In the midst of planning an event, you’re likely concerned about making a lasting impression on your guests. Throwing an event that is both fun and memorable can feel like an overwhelming task, but there are actually some relatively simple ways to go about it. People always look forward to the food at an event, so this is an area where you can really make a statement. When looking into different catering ideas, here are five unique things we recommend you try in order to wow your guests.
1. Live Chef Stations
One of the great benefits of having a live chef station at your next event is that it provides its own form of entertainment for your guests. Guests can also see what is going into their food and can alter a dish slightly to accommodate allergies or preferences. The meal portion of an event also tends to be the least eventful period, but live chef stations allow your guests to have a more interactive experience with their food. For this reason, having a chef make food atyour wedding remains one of our favorite catering ideas. Some ideas for chef stations include a grilling station or a sushi rolling station.
2. Comfort Foods
In terms of creative catering ideas, this is one we’ve been seeing sprout up more and more. Comfort food is making a comeback in a bigway, with dishes such as grilled cheese sandwiches and soft pretzels becoming increasingly regular features at weddings. It’s a great idea! It gives the hosts a chance to showcase some of their favorite food from home. While we traditionally think of wedding food as being of the more conventional and expected variety, people love seeing the foods they actually love eating on offer. Mashed potato bars and mac and cheese bars, tacos, and pizza are all great ways to inject some fun and creativity into your big day.
3. Quirky Food Stations
While you want to offer something for everyone, offering some unexpected and quirky choices to your guests can be another great way of wowing them and making the event unforgettable. It can be a great way to add some of your own personality into the event, or to represent your culture and background alongside the other more conventional banquet hall meals. You can get as creative as you like with this. We’ve seen events that have offered a carnival food station, complete with cotton candy and soft pretzels, to add a unique flavour to the event, but the possibilities are really endless. Don’t forget to serve the food creatively. For example, use small take-out containers for noodles or fry cartons for poutine.
4. Different Dessert Options
Cake has become the go-to dessert for most catered events, and yet recent trends in catering desserts are starting to buck that trend and move towards something less conventional. Guests love a wide variety of dessert options, including desserts that offer a break from the more expected fare. Some popular choices include cupcakes, macaroons, pie, donuts, and cookies and milk.
Another popular option is having a chocolate or candy bar, where guests can go to satisfy their sweet tooth during the event. Use personalized containers with your initials or logos for the guests to take treats home in. The best option is to go for variety—offering a little something for everyone. Don’t feel restricted to one of kind of dessert—there are numerous different options you can offer.
5. Mini Everything
This is one of our favourite trending catering ideas—mini food and drinks! Besides being fun, offering mini food is also very practical. When trying to feed large groups of people, miniature options can cater to a whole range of tastes, keeping people satisfied without wasting large amounts of food. It’s also a memorable experience for your guests, who get to indulge in mini tacos or mini donuts—something unexpected that diverts from their expectations. Mini drinks are popular too, with mini beers and mini cocktails becoming a popular fixture at events.
