While stations and hors d’oeuvre receptions are becoming increasingly popular for events, planners and clients often struggle with the thought of giving up a seated dinner. To determine which approach works best for your event, you’ll want to consider your crowd.
People who know each other well, like an office staff, will likely have the most fun with an hors d’oeuvres reception where they can mingle as they check out all the food options. Conversely, guests who don’t know each other well, such as those attending a conference, may be tired from travel and long days of meetings. They will likely appreciate the speed and efficiency of a plated meal. Additionally, if you have a conference speaker or a long program to present, a seated meal allows you to get your message out to a captive audience.
If you’ve decided on a plated meal, keep in mind that people are increasingly food savvy and will be able to tell if you’ve made an effort to serve a seasonal and unique meal, rather than a cookie-cutter menu. For hors d’oeuvre receptions, you don’t have to be overly “thematic” in presentation. In the end, guests really just want good food!
Knowing your audience also is an important factor for determining what to serve. Some groups require more traditional fare, while others are up for adventure. For example, if you are serving a formal dinner to the major donors of an art museum, a meal that is artistic, but not too avant-garde, may be well received. A group that is dining after an all-day tech conference may crave something bold and creative to stimulate their senses after sitting all day.
Comfort food and small-plate meals are both strong trends. Trying to decide which is best? Consider pairing the two so that tried and true becomes bold and new! For example, take classics and make them bite-sized -- mini chicken pot pies, mac 'n cheese on a stick, mini apple pies. Don't forget comfort foods from other cultures, such as bite-sized chicken tikka masala, mini fettuccini Alfredo, or Nordic meatball with lingonberry jam.
At D’Amico Catering we’ve also had a lot of fun pairing bite sized hors d’oeuvres with miniature drinks and then passing them together to the guests. This offers the added bonus of reducing lines at the bar.
Ultimately, whether you opt for timeless or trendy, the food should be mouthwatering and memorable.
