Hybrid events are now a staple of the corporate calendar, offering greater accessibility, flexibility, and audience reach. But while event planners have mastered the technology for streaming and engagement, catering for hybrid audiences remains one of the most overlooked, and creatively evolving, aspects of modern event design. Now, organisers are finding innovative ways to deliver shared food experiences that bring remote and in-person participants together, wherever they are in the world…
Bringing Everyone to the Table
For in-person attendees, food has always been central to the event experience: a chance to network, refuel, and engage informally. The challenge lies in extending that same sense of connection to those joining remotely.
Event planners are increasingly partnering with catering and logistics providers to offer home-delivered meal kits, snack boxes, or regional vouchers that allow virtual attendees to enjoy the same dishes or flavours as those served on-site. Some organisations even schedule simultaneous meal breaks or shared tasting sessions, creating moments of connection across both audiences.
This approach transforms catering from a logistical element into a bonding experience, reinforcing inclusion and equality between all attendees.
Live-Streamed Dining Experiences
Creative event teams are also integrating culinary content into their hybrid formats. Live-streamed cooking demos, interactive cocktail classes, and virtual wine tastings allow remote participants to actively take part, not just observe.
By supplying ingredients or equipment in advance, organisers turn what might have been a passive virtual lunch break into a shared, experiential activity. These experiences also double as brand engagement opportunities, providing a tangible takeaway for attendees long after the event ends.
Sustainability and Scalability
Sustainability remains a key concern, particularly when catering must span multiple locations. Forward-thinking organisers are sourcing local partners for meal kit fulfilment, using compostable packaging, and offering vegetarian-first menus to reduce carbon footprints. Some are partnering with social enterprises that provide food while supporting community initiatives, turning catering into a force for good.
At scale, this distributed catering model also reduces waste, allowing precise forecasting and customisation based on dietary preferences and attendance data.
The Future of Hybrid Hospitality
As hybrid events become more sophisticated, catering will play a central role in uniting dispersed audiences. Whether it’s sharing the same coffee blend, joining a chef-led demo, or receiving a surprise doorstep delivery, food creates a powerful emotional bridge between digital and physical spaces.
In 2026, the most memorable hybrid events will be those that make everyone feel part of the same table, no matter where they’re sitting.
Top 6 Ways to Deliver Inclusive Catering for Hybrid Events
- Mirror the Menu Across Channels
Offer the same dishes or ingredients to in-person and remote attendees through meal kits or local partner deliveries to create a shared experience. - Host Live-Streamed Culinary Experiences
Include interactive cooking demos, cocktail classes, or tasting sessions so remote participants can cook, sip, or snack alongside those in the room. - Personalise and Localise
Work with local caterers near remote attendees to source regional ingredients or sustainable alternatives — cutting logistics costs and emissions. - Prioritise Sustainability
Use eco-friendly packaging, plant-forward menus, and zero-waste strategies across both delivery and onsite service to meet ESG goals. - Make It Interactive
Encourage participants to share their plates, photos, or tasting notes via event apps or live polls to build engagement across audiences. - Collaborate early
Liaise with caterers and logistics providers to ensure delivery timing, dietary needs, and sustainability standards align seamlessly across all locations.
Are you searching for Catering solutions for your next project? The Event Organisers Summit can help!
Photo by logan jeffrey on Unsplash
