It’s hard to imagine that 2024 is coming to an end in just two short months. But as we look ahead, the culinary world is expected to bring exciting immersive experiences, elevated artisanal beverages, and eco-friendly practices.
Leading the charge is Goode Co. Catering & Events. Nestled in Houston’s “Space City” and the heart of Texas, we’re already leading the charge with live carving, resourceful cooking methods, and interactive activities that are as diverse and rich as the city. Not to mention, we cater to your guests’ needs with our wide selection of menus, including authentic BBQ, traditional Tex-Mex, Creole-infused seafood, customizable specialty cocktails, and more.
Let’s take a peek into the future of what catering will look like next year. Go ahead and get inspired with Goode Co. Catering & Events’ top five catering trends for 2025.
Top Catering Trends for 2025: Sustainability, Artisanal Beverages, and More
Sustainable Catering
As more people continue to make eco-friendly lifestyle choices, it’s only a matter of time before that’s reflected in special event catering practices. In 2025, we predict that caterers will have more eco-conscious options, including compostable serving ware, more controlled meal proportions to reduce waste, and recycled materials used for decorations and displays.
Taking this planet-friendly approach to catering doesn’t have to feel stressful, either. Securing your guest count ahead of time is a simple, easy way to eliminate food waste. If you’re working with Goode Co. Catering & Events and our event specialist, we’ll know how much food to prep and plate ahead of your big day. Plus, when working with us, we also do live carving on site, so your guests are not only getting freshly cooked ingredients, but perfectly controlled portions.
Fresh Food
In addition to sustainable options, people are craving fresh, handmade foods after years, if not decades, of eating processed food. Goode Co. Catering & Events has mastered the art of serving guests the freshest cuts with quality ingredients. We make the most of everything with our full-service and delivery menus, slow-smoking BBQ meats, seafood, and Tex-Mex favorites (fajitas and chicken) over stacks of mesquite. Once we’ve smoked our meats, we carve them to order and plate them to please. It’s the secret to leaving a lasting impression on your guests long after they’ve gone home.
When we’re not sizzling our flame-kissed meats, which isn’t often, we’re chopping the freshest fruits and vegetables to bring you garden-fresh guacamole and pico de gallo that tastes like abuela’s home cooking. Whether you’re narrowing down your fall catering ideas or planning catering for an upcoming corporate event, start thinking of ways to incorporate fresh food into the menu.
Come 2025, newly harvested foods that are cooked and cut on-site will become the norm. But considering Goode Co. Catering & Events has been doing this for almost 50 years, you could say we’ve been ahead of the trend.
Artisanal Beverages
The food presentation isn’t the only way to inspire guests and enhance their experience. Craft culture is becoming the new go-to style for caterers—and we don’t see this food and dining trend slowing down in 2025. Go ahead and wow the guests at your Houston event with artisanal beverage pairings that bring flavor and flair to your menu. Between a curated wine flight or locally brewed craft beer, the options are endless.
But if you’re unsure where to start, Goode Co. Catering & Events provides a wide selection of cocktails in our full-service menu, including our famous Damn Goode Margaritas, Luckenbach Mule, and Ranch Water cocktail. For beers, we serve Texans’ go-to’s, including Lone Star and Shiner Bock, as well as craft beer like a Local Pilsner, Hefeweizen, Amber Ale, or IPA.
In addition, we offer customizable packages with our Yonderlust beverage service. Our little Airstream-turned-bar provides the drinks Texans love to your home or a Houston hot spot. Whether you’re planning a holiday event or looking for the right venue to host your guests, we’ll make sure the drinks lift their spirits.
Mocktails on the Menu
Although many guests are drawn to an event because of its open bar, not everyone drinks alcohol. One of the top catering trend predictions of 2025 is that people will want to have more drink options, including alcohol-free beverages that still feel classy and upscale. Goode Co. Catering & Events offers a vast menu of non-alcoholic choices, including iced tea, lemonade, aguas frescas, coffee, and specialty mocktails.
Immersive Experiences
Choosing a full-service caterer that goes above and beyond will be a big hit in 2025. With Goode Co. Catering & Events, we’ll make sure guests have a mouthwatering meal and an even more memorable experience. That means, we’ll setting up an interactive layout that encourages attendees to break the ice, partake in immersive activities, and toast to one another.
And depending on your Houston party, whether you’re planning a large corporate event or a small holiday gathering, our event specialist will create an interactive experience for your guests. Think: fun displays to take photos or play games, as well as immersive stations like our Airstream-to-bar service. Want a petting zoo, yard games, or actual longhorns? We can make it happen, too.
Book Goode Co. Catering for Your Next Event
Ready to plan next year’s event with the top 2025 catering predictions? Book Goode Co. Catering & Events to set up your party. We provide full-service and delivery menus that feature BBQ catering, Tex-Mex catering, seafood catering, and other light bites. In addition, we take the guesswork out of choosing the best venue for your holiday party or laid-back birthday bash, as we own several private and semi-private venues sprawled across Houston, including Upper Kirby, Memorial, Cypress, and The Woodlands. Need to find vendors for your event or specialty cocktails that pair perfectly with your food? We got that covered, too. From selecting the menu to setting up, we’ll ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
Contact us and share the details of your upcoming Houston event—date and time, head count, type of event, and desired location—so we can start the planning process and get ahead of the 2025 catering trends.
If you are planning a holiday corporate event make sure to book catering early!