Not only does sharing meals make people happier, but the culinary experience at an event directly impacts people’s desire to return. Food enables sensory memory, essentially making the event more memorable. 

Translation: As an event organiser, you don’t want to mess up the catering.

At Eventbrite, we support event organisers worldwide to build and promote incredibly catered events — and now we want to help you.

By choosing the right food options and drinks to complement your events, you can create unforgettable experiences (and flavours) that your guests will want to taste again and again. 

But if you’re short on foodie creations for corporate events, workshops, intimate gatherings — you name it — and want some inspiration from tried-and-tested event organisers, you won’t go hungry for ideas with us.

Browse catering options by type of event

Ideas for catering for community events

Catering ideas for events for families

Catering ideas for formal events

Catering ideas for corporate events

Ideas for catering breakfast and brunch events

Catering ideas for bar or cafe events

Catering ideas for networking events

Unique catering ideas to wow your guests

Ideas for catering for community events

For community and general events, make sure you cater to all dietary requirements and have ingredients in stock to satisfy everyone’s food preferences. The last thing you want is for someone to ask for a plant-based menu and you have no options for them. You can also plan in advance by asking guests if they have any dietary restrictions when they’re at the purchasing stage.  

The list below covers some creative catering ideas to take your community event to the next level. If you want even more inspiration, use Eventbrite to discover how other event organisers host catering events in your area.

A food truck serving event attendees

1: Food trucks

Food trucks are always a crowd-pleaser. For event organisers, they offer a hands-off approach where you leave the food to the pros and focus on running a great event. From an event budgeting perspective, food trucks offer flexibility. Depending on the ticket prices you want to set, you can include food in the ticket price or allow attendees to pay for it separately. 

✨Doing it well: With Urban Oasis, attendees can enjoy Kidchella. Each food truck offers plenty of healthy and tasty options so attendees can sample a wide variety of delicious items. 

2: Farm-to-table meal 

The local food movement is alive and kicking. Whether your event attendees are true locavores or just people who appreciate a good meal, serving up a farm-to-table dinner can be the highlight of your event. Farm-to-table could mean hosting an event at a local farm, with food prepared on-site — or it could simply mean prioritising local food vendors in your catering search. 

✨Doing it well: The Paradise Co-operative hosted an exclusive Community Growing Session at a unique urban farm just minutes from central London. At the event, attendees enjoyed freshly prepared foods featuring seasonal ingredients grown on-site. 

3: Gluten-free options 

Around 1 in every 100 British people are gluten intolerant —  and many others try to avoid gluten in their diets for general health reasons. Fortunately, there are many more gluten-free options available today than ever before. You can either provide a gluten-free alternative (rice crackers for your cheese plate, for example) or choose a menu that’s naturally free of gluten (like quinoa bowls). 

4: Vegetarian and vegan options 

In Britain, around 5.8% of the population is vegetarian. However, many more are taking steps to reduce their consumption of animal products. Showcasing delicious vegetarian options that appeal to everyone, regardless of diet, will help all attendees feel welcome and seen. And as an event creator, skipping pricey meat products can help you cut costs. 

To keep guests satiated, try to include some alternative proteins on your menu. Tofu, tempeh, chickpeas, and even meat alternatives like Beyond Meat are great options.

✨Doing it well: Prime Impact’s event Vegan Life Live allows attendees to sample vegan delicacies from various vendors, plus speakers and experts from the plant-based movement.

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Customers ordering at fish and chips truck / Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/Gwv-t9VQiPM

5: Pop-up restaurant 

A pop-up restaurant brings all the charm of an established eatery to an unexpected location. Staging a pop-up is a great way to give guests an experience that goes beyond the food. Offer any dish you like; a set menu often works best and helps keep with the theme of a restaurant experience. Possible locations include:

Whatever the setting, just be sure to work with the restaurant or caterer to make sure they have what they need to meet their food quality standards. This might mean renting extra chafing dishes or opting for a venue with adequate kitchen space on-site. 

6: Composting-friendly meals

Managing waste is a big part of planning a sustainable event. A composting initiative at your event demonstrates you’re invested in sustainable practices and helps attendees feel good about their choices.

Your first step should be contacting your local city or county government to explore composting options. If your area has a high-heat composting facility, they can often accept paper plates, paper napkins, and even wood/bamboo utensils. Make sure to check what’s compostable in your area, and then work with the city officials to have composting bins on-site. 

