Catered by Design has been bringing Chicago wedding, event, and corporate catering to life for over 20 years, and 2026 is already off to a great start. It’s time to mark your calendars for some upcoming foodie experiences!
We will be showcasing our love for all things cuisine at these wonderful upcoming events in the Chicagoland area. These events are a great way to find your dream Chicago wedding caterer or experience some exciting events – like auto shows for charity – with delicious food.
Some highlights include the West Loop Wedding Walk and Sustainable Event Collective’s annual wedding shows. These events connect you with event professionals of all disciplines, while the Chicago Auto Show’s annual First Look for Charity Gala aims to give back to multiple charities while providing a night of unforgettable auto and culinary experiences.
Catered by Design is elated to once again be participating in all three of these events in 2026. Here’s everything you need to know about them.
Upcoming 2026 Featured Events
West Loop Wedding Walk — February 1st
IMAGE CREDIT: ADAM NOVAK
WHEN: Sunday, February 1st, 2026 from 12pm-5pm
WHERE: West Loop, Chicago, IL ~ You can find the Catered by Design team at Wildman BT (3020 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL), the first stop along the WLWW route with plenty of incredible venues to follow throughout the day!
WHAT: Join us for the 7th annual West Loop Wedding Walk right at the beginning of February. WLWW is an expansive wedding show that takes place across multiple venues in the West Loop of Chicago. Along the route, you will get to meet vendors from all disciplines, such as catering, florists, even live painters, to find the right professionals for your big day.
With shuttles taking you to and from each location, you’re able to engage with a ton of vendors all in one day. This year, we will be located at Wildman BT, the first venue on the route for the second best day ever with a French-inspired wedding catering menu that we can’t wait for you to sample!
MENU: Get ready for a culinary trip to France with the catering experience we have prepared for you! We don’t want to give everything away, but think Crêpes, French 75s, and flavorful French hors d’oeuvres. Our menu won’t be a secret for long – come try it out on February first!
Chicago Auto Show’s First Look for Charity — February 6th
![Multiple guests gather at Catered by Design’s upscale booth at the Chicago Auto Show’s First Look for Charity gala to sample their gourmet bites.]](https://cateredbydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/020725_CASFLFC_Promo_McCormickPlace_CoreyHenry_049-1024x683.jpg "Catered by Design’s 2026 Calendar of Upcoming Chicago Events 4")
WHEN: Friday, February 6th, 2026 from 7pm-11pm
WHERE: McCormick Place – 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL
WHAT: The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America, bringing in huge crowds over the span of 10 days for guests to get a look at the newest cars from top retailers. Every year, the day before the regular show opens, the auto show is preceded by their annual First Look for Charity gala, where guests’ admission fares become donations for 18 Chicagoland charities.
As a Chicago event caterer, we are proud to be one of the Chicago Auto Show’s longest-running partners, this year marking our 16th year as a culinary sponsor. At the larger-than-life gala, guests are invited to try out gourmet bites, get a look at the top new cars, and, most importantly, give back to the local community.
MENU: Our event catering menu for the First Look for Charity highlights and celebrates global flavors. For our savory offerings, we have three unique Empanadas inspired by different Latin American regions, including Mexican Vegan Black Bean & Sweet Potato, Peruvian Chicken, and Spanish Chorizo & Butternut Squash. For dessert, we have Cuban Pastelillos filled with guava and cream cheese, as well as Black Currant Cheesecake Lollipops. These dishes represent the deep and rich cultures that inspire the culinary world, and we can’t wait for you to get a taste!
Sustainable Events Collective: Committed Wedding Show — February 15th
WHEN: Sunday, February 15th, 2026 from 12pm-3pm
WHERE: Fairlie – 339 N Bell, Chicago, IL
WHAT: The Sustainable Events Collective (previously known as Green Wedding Alliance) is back again with their annual Committed Wedding Show. SEC as a collective promotes education and engagement regarding sustainability in the events industry. We have been a proud member of SEC since 2022 in addition to being named a 3-star Green Caterer as certified by the Green Restaurant Association.
Sustainability doesn’t need to be complicated, nor should it be overshadowed. Committed gathers members of the SEC to help you find all your dream sustainable vendors in one place. Enjoy chatting with Chicago’s experienced eco-friendly event professionals, where there’s no need to sacrifice the quality of your vision while planning sustainably. Let these seasoned vendors show you how to sustain the vibe and the planet.
MENU: Knowing that spring and summer are prime for weddings, we wanted to highlight one of our Grazing and Action stations that we will be able to locally and sustainably source during the busy months. Chicago wedding catering with local ingredients is a culinary delight you can’t miss out on. Our Caprese Station is one of our newer action stations where our chefs assemble a tasty Caprese creation just for you. With choices of fresh vegetables, greens, cheeses, and dressings, there’s so much to love in each bite, knowing that you’re also doing right by the planet.
Contact Us for More Information
As a Chicago wedding caterer and premium corporate catering service, Catered by Design is honored to be a part of the community with these events. We are beyond excited for the upcoming 2026 events and hope to see you at one, if not all, of them if you are able! Each event offers a unique and tasty experience, and we can’t wait to serve. If you have a catered event on the horizon, such as a gala or wedding experience, feel free to send us an email at sales@cateredbydesign or fill out our contact form.
We look forward to providing unforgettable culinary experiences and bringing your events to life this year.
