The Psychology of Taste: Why Event Food Needs to Do More Than Just Taste Good

When it comes to event catering, flavour is only one part of the story — and arguably, it’s not even the most important part. While a perfectly cooked dish can impress, a truly memorable dining experience activates more than just the palate. It engages sight, smell, sound, even memory and emotion. That’s where the psychology of taste comes in — and why, at The London Kitchen, we don’t just serve food. We create experiences.

More Than Flavour: The Multi-Sensory Meal

Research has shown that up to 80% of what we perceive as "taste" is actually smell. Colour, texture, and temperature also play significant roles in shaping our sensory expectations. If a dish looks bland, we assume it is. If it’s presented in a vibrant, artful way, our brain primes us for something more exciting — before we’ve even picked up a fork.

That’s why visual presentation is never an afterthought for us. From the colour contrast of a micro herb garnish to the gleam of a perfectly torched meringue, every detail matters. It’s also why we think carefully about pace and atmosphere — slow-roasted meats served too quickly, or delicate dishes served in a chaotic space, simply won’t land the way they should.

The Role of Memory and Emotion

Taste is also deeply emotional. One bite of something familiar can transport you — to childhood, to a celebration, to a place you thought you’d forgotten. Food has the power to ground guests in the moment, and at the same time, take them somewhere entirely new.

For corporate clients, that might mean creating a moment of warmth and nostalgia in an otherwise formal setting — think bite-sized cottage pie canapés or a reimagined take on sticky toffee pudding. For private events, it might mean tapping into the host’s story, heritage, or personal tastes and building a menu around it. We don’t just ask what you want to eat — we ask what you want people to feel.

Debate: Is Style Ever Put Before Substance?

There’s an ongoing tension in the catering world: how much of the focus should be on the visual and theatrical elements, and how much on the food itself?

Some critics argue that modern catering leans too far into Instagrammable plates, where substance is lost beneath edible flowers and micro-trends. And they have a point. We’ve all seen menus that feel designed for social media, not for satisfaction.

But at The London Kitchen, we believe the two can — and should — work hand in hand. A beautiful dish isn’t a gimmick when it’s grounded in thoughtful flavour, impeccable sourcing, and precise technique. If anything, the visuals enhance the experience, anchoring the memory even further.

Designing the Full Experience

Great event catering isn’t just about cooking — it’s about storytelling, setting, and sensation. When you treat food as part of the emotional architecture of an event, it becomes more than nourishment. It becomes the moment people remember.

And if that means engineering the perfect spoonful that looks, smells, and feels like celebration? We’re ready to serve it.