30 Euston Square recently questioned delegates and organisers on the ease of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The results show that 57% of attendees find it difficult or very difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle at events, signifying there is a need for healthier food choices.
The results also reflected statistics from 428 events hosted by 30 Euston Square during the summer of 2016 that revealed a 72% increase in requests for healthier menu choices compared to the same period in 2015. In response, the venue has refreshed its hospitality offering, with a focus on more creative healthier options.
30 Euston Square monitors both internal and national trends in the food and hospitality market to create varied, healthy and balanced menus for their events – fundamental parts of the 30 Euston Square food philosophy. In particular, “healthy swaps” are available across much of its offering, whilst heathy options in its latest menus are highlighted with the use of a “green leaf” motif.
Whilst the new menus include a variety of creative, flavoursome, rich and filling canapes, bowl food, private dining and international options, the additional focus on healthier options includes:
Healthy Swaps (instead of traditional biscuits and cakes):
Tropical fruit burst smoothie – mango ,banana & passion fruit with coconut milk
Homemade granola bar, high in nutrients & protein
Beetroot & cocoa cake with caramelised orange, high in iron & nitrates
Fork and finger buffet options such as: Harissa spiced salmon with a low fat yoghurt & mint dressing Tuscan salad with sun ripened tomatoes, basil, red onions, olives & wholemeal pasta (v) Low fat natural yoghurt mousse with summer berries (v)
Bowl food options, such as:
Cajun chicken, saffron & capsicum rice, finished with avocado, tomato & sweetcorn salsa
Chickpea, roast paneer & summer vegetable tagine with fruity couscous (v)
Tandoori baked cod on curried sweet potato & wilted spinach
Additionally, 30 Euston Square’s recently launched summer party packages include food stations and live-chef catering experiences such as Tapas, the Holy Smokes BBQ and Picnic in the Clouds that include healthier options. The live-chef option also includes the opportunity for organisers to create their own dishes – which can be as healthy (or not) as desired.
30 Euston Square’s General Manager Yvette Chatwin said; “The increased focus and demand for healthy catering requirements at meetings and events is more than just a trend – it is a lifestyle choice. At 30 Euston Square, we already go above and beyond with our catering but in order to meet the needs of of our delegates and event organisers we understand we must evolve our offering.”
“The new dishes and menus within the 2017 hospitality brochure are carefully designed to deliver the perfect balance between healthy, flavoursome and creative food, all of which will be well remembered after an event. They are built on fresh ingredients and where appropriate include superfoods and those known to have health benefits as we continually respond to changing delegate and client needs.”
Despite this focus and overwhelming data, anecdotally 30 Euston Square see more interest from delegates for healthy options during day time events, rather than evening receptions and dinners. They are therefore continuing to offer the more indulgent options so everyone can enjoy a positive food experience, appropriate to the style of their event.
The latest research which was conducted by 30 Euston Square across 177 individuals (131 event organisers and 46 delegates).