2020: The Year of Eco Conscious Events

During this time of year, the foliage starts to change color, and the wind kicks up to help trees shed their leaves. This process helps trees with conserving water and energy during harsh winter weather. This is just one of Mother Nature’s ways of reminding us that change is both natural and necessary. As time moves on, our environment provides us with symbols that represent the need for continued growth for all living things. This means this time of year is the moment when we take on an attitude of “out with the old and in with the new.” At Z Catering in Gilbert, AZ, it is a chance for us to get excited about the hot new catering trends for 2020. With a focus on eco-friendliness and sustainability at the forefront, we are on board with making your affair enjoyable for you and your guests, while paying homage to planet Earth.

Fresh Food
Sticking with the 2020 environmentally friendly focus, food is to be local, fresh, and straight from the source. At Z Catering, we understand that the best food comes from scratch. With that in mind, rest assured that this is how Z Catering makes all of our pastas, breads, and pastries. We also appreciate that many of your guests may have chosen to leave a smaller footprint on our ecosystem by following alternative nutritional guidelines. To accommodate these requests, we offer menu options for any dietary need, including gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, and halal. Some hosts are opting for grazing stations with “buttoned up” versions of comfort foods, rather than going with a traditional buffet. This type of setup provides perfect Instagrammable moments for guests, as well as gets them interacting with one another. Others are deciding on a formal plated dinner to generate an elevated, elegant atmosphere. Either way, Z Catering can arrange for eco-friendly tableware for plating and serving. Another thing to consider is that guests are moving away from sugar laden treats and are embracing savory, spicy, salty, and acidic tastes instead. Our various appetizers, such as assorted bruschettas, skewers, pancetta wrapped shrimp, or antipasto and cheese boards are a perfect choice for satisfying these continents of your palate. Contact us today at (480) 747-0756 or dina@zcateringaz.com to set up a tasting; you won’t be disappointed.

Dynamic Drinks
The trend that has us most excited is the return of the aperitif, which are drinks that are served for stimulating the appetite. Since 2020 is leaning towards gin and tonic cocktail menus, we suggest making a Negroni your top choice for an aperitif. The Negroni is a popular Italian cocktail, made of one part gin, one part vermouth rosso, and one part Campari, with an orange peel garnish. This drink is not shaken but stirred and served in an old-fashioned glass. If that does not peak your interest, perhaps a selection of your favorite still, dry champagne or light white wine would. Let our staff at Z Catering assist you with choosing an aperitif that compliments your menu choices and pleases your guest’s palates. In terms of a cash or open bar, take the time to create a personalized cocktail or mocktail menu that represents the theme of your gathering. When thinking of flavor combinations, 2020 is all about the use of bold colors and exotic flavors, such as dragonfruit or prickly pear. These choices allow guests to experience something innovative, which reinforces that your party is one of a kind. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you want to choose sustainable options for drinkware. Let the experts at Z Catering help you accomplish this. We offer a licensed bartender package that includes bar setup, ice, and glassware. If you are envisioning guests sipping their drinks through straws, consider going with biodegradable straws. There are many options out there now that can be coordinated with your theme while reducing the amount of plastic ending up in our oceans. This is yet another way for your occasion to stay on trend and commemorate eco consciousness.

All in all, catering in 2020 is all about revamping, renewing, and recycling. Trends from a decade ago are being updated to include an environmentally sound twist. Our staff at Z Catering is prepared to assist you with creating an experience that is both on trend and focused on the environment. Let us help you with planning and executing a “green” celebration that will not only be sustainable for the planet but also in the memories of you and your guests. Z Catering is also available to tackle your catering needs with the convenience of pick-up or delivery service, as well as online ordering. Find us on the web at www.zcateringaz.com or contact us at 480-747-0756. Remember, even though we are located in Gilbert, AZ, we serve customers around the entire Phoenix metro area. Give us a call today!