Kids playing at a family-friendly event

Catering ideas for events for families

For family festivals and any other child-friendly events, there are two main catering considerations:

Let’s get some inspiration to get started. 

7: Popcorn bowl bar 

Reminiscent of movie nights and celebrations, popcorn gives a festive air to your event. Combine it with a variety of toppings, including:

8: Rolled ice cream parlour 

The rolled ice cream craze sprung out of Southeast Asia, where street vendors discovered an entertaining way to make ice cream before their customers’ eyes in seconds. Making rolled ice cream requires using a negative 30-degree cold plate and whatever toppings you can think of. Bring that novelty to your summer events and experiment with flavours, such as:

Because it requires specialised equipment, you’ll likely need to work with a supplier to serve your guests. 

9: Shaved ice 

An ancient Japanese dessert that has become popular globally — shaved ice — takes the traditional American snow cone and turns it into something more exotic. Spice things up with toppings such as lychee and a watermelon-strawberry-coconut mix known as “tiger’s blood.”

✨Doing it well: Monique Paul hosted an Ice Cream Party for school students, their families, and members of staff where they ​​could taste unique ice cream flavours they haven’t tried before.

10: Unicorn food 

Technically speaking, unicorns aren’t real. But that doesn’t stop unicorn food from being a legit food category, defined as meals prepared with vibrant colours or fun shapes. Think fresh fruits cut into shapes like stars or sweets piled into colourful mountains. Your imagination’s the limit!

Attendees serving themselves at a buffet

Catering ideas for formal events

At a formal event, attendees will often expect a higher calibre of food. While you don’t need to serve steak and lobster, you will want to step it up a notch. Opt for a plated meal service (instead of a buffet) to really elevate your attendees’ experience. 

Use these high-end catering ideas to impress guests at your next formal event. 

11: Chef’s table 

Recruit a local or celebrity chef (even better, a local celebrity chef!) to conduct hands-on demos for attendees. People love cooking shows, and a chef’s table is like a cooking show with a live audience — and a delicious sample at the end! 

✨Doing it well: Delirium Dining Club hosts a regular chef’s dinner as a Best of British series. A fine dining experience showcasing the very best ingredients and authentic flavours in a relaxed and social setting that challenges the perceptions, emotions and senses of experimental diners.

12: Collaborate with local restaurants 

Reaching out to local restaurants can be a great way to create connections and land food and drink partnerships. Even restaurants that don’t provide full catering may be interested in sampling one of their specialty dishes or even providing bar service. It can be helpful to reach out to newer restaurants in your area, as they can benefit most from the exposure your event could bring. 

13: Posh pasta

Italian cuisine is full of well-loved dishes that can easily be scaled to cater to larger groups. Start with staples like spaghetti carbonara or Neapolitan pizza, or try other options like:

Step the creativity up a notch by offering more obscure Italian dishes. Sure, everyone loves pizza — but a well-prepared, unique dish will really make your event memorable. Or plan an event around Italian food itself — perhaps on February 13th, National Italian Food Day!

✨Doing it well: The Upper Place hosts a wide variety of Italian cuisine-inspired events, including a popular Bottomless Pasta event. 

Catering ideas for corporate events

Corporate events are often busy affairs. When planning a corporate event, consider ways that you can save time for your attendees. Pre-packaged foods can save a lot of time, as can drop-off catering (where the catering company stops by at a specific time to set up buffet tables, then returns later for clean-up). 

Use these corporate event catering ideas for some ways to keep busy guests satisfied at your next professional event. 

14: Shakshuka shake-up 

This Middle Eastern delicacy can be served in one large dish, leaving your guests at liberty to enjoy as much or as little as they want. This makes it perfect for brunch catering, where you’ll accommodate a range of appetites.

At a seated meal, you could also have one large dish of shakshuka at each table. Serve it with fresh crusty bread or Mediterranean flatbread for a balanced meal.

15: French cheese board 

Fruit and cheese platters go just as well for lunch as they do for dinner. Plus, finger foods like cheese and crackers enable guests to mingle while they snack. Follow the French tradition by providing a luxurious, long-lunch experience filled with artisanal cheeses and gourmet delicacies.

✨Doing it well: Fortnum & Mason hosted the Cheese Tasting with Emma Young event where attendees can enjoy an evening of cheese and wine, as she delves into the subject of cheese flavours and mould in cheese. 

16: Corporate buffet lunch 

Set up a buffet to cater to various tastes. This means your corporate guests can spend more time networking and less time worrying about what to order. You can work with a local catering company to provide drop-off catering or self-cater by picking up premade charcuterie boards or sandwich platters from a local vendor. 

