Food and Drink Trends

Of course food and drink trends are MY FAVORITE!!!

- His and Her Stations (each having their respective favorite foods!)

Photo by: The Memory Journalists
- Sample Stations - for example, pairing wine and cheese. Not only fun, but educational!
Photo by: The Memory Journalists

- Small Plates - I love the pairing of comfort foods along with something a bit more on trend and decadent!

Photo by: Brandy Sommer Photography

- Familiar/Identifiable Foods - jazzing them up a bit. For example, Abigail Kirsch in NY does Portobello sirloin burgers with truffle potato chips instead of basic sliders.

Photo by: Brandy Sommer Photography

- Ethnic Food Stations - for example, stations based on the Pacific Rim. Caterers are also telling me they predict that Greek, Middle Eastern, North African and Lebanese cuisines will grow in popularity.

- Seeing fabulous family-style platters and the trend of using fabulous and unique serving pieces for a combination of beef, fish and all types of sides.

- Late Night Snack - becoming even more popular, whether it's a traditional egg offering, or pizza and sliders. I have seen gourmet popcorn stations served in little brown cups.

- Seeing lots of tray passed sweets, lollipop-style and mini ice cream sandwiches are very popular

Photo by: Brandy Sommer Photography

- A special treat while guests are waiting in their cars, such as warm chocolate chip cookies, mini milk shots or root beer floats.

Photo by: Artistic Imagery

- Wine - becoming more popular served in fabulous decanters and paired with food.

- Also seeing dark drinks come back; whiskey and scotch are becoming increasingly popular! Seeing lots of scotch bars.

- Specialty Drink Bars - once I saw a six flavor Bellini bar that was amazing. Fun champagne bars with mixers (Chambord, Midori, cranberry or pineapple juice).

- Seeing lots of stylish items to dress up your drinks such as lavender or rose petals.

Top 10 Event Trends for 2010 - Helping you to be On-Trend vs. Trendy (Part 2)

This is the second in a two part series. These top ten trends are provided by NACE - the National Association of Catering Executives. Enjoy!

6) Floral More organic arrangements that are loose and lush, using the natural shape of a vine or branch to guide the arrangement. More fruit will be used in the floral arrangements...the look of a still life painting!
Photo by: Unknown Flowers: Blooms Venue: La Provence Restaurant

7) Going even more Green! Organic flowers, recycled paper for invitations, biodegradable plates and utensils, reusing materials, and scrapping unnecessary and wasteful flourishes will become standard.

Graphic by: Laura Hooper Calligraphy

8) Photography/Videography There is a trend toward more high-concept, fashion editorial-style photos with an edge that are shot very much in a photo journalistic manner.

AI FILMS Promo Video from artistic imagery films on Vimeo.

Video by: Artistic Imagery Films

9) Entertainment Jazz, photo booths, Wii games, dance lessons on vinyl covered dance floors, DJs and mixing various forms of entertainment (jazz with dinner, band for dancing and a DJ for an after-party) will be all the rage in „10!
Photo by: Profinish Design

10) Check back tomorrow... number 10 is all about Food and Drink Trends!

Top 10 Event Trends for 2010 - Helping you to be On-Trend vs. Trendy (Part 1)

As I've mentioned before, I am a member of NACE (National Association of Catering Executives). I received an email this morning with the annual report on trends. I LOVE hearing what industry groups consider trends. Sometimes I agree wholeheartedly, other times I just don't see it. I'm going to share these with you in a couple of parts, so check back for more!

1) The Overall Atmosphere A more architectural, modern and environmental look will be prevalent, versus a frilly and fussy atmos-phere!

Photo by: True Love Photo, Location: Citizen Hotel, Cake: Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts

2) Alternative Spaces People will continue to love the com-forts of being able to produce their event or wedding in a hotel, but will want to use alternative spaces in the hotel for their function(s).
Photo by: Tinywayter Event Planner: Amber Novey of Platinum Planning Venue: The Flower Farm Inn

3) The Lounge Look Furniture of all shapes and sizes will take center stage! Groupings much like you would see in a hotel lobby will be wildly popular! Photo by: Chenin Boutwell Special Thanks to Style Me Pretty

4) Table Design Long share tables remain popular and on trend! Additionally square and rectangular shapes will be requested even more in 2010. People want texture; they want delights both to the touch and eye!
Photo by: Scott Andrew Venue: Mulvaney's Building and Loan Planner: Alison Ulshoffer Events

5) Lighting Whether it is gobos, dimming, gelling the existing lights in the ballroom or contracting with a lighting designer and company to wash the ballroom in color, lighting will be at it most popular height ever! Photo by: Rachelle Photography Lighting by: Extreme Productions

Dynamite Weddings - Wedding Trend - Mixed Medium Wedding Cake

Below is a tip we wrote for Dynamite Weddings!

There is a running trend of mixing up the shapes of wedding cakes between squares and rounds, but play with your cake designer and come up with something that is truly unique. In addition to an unusually shaped wedding cake, consider mixing fruit with flowers and adding fondant ribbons or boarders to a buttercream cake.

New (not so) Guilty Pleasure

So I was surfing some of my favorite photo blogs and one thing led to another and I discovered this new magazine. I'm floored! I love it. I can't remember the last time a magazine made my mouth water and my brain race (Art Culinaire? Donna Hay? Saveur?). Take a look and see if you have an equally strong reaction. (Probably best not to look while you are hungry!)

http://www.dessertsmag.com/desserts-magazine/issue6/#/1/

Dynamite Weddings!

Check this out!!! Dynamite Weddings has a wonderful little post about us!!! The collage looks rockin'! There really is nothing better than some HOT dessert pics! Thank you Dynamite Weddings for the post and thank you Memory Journalists for the pictures and collage!

THANK YOU!!!!

http://dynamiteweddings.blogspot.com/2009/02/trend-dainty-delicacies.html