quiet luxury catering
How design-driven menus are redefining corporate events
The days of generic buffets and endless platters are over. In 2025, corporate catering is undergoing a quiet revolution - one where less is more, and every detail tells a story. We designed an event for a brand new Scandinavian furniture shop that highlighted this shift - it was quiet luxury in action.
What's Driving This Change?
Quiet luxury emerged as a major catering trend in 2024 and continues to grow in popularity. It's driven by a fundamental shift in what clients expect: refined, upscale food moments that emphasise quality over extravagance. Guests no longer want crowded tables with endless dishes competing for attention. They want something that reflects refinement, care, and authenticity.
46% of consumers are actively buying more sustainable products to reduce their carbon footprint. Sustainability is no longer a trend - it's becoming a standard expectation.
The Scandi Furniture Shop: A Case Study in Quiet Luxury
We didn't just want to serve food so we created an experience that mirrored the brand's entire aesthetic. The brief was clear: welcome 100 guests with beautifully styled canapés designed to match the minimalist, design-led vision of the space. Every element mattered. The menu reflected this precision.
Rye, gravadlax, pickled cucumber ribbons, dill oil, horseradish
Beef tartare, capers and shallot, charcoal cracker
Mini hot dogs, mustard, crispy onions on brioche rolls
Roasted beetroot tart, filo tartlet, remoulade (vegan option)
Herring gilda (gluten-free option)
Rosemary shortbread, whipped blue cheese, walnut praline and pickled diced pear
Small, refined bites were presented on neutral, natural textures with slate and stainless-steel finishes, complemented by herbaceous garnishes, symmetry, repetition, and soft linen detailing to create a cohesive, design-led culinary experience.
The drinks were equally considered: Sea Buckthorn, Apple and Thyme Spritz. Aquavit Sour with Honey. Bespoke cocktails that felt as curated as the food itself.
Why This Approach Works?
This is what the industry calls "experiential catering". The key elements of quiet luxury catering follow.
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Presentation shapes how guests interact with food. Instead of crowded tables with generic trays, we use design principles that highlight the elegance of simplicity. Slate and stainless-steel finishes. Neutral, natural textures. Herbaceous garnishes. The food becomes part of the event's visual narrative.
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Guests engage all five senses. The visual appeal of artfully arranged canapés. The aroma of fresh dill and Nordic herbs. The texture of charcoal crackers and crispy onions. The taste of premium ingredients - gravadlax, blue cheese, roasted beetroot. This is immersive dining.
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We offered vegan and gluten-free options without compromising on sophistication. Roasted beetroot tart for plant-based guests. Herring gilda for those avoiding gluten. Every guest felt looked after.
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Custom cocktails transform an event into a conversation starter. The Sea Buckthorn and Apple Thyme Spritz wasn't just a drink - it was a reflection of Nordic culinary thinking. Aquavit Sour with Honey showed understanding of Scandinavian spirits and modern mixology.
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We always source locally and emphasise seasonal ingredients, we understand farm-to-table principles and minimal waste. It's not about marketing sustainability - it's about embedding it into every decision.
Housed within our fully mobile pop-up coffee bar, the setup can be positioned in small or hard-to-reach locations, making it ideal for film sets, events, and private gatherings.
The catering industry is shifting. Interactive food stations are redefining luxury dining. Grazing tables are replacing formal buffets. Miniature tasting menus are becoming the gold standard for corporate events. Live cooking stations add theatre and engagement.
But here's what separates the leaders from the rest: understanding that catering is no longer just about food. It's about creating moments. It's about design. It's about making guests feel like they're part of something intentional.
The Competitive Advantage
Caterers who master quiet luxury attract high-end corporate clients, design-focused brands, and event planners who understand that food is part of the brand experience, not an afterthought.
It’s about so much more than feeding 100 people. It’s about creating a dining experience that reinforces the brand's values - minimalism, Nordic heritage, attention to detail, sustainability, and refined taste.
What's Next? The future of catering is here. It's design-led. It's experiential. It's sustainable. It's personal. And it commands respect. You meed caterers who understand that every plate, every garnish, every drink is part of a larger narrative. We already get it.
