacy or a dish inspired by local history, food becomes a medium for storytelling, turning every bite into a cultural exploration.
- In Hawaii, OUTRIGGER Kona Resort brings local tradition to life with its Feast & Fire Lū‘au, an oceanfront dinner experience filled with island flavors, Polynesian drumming, and fire dancers. It’s a true cultural immersion, not just a meal.
- Omni Scottsdale Hotels & Spa at Montelucia offers a memorable, family-style dining experience in its Chef’s Garden, where groups gather around a multi-course tasting menu prepared right in the chef’s kitchen. Beverage masters and local purveyors are brought in to thoughtfully pair each course with regional drinks, creating a seamless connection between the food and the story behind the beverages.
- Meanwhile, in California wine country, Carneros Resort & Spa offers hive-to-table honey tastings and beekeeping excursions through its on-site apiary. Cocktails like “Sips from the Hive” merge the local honey with fine spirits, giving receptions a hyper-local twist. Attendees can walk, taste, and connect with Napa’s agriculture in a way that creates lasting impressions. Farm-to-table dinners and “women-in-wine” evenings further root guests in the culinary traditions of the region.
Carnero’s Hive walk & tasting experience
3. Beyond the Bar: Elevated Beverage Experiences
Elevated beverage experiences are becoming a must-have trend in the hospitality industry, with hotels stepping up their offerings to create unforgettable moments for group events. From bespoke cocktails to interactive tasting experiences, these innovative drink concepts add a unique touch to any gathering.
- Lotte Hotel Seattle Lotte Hotel Seattle welcomes guests with Maesil, a traditional plum elixir — a thoughtful nod to the brand’s South Korean roots.
- Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego offers an unparalleled culinary experience at Addison, Southern California’s only three-star Michelin restaurant. Chef William Bradley’s seasonal ten-course tasting menu celebrates the best of California gastronomy, paired with rare wines from small producers and exclusive selections from Addison’s renowned wine cellar.
- Ojai Valley Inn adds historical storytelling to the mix with cocktails inspired by legendary guests, events, and films at its Wallace Neff Heritage Bar. These signature experiences elevate the standard cocktail hour to something more than an afterthought.
- In South Florida, Trump National Doral Miami has introduced an Experience Salon — a haven for those with a penchant for the finest whiskey and bourbon. Delve into an exclusive collection of spirits, carefully curated to satisfy the discerning connoisseur and the adventurous newcomer. The property’s experts guide guests through the intricacies of these aged elixirs, all within a sophisticated and refined ambiance.
Trump National Doral’s Experience Salon featuring an exclusive collection of spirits
4. Hands-On Events: Culinary as Team-Building
Forget passive banquets, catering ideas for corporate events are now hands-on. Culinary classes, tastings, and chef-led demos are transforming meals into memory-makers, allowing participants to engage in creative activities that foster collaboration and skill-building. These interactive experiences not only enhance team bonding but also provide an opportunity for guests to discover new techniques and flavors, making the event both educational and enjoyable.
- Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo recently debuted Carysfort Hall, which includes a state-of-the-art culinary academy. Here, groups can roll sushi, make pasta, or participate in friendly cook-offs. It’s fun, interactive, and perfect for executive retreats.
- At The Meritage Resort in Napa Valley, the Food & Wine Center sets the stage for an unforgettable team-building experience. The multi-use space features an exhibition kitchen with two fully equipped commercial cooking stations and multiple interactive guest workstations. Under the guidance of a Michelin-star chef, groups can take over the center to prepare a three- or four-course meal using the freshest local ingredients, paired with Napa’s finest wines.
- Hotel Bardo Savannah, also known for its interactive, chef-led workshops, offers classes such as bread making and pasta crafting. These intimate, creative culinary experiences offer attendees an insider’s look into Southern cuisine, fostering both learning and connection.
- Kempinski Hotel Cancun offers a truly immersive culinary experience that’s perfect for corporate events. Their residential-style Culinary Center hosts interactive cooking classes and show demonstrations, blending education, entertainment, and social bonding. In the hands-on cooking class, groups explore traditional Mexican cuisine with a creative twist, guided by expert chefs to create their own gourmet dishes. Meanwhile, the show cooking experience dazzles attendees as chefs transform local ingredients into plated masterpieces right before their eyes, offering a captivating fusion of aromas, flavors, and textures.
Kempinski’s interactive cooking classes
5. Garden-to-Table Dining
As meeting planners continue to focus on wellness and sustainability for their groups, hotels are meeting this demand with exceptional garden-to-table experiences. These properties offer immersive culinary experiences that blend fresh, locally sourced ingredients with sustainable practices, creating an unforgettable experience for event attendees. With farm-to-table dining, on-site gardens, and even beekeeping, these hotels are elevating the culinary journey to new heights.
- Isla Bella Beach Resort offers a garden-to-table experience that connects guests with the surrounding ecosystem. Featuring on-site produce and sustainable sourcing, the resort’s wellness menus are both flavorful and health-conscious. Guests can also enjoy a unique beekeeping experience, learning about honey production and savoring fresh, local ingredients.
- At Rancho Bernardo Inn, guests can enjoy exclusive garden-to-table dining with ingredients handpicked from the resort’s on-site garden. Private garden dinners, surrounded by lush greenery, offer a memorable and sustainable culinary experience that highlights the best local California produce.
- Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club’s self-sustaining hydroponic farm grows nearly 90% of the ingredients used in its dishes, offering guests daily harvests of fresh produce. The resort’s sustainable, private garden dining experiences allow guests to enjoy exclusive meals under the stars or stroll through the farm, all while supporting eco-friendly practices that benefit both the environment and the local community.
Rancho Bernado’s seasonal Chef’s Garden
The Takeaway: Food as a Strategic Engagement Tool
Planners are no longer looking at hotel catering as a checkbox; it’s now a cornerstone of event design. From destination-inspired dishes to luxury hotel event catering options that deliver five-star flair, F&B is where innovation and impression intersect.
Whether it’s a chef-led dinner in Scottsdale, a fire-lit luau in Kona, or a beekeeping and tasting experience in Napa, these culinary trends prove that food is a powerful connector. And for Teneo Hospitality Group’s hotel clients, it’s the key ingredient to hosting unforgettable events.
Ready to add flavor to your next event? Contact your Teneo GSO for more examples of event-forward culinary hotels and resorts.
