2020 Food Display & Presentation Trends

As demographics shift to younger traveling professionals, unique dining opportunities are becoming an ever-increasing part of tourist and business traveler experiences. Food and beverage offerings have grown into a major point of differentiation for hotels, resorts and conventions centers looking to stand out and capture more business.

Beyond cultivating fresh takes on great food and finding the best people for your kitchen and waitstaff to give incredible guest experiences, if you really want to be a trendsetter, a first-class experience is also tied to your presentation. These foodservice presentation trends for 2020 will help you stand out.

Natural materials

Capitalizing on the trends of monochromatic color choices along with more and more naturally-sourced, less processed foods, stone, wood and metal looks are in. Providing a natural backdrop to your food displays not only lets you avoid the hassle of dealing with linens but provides a cleaner more contemporary look for sophisticated guests.

Natural materials can be carried throughout your property. From a beautiful wood-look buffet table with hammered aluminum serving dishes to a drinks and snack station set up with wood trays, this trend can elevate the look of a room while telling your guests you’re making smart, natural choices when it comes to their food and how you show it off. Combining different natural materials means you don’t have to match every piece of furniture, and you can still achieve a cohesive look that allows the food to shine.

Interactive stations

Food display doesn’t have to be a static presentation. Make display and serving an experience for guests by incorporating interactivity. This could be something as simple as offering a choice of options to accompany a specific dish or having a carving station where staff can educate guests about the flavors they’re about to enjoy. Offering edible flowers can also bring an exciting twist of life and infuse colors into meals—even if they don’t necessarily impact the flavor too much. They look beautiful and they offer another unique talking point for your guests.

Whatever you choose, creating an experience will be more memorable for guests and you’ll be at the top of their list for a return visit.

Instagram moments

Love it or hate it, sharing food on social media has become a part of the dining experience for many people. Even though food delivery services have been on the rise, experiencing a meal that’s worthy of sharing on social media is a top priority for younger diners. They want a meal that’s an event— that teaches them about a new dish, technique, or culinary trend. A first-rate dining experience allows your guests to learn about what they’re tasting. At the same time, you can generate more exposure to potential guests by making your food and food displays part of this experience. Presentation materials should be more than functional; they also need to be an education piece or offer a great backdrop for the photos your guests will share.

Elevating your property by bringing in more contemporary foodservice displays and presentations helps you attract younger travelers hungry to dine on new experiences. Plus, you’ll gain more social media exposure and positive word-of-mouth to complement your 5-star food.