The “jams and jellies” aisle in your local market probably has a lot of products on the shelves with nostalgic-looking labels, French-esque names, red and white check lids and titles that include “farm” or “Mrs.”

Fruit spreads have a nostalgia and feeling of Americana that takes one back to the fifties. However, a new generation of extremely cool chefs is helping them rebrand. Likewise, with wedding and event catering.

Gone are the days when these sweet preserves were seen as old-fashioned pantry staples. Today’s culinary innovators are experimenting with bold flavor combinations and fresh ingredients to reinvent classic recipes. This shift has helped elevate these treats from humble condiments to gourmet ingredients worthy of center stage at catered events.

Dry-looking puff pastry wrapped around a shriveled chunk of fruit? Not anymore! Let’s look at how catering companies are crafting trendy and trending new recipes from age-old but still delicious fruit spread treats.

Creative chefs are pairing these sweet flavors with unexpected savory elements to surprise and delight guests. From elegant canapé toppings to beautifully plated desserts, the possibilities are endless. This culinary revival is making classic flavors fresh, exciting, and perfect for today’s stylish events.

Why Fruit Spreads?

Jams, jellies, and preserves have been used in both home cooking and catering in some way for around 4000 years now.

Ancient Mesopotamians used honey or sugar to preserve fruits to last through the seasons, and later, in ancient Rome, preserves were a luxury only the upper classes could access.

In 2025, fruit spreads are available to everyone from the fledgling home cook to the highest level of professional chef or caterer, and they’re a source of taste, texture, and sweetness that is incredibly versatile to work with.

What Is Catering Like in 2025?

Catering, especially at corporate events and weddings, has been mythologised in popular culture, mainly in a bad way. Stinky dragon tartare in Harry Potter and “dead fingers” in Love Actually don’t paint a very favourable picture of the catering industry, but thankfully, that’s all in the past. Catering in 2025 is leaning into three trends: sustainability, a personalised menu, and experiential dining.

Personalization and customization

The best caterers can provide their clientele with what they want: allergy and dietary restriction-conscious options. These pairings add value and a unique aspect to the experience.

Experiential dining

Just plating up a nice meal is very 2024. Diners at catered events expect more, and innovative professionals understand that. Interactive food stations are being crafted, live cooking demos are taking place, and immersive, thematic setups stand out.

Sustainability

Cooking with local, seasonal ingredients is the new bar. Hitting that is essential, and then ensuring that there’s minimal food waste and minimal packaging is one way for a company to make itself a mainstay in the industry.

Other trends contributing to the shape of the industry include:

Elevated comfort food

Dishes like macaroni and cheese, scones and jam, pie, short ribs, and mash are all back on the menu, but we’re not talking about a board full of stodgy boarding school slop here.

We’re talking about elevated dishes that still bring the same level of comfort but a far higher aesthetic appeal, better sourced ingredients, and an improved taste experience.

Health and nutrition-focused dishes

On the other end of the scale, this trend focuses primarily on nourishment and includes a wealth of nutrient-dense ingredients and components that provide a balanced, superfood-rich, immune-boosting meal.

How Are Fruit Spreads Making A Splash?

Not all sweet spreads are created equal, and understanding their differences can elevate your cooking and baking. Each type brings a unique texture and flavor profile to your dishes. Whether you’re spreading on toast or adding to a recipe, knowing how to use them can make all the difference.

These are not your grandma’s preserves! Fruit spreads, jams, jellies, and preserves may come in slightly different consistencies with different concentrations of fruit and sugar (sometimes no sugar at all). Still, for the most part, you can incorporate them into recipes in similar ways.

Glazes, Marinades, and Dressings

A touch of sweetness combined with a delicate tang can distinguish between a tasty meal and one elevated to delicious. Strawberry fruit spread added to vinaigrette and an arugula salad brings it to the next level.

These subtle layers of flavor awaken the palate and create a memorable dining experience. Using sweet and tangy elements thoughtfully can transform everyday dishes into something special. It’s all about balancing brightness with richness to keep each bite interesting and fresh.

Apricot fruit spread added to a sweet and sour marinade gives the dish dimension, or orange marmalade folded into a chicken glaze to provide a citrusy edge.

Sweet Baked Goods

The applications here are almost endless and have been a mainstay at weddings and events. In 2025, the recipes and processes are more refined, giving the final results a new level of excellence and creativity.

Think wedding cakes crafted from the finest flour and butter with swirls of strawberry preserve cutting through the tartness of a lemon base, tangy cheesecakes shot through with mouthfuls of gooey, blueberry jam or buttery, crumbly crostata moistened with a range of fruits and dripping in honey and crushed nuts.

Standalone

There are the comfort food classics like scones with jam and tea that will have a place in many events for the indefinite future.

If your event is a morning or afternoon one, teatime isn’t complete without a warm scone with melting butter and a selection of fruit spreads: it’s a classic menu item for a reason.

Savoury jams made with fruits like tomatoes (yes, tomato is a fruit) add a new element to even the simplest of dishes. Include ingredients like bacon and chili, and guests will experience a new taste sensation at an intensity suited to them, since they can add in as much of the spreads as they’d like.

Catered to Perfection

Catering in 2025 is a new game with fresh ideas and a drive to improve. Diverse ingredients, including fruit spreads, are a large part of that. The catering industry is outdoing itself, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.

Guests are seeking immersive, memorable experiences that go beyond the plate. Every detail, from presentation to personalization, plays a role in crafting the perfect event. With creativity and innovation at the forefront, catering continues to evolve into something truly extraordinary.

Fruit Spread Is Shaping Modern Catering

Catering in 2025 is a celebration of creativity, quality, and bold flavor combinations. Chefs are pushing boundaries, blending comfort with elegance, and crafting experiences that are as memorable as they are delicious.

From interactive stations to sustainable sourcing, the modern catering scene is anything but ordinary. Among the standout ingredients redefining menus is fruit spread—a versatile, flavorful addition that’s adding new depth to both sweet and savory dishes.

It’s clear that what was once seen as a humble pantry staple is now a gourmet essential.