ON THE MENU “Everything now is all about the visual impact,” says Lauren Mozer, founder, executive chef and CEO of elle cuisine in Toronto. “We used to say you eat with your eyes first, but not anymore. You eat with your phone first.” Here, Mozer shares what will—and won’t—be on our plates next year. Food as Performance Art: Guests expect dishes that delight the eye before the palate—towering dessert displays, giant pavlovas and cloudlike puffs of smoke are part of the show. Social media shareability now drives menu planning and presentation, with every bite designed to be both delicious and post-worthy. Formats in Flux: The era of plated dinners is giving way to shared plates and family-style service. Especially popular with younger audiences, shared dining replaces formality with warmth and makes every meal feel like a gathering of friends. In addition, with smaller teams and tighter schedules, caterers are trading in live action stations for self-serve displays. Layered textures, sculp- tural risers and strategic lighting turn buffet tables into visual centrepieces— designed to look flawless for hours and photograph beautifully. Mindful Menus: Halal, vegan and gluten-free options are now expected, while pork is rarely seen on event menus, says Mozer. The Rise of the Mocktail: The non-alcoholic movement is in full swing. Many organizations—particularly in law, tech and finance—are capping alcohol ser- vice or eliminating it altogether. In response, mixologists are elevating zero- proof cocktails with premium ingredients, botanicals and layered flavours. Canada Proud: Menus are celebrating Canada’s diverse bounty, from Ontario morels and Quebec maple syrup to West Coast salmon and prairie grains. “Canadian cuisine” has evolved to mean regional, seasonal and multicultural, expressing identity through local sourcing. Timing is Everything: Events are happening earlier and during the week. Guests—and planners—are prioritizing balance. Weekday gatherings that start at 5 pm and wrap by 9 pm are replacing late-night galas, reflecting corporate wellness values and changing lifestyles. 2026 TREND REPORT Amped-Up Event Apps “Attendees are no longer satisfied with being passive spectators,” says George Wong, president of PheedLoop. “They are looking for interactive experiences and, above all, opportunities to connect with others.” With that in mind, here are Wong’s thoughts on what will be trending in event apps. Engagement is Everything: Event apps are no longer just digital schedules—they’re engines for active participation. Tools like live polls, Q&A, gamification and AI-powered matchmaking are now essential to keep both in-person and virtual audiences involved. Powered-up Personalization: Event apps that deliver tailored content, AI-driven agenda recommendations and branded interfaces increase engagement and make events feel truly worth the time. Real-Time ROI Tracking: Event apps with live dashboards that track booth visits, engagement levels and lead capture help organizers demonstrate ROI, justify investment and secure future partnerships. Post-Event Connection and Continuity: The most effective event apps now extend beyond the closing session. Automated follow-ups, surveys and audience segmentation tools turn post-event data into ongoing engagement. This helps planners nurture leads, retain attendees and transform one-time participants into long-term community members. 34 | Ignitemag.ca | Winter 2025
