That means nailing the little details that add up to something great. From conferences to festivals, organisers are considering everything from the first coffee of the day to the local chefs that’ll get guests excited before they even hit the gates. And for attendees, with disposable income squeezed more than ever, every detail has to feel absolutely worth it.
In 2026, the way to a guest’s heart isn’t necessarily big, loud and flashy. We’re seeing trends rooted in nostalgia, community and simplicity, from rotisserie chicken to hyper-locality to Spanish and Portuguese cooking.
This year, we’re also unveiling our new Tasting Notes section: a guide to the flavours we predict are going to be big in 2026.
There’s a rotisserie renaissance happening and we’re here for it.
From fine dining at Bébé Bob and Story Cellar to foodie boozers like The Knave of Clubs and East Dulwich neighbourhood favourite, the supermarket favourite is reinvented. If Jesse Burgess says so...
Served alongside everything from caviar to piles of salted chips and assorted sauces, it’s a versatile, comforting, cost-effective classic that we see making a big splash at street food markets and events in 2026.
Wellness never tasted so good. Functional food and drink are set to be huge in 2026, with health-conscious consumers looking for indulgence that supercharges their mind and body.
In 2025, Lion’s Mane went mainstream and the launch of the M&S ‘Brain Food’ line brought once niche superfoods to the supermarket aisles. Consumers are now expecting functional ingredients to be incorporated into everything, according to Mintel.
“The wellness boom isn’t a passing trend — it’s a cultural reset.”
This is more than just juices. Depending on your event, you can incorporate a range of functional foods into your offerings. Think:
Basque and Portuguese cuisines have arrived with a bang in London.
New resto arrivals like Ibai and Alta are showcasing fresh takes on Northern Spanish and Basque cooking, while long-loved spots such as Casa do Frango and Bar Douro continue to bring vibrant Portuguese flavours to the city and new arrivals like Luso are causing a splash.
We predict the Iberian wave will hit the events industry in 2026. Expect the freshness of sun-soaked Mediterranean eating with the depth, smoke and seafood-rich identity of the Iberian coastline, all with a little Atlantic roughness.
If there’s one thing Gen Z loves, it’s fried chicken.
Delicious and affordable, chicken shops are taking over the nation’s high streets and fried chicken is always a top seller at public events. But there’s a shift in the fast-casual space, with new brands and flavours ruffling feathers.
What’s behind the evolution of fried chicken? Wider cultural influences and obsessions are influencing the pecking order. Take Korean chicken strips, which have grown 110% at Togather Live events since 2023 and outsold plain chicken strips and nuggets at many London events. This ties into a broader love of South Korean food and culture, such as K-pop, which has influenced an entire generation of Gen Z consumers, according to The Grocer.
And crunch culture is only just getting started. Spicy flavours are on top, with Nashville hot chicken also rising in popularity. The growth of country music in the UK and rising Southern influences certainly have a role to play here. We can’t wait for the foodie offerings at country music festivals, The Long Road and State Fayre in summer 2026.
Nearly 300 pubs closed across England and Wales in 2024, an equivalent of six a week.*
Could reimagining pub grub help to save some of the beloved British boozers?
Pop-ups act as low-risk ‘market tests’ for new food concepts, while helping to bring punters through the door and keep them there drinking for a few hours instead of sloping off to get food elsewhere.
“I think a rethinking of food in pubs is going to happen, and it's going to be off the back of pop-ups and chef residencies. It’s harder to find good pub food these days, as every menu tends to look the same and high-quality labour has been hard to come by.”
Gyros and souvlaki are having a moment in the UK. Greek wraps are tempting taste buds everywhere, with Greek chicken wrap sales up 104% since 2023 and ranking as the most popular dish at the majority of Togather events – even outselling classics like burgers and pizza.
79%
of consumers are expressing interest in Greek cuisine, according to a 2025 BidFood trend report, gyros and souvlaki are clear winners for your next event.
A proper Greek wrap is easy to eat in a crowd or on the move, making it a great alternative to the usual festival offering. At Hide & Greek, we make every meal in front of customers, which gives it a bit of theatre, and we keep the menu small so we can hit big numbers while keeping the quality high. I’ve always thought of street food as a Venn diagram of output and food quality, and we try to hit that sweet spot in the middle.”
Community is everything.
Bringing in independent food traders and local restaurants for live events gives guests a more authentic, meaningful experience. Fans want to support their local community, and by partnering with local traders, you make it easy for them to do so - and staying local helps meet sustainability goals by cutting supply chains and drive time.
64%
of UK adults say local eateries are critical to building a sense of community. That extends to events too, cementing your place in the local community.
Home Advantage
At Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, Togather introduced a beloved local favourite, Chows Food Trucks, as part of the new Fan Plaza. Chows have served the local community for more than 50 years at their bricks & mortar restaurant, and have been warmly received by Everton fans arriving for home matches. In fact, they’ve been the top sellers at every home game in the 2025 season.
“The electric atmosphere and excitement at each event have made it a privilege to be involved. We are truly humbled by the outstanding response to our food,”
Local Lineups
In 2025, Peckham’s GALA Festival opted to source half of its traders from the local area. This included working with Togather to activate local restaurants, such as 081 Pizzeria, to operate at a festival for the first time.
“Peckham feels like my hometown, it feels like Napoli. People get to know you, you say hello to everyone. It doesn’t feel like London, it feels like a small village.”
Forget individuals ordering lunches for one on Deliveroo.
Our corporate clients are increasingly using drop-off catering as a way to bring people together and to treat their teams within the workplace without even the need for a kitchen. It means less packaging, lower carbon emissions and reduced risk of food envy. It’s a win-win.
The trend took hold in 2025, and at Togather, we predict it’ll be even bigger in 2026. The UK Catering Services industry is expected to hit £1.5bn in 2025-26, according to IBISWorld, with London having the highest number of catering service companies and the largest opportunity.
Drop-off catering is more affordable and works better around people's work schedules for lunch – It's always family-style and big sharing platters rather than individual portions, so that it's more of an occasion and people can chat around the food and spend time together.”
Coffee is no longer just a quick caffeine fix.
It’s a moment to connect, breathe and savour. When it comes to events, particularly daytime events or camping festivals, coffee is a crucial part of the guest experience.
Truth is, we’re becoming a nation of coffee snobs, and coffee quality is both a talking point and a measuring stick for your event. The last thing you want is for people to duck out of your event to get a better coffee down the road.
Investing in coffee as an artisan product, served by baristas, is a smart move. And offering delicious drinks, especially Instagrammable ones such as Matcha, helps guests feel cared for and considered. The numbers speak for themselves.
Fastest growing coffee orders at Togather Live events:
Whether it’s nostalgia, comfort or decision fatigue, there’s a reason we come back to the classic dishes again and again.
Margherita has been the best-selling pizza flavour at Togather Live events in 2025 – again. The people want what they want.
But while classics are sought after, it’s important they’re done well. Guests won’t stand for a soggy burger in 2026. Nailing a classic comes down to quality ingredients, produce, experience and supply chains. That’s why we’re seeing specialist traders and restaurants, who deal in one dish only, really thrive.
Find out more about how Togather can bring 2026's best food to your event,