17: Creative bento boxes

The bento box is a traditional Japanese meal that packs a variety of tasty bites into a convenient, compartmentalised package. They offer a variety of flavours, and attendees will appreciate the novel touch. Potential ingredients include:

Bento boxes are a creative twist on the classic boxed lunch and are sure to please at your next corporate event.

18: Novelty box lunches 

Pack a surprise theme or novelty twist into your guests’ box lunches, a bit like an adult Happy MealⓇ. Take advantage of the easier setup and delivery this menu offers by hosting your event in a more relaxed location, like a park.

6 food ideas for catering a brunch event

Ideas for catering breakfast and brunch events

Breakfast can be anything from a quick grab-and-go snack to a luxurious weekend brunch meal. It really depends on the event type! If you’re hosting a multi-day conference, for instance, your attendees will likely want to grab something quick before heading to their next session. But if you’re hosting a boozy brunch for Mother’s Day, opt for a luxurious-coursed brunch affair. 

In any case, use these breakfast and brunch catering ideas for some inspiration. 

19: Artisanal doughnuts 

It started with the cronut, the unbelievably delicious croissant-doughnut hybrid popularised by NYC pastry chef Dominique Ansel. Now, speciality doughnut shops are popping up everywhere, and your event could be another showcasing opportunity. A doughnut or two is an excellent addition to a breakfast box catering package.

✨Doing it well: Doughlicious hosts events for amateur bakers and bread enthusiasts where they can share recipes and techniques in a relaxed atmosphere and engage in hands-on activities.

20: Coffee bar

Coffee is a mainstay for corporate event catering — and a must at any morning event. Elevate standard offerings with some creativity and a diverse coffee bar that has it all: pour-overs, cold brew, nitro coffee, and all kinds of plant-based milk. Not sure how to pull this off? Enlist your local coffee shop as an event vendor.

21: Smoothie bowl bar 

Smoothie bowls are a fun, light breakfast option that inspires attendees’ creativity as they mix and match different toppings to adorn their bowls of deliciousness. While you can prep toppings ahead of time, you’ll need at least one helper on hand to blend fresh smoothies. 

✨Doing it well: Urban Oasis hosted the Energized Wellness Morning event, where pilates lovers received smoothie bowls and fresh juices. 

22: Breakfast bowl bonanza

Beautiful breakfast bowls typically contain fruit, oats, yoghurt, and superfoods like acai, chia, and hemp — a perfect choice if you want to offer a healthy menu. Serve them in compostable bowls so the planet benefits, too.

To elevate your attendees’ morning, consider pairing a nutritious breakfast with a breakout session, like a brief guided meditation.

23: Themed fruit and cheese platters 

Everyone loves a good fruit and cheese platter — but we’ve all seen them a lot at events. To elevate your offering, consider sourcing cheese from a certain region or offering expert information on each ingredient’s origin and production to keep things interesting. 

24: On-the-go grain bowls 

Low-GI, super-healthy grains are increasingly prominent in many peoples’ diets. From a fruity muesli mix to more exotic varieties like forbidden rice, grain bowls are a versatile option for your event’s catering. Consider experimenting with:

As an added benefit, many popular grain bowls are naturally vegan and gluten-free. Plus, they’re easy to prep ahead of time and can typically be served at room temperature. Opt for a high-protein variety like quinoa to keep guests satiated. 

✨Doing it well: youFloria Ltd capitalised on the rice bowl trend by hosting a fun floristry class with delicious grain bowls to finish.

Catering ideas for bar or cafe events

At bars and cafes, the focus may shift from food items to beverages. And these days, it’s not just alcohol that’s on the menu: Guests will appreciate a variety of both alcoholic and N/A drinks.

Use these creative catering ideas to keep your next bar event boring-free. 

Cocktail and mocktail vendor at an event

25: Zero-proof cocktails

A whopping 32% of Brits are trying to drink less alcohol in 2024. But these days, soft drinks and water just won’t cut it for a memorable experience. Providing non-alcoholic cocktail options with a fun twist is something every catering event organiser should consider. Guests will appreciate alternatives.

Mocktails can also help you cut catering costs. If you want to still offer guests alcohol, you can add the option for guests to pay to upgrade their mocktail to a traditional cocktail.

✨Doing it well: Loch Lomond Shores hosted a Mocktails Masterclass for the sober-curious in Loch Lomond. 

