Meetings Blog Jan 15, 2018
‘Food, glorious food’, rang the Broadway hit from the musical, Oliver. And today, more than ever, we are all surrounded by it. Everybody seems to love cooking, or at least watching someone else showing off their culinary skills, as TV ratings for Masterchef, Hell’s Kitchen, Dinner at home, The Big British Bake-off, and many, MANY more, rise like fresh dough in the oven. As an event planner, where there is popularity there is opportunity, so let’s get our aprons on and have a look at the benefits a foodie event can offer…
Brash Scotsman, Gordon Ramsay, firm but loveable Spaniard, Alberto Chicote, kid-like English professional, Jamie Oliver, bitingly witty Anthony Bourdain from France, and America’s Iron Chef, Bobby Flay…the listing goes on. One thing’s for sure, they’ve all carved out a niche in their local market and some have gone on to consume audiences further afield. Even chefs that have not made it onto our TV screens are making headlines as their Michelin credentials get aired via other sources or more amateur offerings are served up on social media – think of those time-lapse videos on Facebook and the stunning images of colorful dishes presented through the medium of Instagram. You are licking your lips just picturing them, right?
The concept that has transformed the industry is two-fold. Firstly, people want to talk about and try new ingredients and dishes, resulting in the introduction to languages around the world of the term “foodie”, coined in the early 1980s when this new trend was identified. Secondly, creating delicious, eye-catching and healthy meals is no longer solely within the domain of the expert chef: we have all been given an insight, as well as the tools and instructions, to do likewise. And we’ve devoured the opportunity.
Whether it’s a foodie event or not, we all know that very often eating begins with the eyes, making the presentation key. Creating a piece of delicious art has a two-fold impact on your attendees, not just the eating pleasure but also giving an invitation to share online using the dedicated hashtag of the event.
So, with all this in mind, it is clear that the meetings and events industry is in an ideal position to get involved. F&B options are virtually limitless and, almost certainly, a huge proportion of your audience will be enthusiastic about what you lay on. The more creative the experience the better, as attendees use the downtime – whether tempting breaks, elaborate lunches or informal dinners – to discover new flavors and stimulate their senses, both visual and taste. There is the satisfaction gained from sustenance, of course, but also the richness of conversation and intrigue that can be generated from exciting new dishes works wonders for engagement across an event. Looking for an alternative icebreaker for an international meeting? Set your chefs the task of conjuring up a unique presentation to get the tongues wagging in more ways than one.
Looking for an alternative icebreaker for an international meeting? Set your chefs the task of conjuring up a unique presentation to get the tongues wagging in more ways than one.
Another consideration that the celebrity world of cooking has tossed into the mix, especially in more recent years, has been the idea that both health and sustainability can be intrinsically linked to gastronomic practices. Zero Kilometer food, made using locally produced ingredients that require almost no transport, is the latest focus of ecological gastronomy, so when choosing a city and venue, consider the options available for you to provide your guests with food from that region. Not only could that reduce your carbon footprint, but sharing information about the roots of the ingredients, and possibly the cultural aspects of the dishes, can also add curiosity from those luckily enough to be there. NH Hotel Group, for example, ensures that our chefs always have a ‘local ingredients’ menu at your disposal.
Thanks to the growth in popularity of celebrity chefs, the plethora of related television entertainment shows and the daily social media visual indulgence, the food and beverage content at your next event is an opportunity too tasty to ignore. What will the menu consist of at your foodie event?
