catering

The Art of Portable Catering Food

Most events start out with a welcome, or cocktail reception.  Whether it be for a wedding, where guests await the bride and groom to return from their photos.  Or at a corporate event, where it’s a chance to network before being seated for dinner.  Regardless of the type of events, guests use this as a chance to greet friends and colleagues they may not have seen in a while, and/or make some new acquaintances.  All of this takes place standing, with a drink in hand, and usually surrounded by tables of beautiful food and/or servers passing hors d’oeuvres.  The trick; how to partake elegantly and juggle everything.  Drink in hand and plate in hand, makes it hard to eat and do so gracefully.  The answer is to make food bite size, portable and easy to eat!

  Below are some of Messina’s Catering and Events’ favorites to share:

Creative/Small Catering Vessels

Think about foods that you love, and talk with your caterer about how to pare down the portions and serve them in small vessels that make for easy consumption!  From shot glass shooters, to small boats, to edible cups and spoons, the options are limitless!  The best caterers will have many options along these lines to share:

  • Caesar Salad Petite Cups with Parmigiano Crisps
  • Corn Maque Choux Spoon
  • Ponchatoula Strawberry Shortcake
  • Strawberry Blueberry Shortcake Parfait
  • Tomato Salad
  • Oyster Shooters
  • Shrimp Remoulade Shooters
  • Smoked Gouda & Crab Grit Spoon
  • Gourmet Grilled Cheese Squares with Tomato Bisque Shooters
  • Crudité Shot Glasses
  • Mini Shrimp Cocktails
  • Oysters
  • Fries to Go

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Catering One Bite Wonders

The best way to make sure guests get all the flavors of a dish at the same time is to pare a dish down into bite size portions!  There is no small vessel or spoon to dispose of, only the need to lick your lips and look for more! (stylerecap)

  • BBQ Fried Oysters
  • Bruschetta of Cherry Tomato & Mini Buffalo Mozzarella/Crostini’s
  • Cherry Tomatoes Stuffed with Crab Salad
  • Mini Crawfish Pies
  • Crabmeat stuffed mushrooms
  • Mini beef wellington bites
  • Savory crabmeat cheesecake bites
  • Salmon Mousse deviled eggs
  • Meatballs
  • Charcuterie Board
  • Bacon Wrapped Scallops
  • Prosciutto Melon Bites

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Food on a Stick

Whether it’s “skewers”, or “kebabs’, foods on a stick are always favorites!  Check out our takes on these popular foods below:

  • Tomato Basil Caprese Skewers
  • Polynesian Shrimp Kebabs
  • “Tabasco” Pepper Jelly Glazed Chicken Skewers
  • Shrimp on a stick

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Conclusion

Whether a shot glass, or a stick, or even something made by mother nature, whatever vessel you choose, make sure appetizers are easy for guests to eat and maintain their “ahem” grace is a great thing to consider for any event.  Think of the last catering event you attended?  How hard was it to imbibe, eat and chat at the same time?  Keep that in mind for the next event you plan!

Messina’s Catering and Events has been working with the New Orleans community to execute creative, quality catering events for over 58 years. Take a look at our catering menu or visit our blog for more catering ideas and menu samples.

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August 27, 2024