The Best Catering Style For Your Event
Roaming canapés, three-course meals, gourmet grazing - which catering style suits your event?
Food is undoubtedly one of the most important elements to nail at your event. It’s what people remember, and the first thing they will gloat (or complain) about. Not only is the quality and quantity important, but also how it’s served.
Pop open your popcorn (with Malteser toppers) as we explore the most popular catering styles.
Traditional Sit-Down Meal
Are you hosting a gala dinner, fundraising ball or formal conference? Seated style catering is the way to go. Seated catering requires pre-selecting the menu, usually with a minimum of two courses. Your guests enjoy individual plated service, or shared platters served to their table. Drinks service is all part of the package.
Seated catering is recommended when guest attention is required for long periods of time, whether it’s to watch an awards ceremony, participate in an auction or view several keynote speakers.
If you’re seeking food and beverage pairings or would like to add a flourish such as the head chef explaining the dishes at the table, seated style affords guests the ultimate comfort.
Image Source: PS Smile Productions and Ultimo Catering
Buffet
Looking for variety and choice? Buffets are a self-serve style of catering, offering relaxed and casual dining for guests. And before you say “Hold up now, doesn’t a buffet equal 80s stews in a bain-marie?”, think Epicurean at Crown Towers, the epitome of buffet offerings styled with precision and sophistication.
Buffets are a superpower when you have a diverse guest list with multiple dietary requirements. You’re able to easily cater in both variety and quantity with patrons deciding what’s perfect for their palette and waistlines.
Consider buffet style for full-day conferences, workshops, seminars or any event with a laid back approach where interaction is encouraged. Events requiring guests to have a change of scenery or a wriggle around will also farewell with a buffet mealtime.
Covid concerns? The buffet can be glass protected and served to guests by waitstaff for a Covid-safe alternative.
Image Source: Ultimo Catering and Tim Meyer, Unsplash Images
Food Stations
Introducing buffet’s close cousin, Food Stations. These are individual food stops where specific dishes are served by a friendly chef, often cooked or prepped right in front of you. Think sizzling paella, fresh oyster shucking, sashimi bar, carvery and build-your-own slider stations. The enhanced experience of interacting with chefs becomes an entertaining and theatrical way of enjoying a meal.
Image Source: Pablo Escudero and The Urban List
What’s that? Are food stations and buffets the same thing? Well, like we said they’re cousins - same, same but different. Both options invite guests to leave their tables for food; however, food stations can reduce queues or congestion as they can be placed strategically around the venue. Buffets are commonly placed in one area. Food stations are also a touch fancier and unique with their human interaction elements.
Food stations love making an appearance at seated or cocktail style events as guests can take their meal and stand or sit.
Image Source: PS Smile Productions
Gourmet Grazing Tables
The best example of the old adage “You eat with your eyes”. Guests flock to grazing tables! Cured meats, cheeses, dips and spreads, crackers, dried and fresh fruit, veg and nuts, and the occasional sweet treat to top it off; what more could you want? Grazing boards always look BEAU-TI-FUL and double as a styling element for your event.
Is your event over a meal period? Add a selection of hearty canapés to prevent hangry guests. It’s best to choose canapés that can be enjoyed at room temperature such as quiches, bruschetta, tarts, puff pastries and tostadas.
Grazers are best suited for networking or cocktail events that don’t exceed four hours. Remember to be creative with your styling - whole fruits, unusual ornaments, different heights and aroma-producing offerings.
Image Source: Shot by Thom and Ultimo Catering
Roaming Canapés
Put the knife and fork away. Canapés, or what some like to call finger food, are bite-sized servings enjoyed without cutlery. Usually served on a tray and circulating the room, canapés pair well with cocktail style events. Looking for a more casual vibe? Request for the canapés to be placed on tables for guests to help themselves.
Image Source: Ultimo Catering
Usually best for two-three-hour events, canapés are also suitable for longer events by adding substantial options. This includes larger portions of canapés either enjoyed with your hands or with a fork or spoon - no cutting; think sliders or noodle bowls.
Worried you’re under catering? Combine canapés with food stations. If you want to encourage networking at a sit-down event, incorporate canapé service at the start of the event them as appetisers or entree before guests head to their seats for the remainder of the event.
Image Source: Ultimo Catering
Bento Catering
Looking for individual lunch boxes? ‘Bento,’ meaning lunch box in Japanese, are meals prepared ahead of the event and packaged in a box or tray for each individual person.
Bentos became a fast favourite during the Covid years as they can be pulled off with minimal interaction. Super for casual events or when there isn’t a large amount of service time, the food can be eaten anywhere or on the go. We love the cuteness of it all, taking us back to compartmentalised packed lunches by mum in lil’ portions.
Image Source: Dinner on the Table and The Catering Company
Speak to your caterer in more detail if you are unsure what style is best for your event. For more catering talk, listen to Season 1, Episode 2 “Food Glorious Food” on Behind the Clipboard Event Management podcast.
