Elite Catering & Event Profs

Miami Beach was buzzing even more than usual the third week of March, when leaders from 15 of North America’s most influential catering companies gathered at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach. 🌴 These members of Elite Catering + Event Professionals (ECEP) were celebrating their fifth annual Symposium—a week of inspiring speakers, insight-packed sessions and memorable meals at top restaurants. 🍽️ The ECEP Trends Council convened at the conference, compiling a list of 10 catering and hospitality trends identified by these industry heavyweights. 📊 The third annual ECEP Trends Report reflects how catering’s most influential operators are reading the room—and redefining it. 🔥 👉 Read the full article and report on our website. Link in bio! Featuring @ecepglobal @proofthepudding @mculinaryconcepts @ridgewellsdc @bingemans @cedarspoon.ca @thecateredaffair @vestalscatering

FROM THE ECEP 2026 TREND REPORT: POP CULTURE COMES TO DINNER Ever since Andy Warhol transformed the everyday Campbell’s Soup Can into iconic art, the relationship between culture, branding, and cuisine has invited reinterpretation. Today, that influence is showing up on the plate. Caterers are drawing from recognizable brands and cultural touchpoints to create moments that feel both nostalgic and unexpected. @Vestalscatering , for example, reimagined the familiar shape and branding of an iconic chip container as a playful vessel for elevated chicken nuggets—transforming a casual snack into a conversation-worthy bite. Similarly, @MCulinaryconcepts leaned into the iconic soup can reference with a refined twist, serving soup “sips” in elegant demitasse cups—an homage that is both clever and elevated.

ECEP TREND REPORT 2026: GET THEM TALKING As guests become more curious and informed about what they’re eating, catering is leaning into that sense of anticipation. Passed hors d’oeuvres are no longer just a fleeting bite—they’re becoming conversation starters. @Ridgewellsdc is elevating the experience with trays featuring food-safe vinyl graphics that clearly name each offering. While this removes the guesswork, it enhances intrigue. Clever, evocative names invite guests to pause, read, and engage before taking a bite. These thoughtfully presented, single-layer bites carry more than flavor. They often reference a story, an ingredient, or a cultural influence, adding depth to even the smallest course. The result: food becomes a social connector. Guests gather, ask questions, and share reactions, turning a simple pass into a moment of interaction. The Third Annual ECEP Culinary Trends Report was compiled by members of Elite Catering + Event Professionals (ECEP), a collaborative network of leaders from the world’s top catering and hospitality organizations.

FROM THE 2026 ECEP TREND REPORT: Classic Flavors, Modern Techniques A renewed appreciation for classical cuisine is taking hold with a modern edge. From Proof of the Pudding @proofthepudding comes a trend that revisits the foundations of French culinary tradition while introducing contemporary techniques and a sense of tableside theater. Traditional sauces, precise methods, and disciplined culinary training are once again at the forefront. At the same time, innovations such as liquid nitrogen and modern presentation techniques add a layer of surprise and engagement. As Proof of the Pudding’s Senior VP of Culinary, Nick Klug notes, “We are leaving behind trend-chasing dishes that lack technical depth or culinary intention.” ABOUT... The Third Annual ECEP Culinary Trends Report was compiled by members of Elite Catering + Event Professionals (ECEP), a collaborative network of leaders from the world’s top catering and hospitality organizations.

The 2026 ECEP Trend Report will be released this week. Here's a sneak peek of a top trend identified by ECEP member @Bingemanscatering . "Taste the Brand: Reinforcing a Message Through Food." Robert Vongxray of Bingemans observes: "Personalization is shifting from custom menu options to full immersion. Clients want catering that feels like it belongs to their event, brand and people. Clients want a collaborative partner who helps create an experience. We are seeing more demand for co-creation of menus, presentation and branding details that fully integrate the event’s identity."

A stunning tablescape sets the scene for every course and every toast created by the team at ECEP member @btscenes . Thoughtful design + exceptional food and drink. That is the sweet spot where the guest experience comes alive. Behind the Magic: wedding planner | @theelegantday venue | @luceloft catering | @btscenes photographer | @lana.fotografiert rentals | @archiverentals @sigpartyrentals #ecepmemberrepost

Congratulations to ECEP member @footerscatering . Their two chefs of 20 years--Ronney Reynolds and Sam Robinson--are finalists for both the Colorado Event Alliance’s ICON Frontline Hero of the Year and the ICON Hall of Fame. @coeventalliance . Of them Footers writes: "Some chefs cook the food. Others define the experience. For over 20 years, Ronney Reynolds and Sam Robinson have done both—and our clients request them by name, year after year. It’s not just the food (though it’s exceptional). It’s the care. The consistency. The way they make people feel. One chef like this is rare. Two, side by side for decades? That’s something special. They’d say the other is better. We’ll say it: they’re both legends." #ecepmemberrepost

A bite-sized taste of Spring from ECEP member @24carrotscatering . 🌸 Fresh flavors, vibrant colors, and made for sharing. #ecepmemberrepost Photo 1, 2, 3, 4 @lorelymeza Photo 5 @amelialyonphoto

Chef Profile: Nick Klug Not every top chef starts his journey in the family kitchen. For Nick Klug of @proofthepudding , it was the energy of the professional kitchen that pulled him in, drawn to it culture, camaraderie, and the creativity it offered “The experience of being in a professional kitchen lit a spark in me," he says. "I loved being part of a crew—people who loved music, stayed late, and talked endlessly about food.” Executive Chef, Sr. VP of Culinary, ECEP member Proof of the Pudding, featured in @CFENews . Read the full article, link in bio.

CFE News was on the ground for the final day of the ECEP Symposium at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach in Miami Beach, where some of the most influential caterers in North America came together for three days of education, strategy and community. 🌴 We were honored to see this dynamic group in action! 🔜 Stay tuned for full coverage, insights and highlights from ECEP, coming soon to cfe-news.com and The Industry Dish newsletter! Join us today and subscribe for free, link in bio. Featuring @ecepglobal @proofthepudding @mculinaryconcepts @btscenes @fultonmarketconsulting #CFEnews #ECEP #ECEPSymposium #WeAreECEP #CateringIndustry #EventProfs #CateringProfessionals #RitzCarltonSouthBeach

Last night, the ECEP members attending Symposium in Miami didn’t just go to dinner. We stepped into an experience. @QueenMiamiBeach , housed in a historic Paris Theater that has been transformed into a bounty of opulence, offers more than a meal. It serves up culinary theater. From aerialists to DJs setting a rhythm, every moment reminded us that dining is performance. For top caterers, a night like this is as much studied as it is enjoyed. The atmosphere. The precision of the sushi. The indulgence. The choreography of service. The lighting. We take note of it all! The evening was a masterclass in experience design and cuisine Photos: Amanda Mazonkey | @proofthepudding

This morning, we all left the ECEP 2026 Symposium keynote a little more brilliant than we arrived. The reason? Speaker @SimonTBailey . Drawing from his State of Working America: Thriving in Resilience and Brilliance research, Simon reframed resilience not as endurance, but as a strategic advantage that fuels culture, drives productivity, and sustains well-being without burnout. His message was clear: the leaders who will thrive are the ones who choose to build environments rooted in hope, not fear. He left us with tangible ways to: • Inspire teams through uncertainty • Strengthen emotional, cultural, and financial resilience • Create cultures that move forward with confidence, not hesitation Simon brought us perspective and practicality. Most importantly, he brought us possibility. This is what ECEP is about. 🌟A brilliant collective of leaders committed to growing stronger together, sharing what works, and shaping what’s next. Photo Amanda Mazonkey | @proofthepudding