26: Unique treats from around the world

For this catering idea, take a traditionally loved food (like pancakes), and add an international twist. For example, fluffy Japanese soufflé pancakes are sure to be a hit! These cloud-like pancakes can be accompanied by whatever toppings you can dream up, making them a great option to cater to diverse tastes.

27: Beverage tastings for all palates

Everyone loves a good beverage tasting. You can adapt this idea to fit just about any event type — from a craft beer tasting at a local brewery to an apple cider tasting at a family-friendly event. 

Ideally, source multiple varieties of each beverage so guests can compare. This could also be an opportunity for in-kind sponsorship, where companies donate their beverages in exchange for exposure at your event. 

✨Doing it well: The Birmingham Brewing Company hosted the Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting, with local brewers on-site to treat guests to the latest microbrews. 

28: Tea party

Did you know that the world population consumes around three cups of tea for every cup of coffee? Celebrate the prevalence of tea with a themed tea party at your next event. 

Serve a selection of tea varieties, from Indian Darjeeling to Japanese Matcha. The vibrant green hue of matcha tea makes it super-photogenic — perfect for social media posts!

Event attendees networking

Catering ideas for networking events

At a networking event, offering small plates with non-messy foods is best. It’s also a good idea to provide standing-height small tables throughout the event space so guests can set down their plates and drinks.

29: Skewer variety packs

Grilled meat or vegetables on skewers are a classic for a good reason. Their bite-sized portions are great for when you want guests to be able to do more than just eat. Adapt them to cater to diverse food preferences. Potential skewer ingredients include:

To elevate your catering from standard meat-on-a-stick, serve a wide variety of foods and skewer types to suit all tastes.

30: Worldwide tapas

Originating from Spain but popular worldwide, tapas are delicious, small plates of food. There are many varieties, meaning you can cater to all your guests’ dietary preferences.

Mouth-watering tapas include:

Traditional Spanish tapas are a safe bet for any event — but don’t be afraid to get creative here with cuisines from all around the world. 

✨Doing it well: Vino Turco hosted a Wine and Tapas event with both traditional cuisine and creative fusion flavours along with delicious wine pairings.

31: Bespoke toast bar

Toast isn’t just for breakfast anymore. Dressed-up bread with combinations of toppings, from smashed avocado to chèvre cheese, is a wholesome spin on the old bagel bar. 

Looking for food catering suggestions that are both trendy and budget-friendly? Spread a little flavour on toast, and watch your guests’ faces light up. You could even set up a dedicated “toast bar” where guests could select their own toppings. 

Four unique ideas for event catering foods

Unique food ideas to wow your guests

For any event, these unique ideas can add that extra “wow” factor! Use these outside-the-box ideas in your event marketing to attract more attendees. 

32: Miniature foods 

Miniature food is the art of reducing traditional meals down to snackable portions. This way, you can deliver guest favourites while keeping your offerings light. One option is the mini-burger, shrinking down your standard burger into something you can eat with two fingers. Other options include:

Mini snacks can also be an affordable catering idea for event creators on a tight budget. 

33: Bánh mì 

Vietnamese for “bread” or “baguette”, bánh mì is a sandwich that includes traditional Vietnamese ingredients like pickled daikon, coriander, and spicy chilli. Typically a casual street food, bánh mì sandwiches are a perfect stand-and-eat choice for a busy event.

Bánh mì is quick to assemble, so you could easily add customization options with a variety of proteins (pork, tofu, etc.) for guests to choose from.

34: Fermented foods

Kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut – in centuries past, fermented foods were a smart way to preserve food for longer. These foods will give attendees a probiotic boost that’s also delicious — and trendy! 

Some fermented foods can be a hard sell for those unfamiliar (yes, kimchi has an aggressive smell!) To elevate your catering setup, include brief descriptions of each food item and highlight the gut-boosting benefits of fermented foods. 

35: Spicy fried chicken 

Bring the flavour of the Deep South with this spiced-up version of fried chicken. Cowboy hats not included. Serve fried chicken alongside traditional sides like grits and cornbread, or make fried chicken sandwiches on biscuits. 

Ready to start cooking up your next event? 

Whether you’re self-catering or using an external vendor, getting creative with your refreshments and meals can really pay off. The food you serve can have a big impact on your attendees’ experience — so make sure to focus on serving up something unique and tasty!

When you’re ready to start planning, get equipped with the right tools. Eventbrite is the leading event management software for event organisers. Our tools can help you plan better events, sell more tickets, and simplify your business.