Try these 2022 food trends

“Brunch celebrations are big and robust this year,” according to Jacquie Bols, owner of Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering. No longer reserved for vacations or lazy weekends, brunch celebrations are taking center stage as celebratory events for birthdays, receptions, holidays, baby showers, retirements, and even corporate events.

Brunch is a great way to relax your body and wake up your palate with something delicious and maybe even a little decadent. Big Brunch catering ideas:

• Center your reception around a brunch bar that includes “top your own bloody marys and mimosas” and you’re onto a winner!
• Croissants and bagels are great standards, but coconut pancakes with banana and crème fraiche is much more festive!
• We’ve also pulled together bloodymary tacos, dukkah-rolled eggs with freekeh and beetroot, and as we get into fall, chocolate muesli with fresh cream.

The Root-to-Stem movement is all about reducing food waste and using every possible part of fresh fruits and vegetables. Making use of the entire fruit or vegetable is what we’re all about at Jacquie’s Catering – since we love the Farm-to-Table movement and use fresh Indiana-grown produce as much as possible.

Root-to-Stem food possibilities:

• Carrot-top pesto
• Pickled watermelon rinds
• Fennel frond vinaigrette
• Sauteed beet greens
• Using garden flowers as bouquets
• Embracing imperfect organic cucumbers, zucchini, peppers and tomatoes (after all, what defines perfect in nature?)

 Mushroom Superfoods! Mushrooms have incredible immune system benefits and they taste amazing, making them an exciting addition to lots of trendy eateries! Mushroom dishes we love:

• Mushroom crepes
• Mushroom bites with balsamic and thyme
• Grilled cheese and minty mushrooms
• Wild mushroom tarts.

Grazing Tables are terrific for low key events – especially when you want folks to get to know each other. Grazing tables allow guests to mingle over locally-produced cheeses and meats, spreads, fruits and breads. The more diverse and colorful, the greater the impact.

• The trick to a good grazing table is to not skimp on the good stuff.
• Consider texture by combining soft and hard cheeses, smooth and coarse crackers, and crunchy snacks for variety.
• Pickled beets are fun – especially in non-traditional colors.
• Add unexpected foods like passionfruit, figs and edible flowers.

Pretzel Walls are having a moment! (As are bagel, cronut and donut walls.) This idea takes a classic comfort food and presents it in an unfamiliar way. It’s novel and unexpected, fun and – interactive – so perfect for birthdays, receptions, corporate breakfasts, even thank you events.

Who wouldn’t love choosing from a doughnut wall? Consider naming the types of pretzels and bagels after those you are celebrating, thanking – or introducing.

Korean food is gaining in popularity and makes for a hip, foodie- themed event.

• Think kimchi, soft tofu stew or soy sauce crab.
• Ask us about japchae and Korean fried or sweet crispy chicken.
• You could also set up a ‘make your own’ bibimbap table with lunch-in-a-bowl choices of rice, mixed vegetables, beef, egg, sesame oil and chili paste for a little heat.

 The point of any get together is to celebrate with food, drink, music, and conversation. How you do that – and with what type of creative presentation -- is the art of a great party. Let’s talk about trends and your next event!