Menu development for meetings and events: an opportunity for conveying cultural diversity and inclusion initiatives

Abstract Meetings and events present opportunities to bring together diverse groups of people. Reflective of the greater diversity and inclusion movements in the country, event planners are tasked with creating agendas that support these initiatives. Creating these agendas often involves menu planning and development for meals and snacks served during the event. Culture is a social construct that can be described as the behaviors, values and beliefs that a group of people shares. Race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, and geographical location all contribute to culture and cultural diversity. Conversely, a lack of culturally appropriate options for attendees, including food options, may lead to feelings of unwelcomeness or outright exclusion. This paper discusses food as a reflection of culture and therefore, a mechanism for conveying an agenda supporting diversity and inclusivity. A review of literature was conducted to determine strategies for constructing menus and food schedules that support this agenda and presents an opportunity for cultural exchange in which food experiences, traditions, and knowledge are shared among attendees with various backgrounds. Leveraging this opportunity for cultural exchange using food as the vehicle requires knowledge of the expected demographics of attendees, culturally competent foodservice professionals, and purposeful integration of food into event programming.