Break Tradition: Put A Personal Touch, Sense of Humor Into Your Catered Event

  In the past, catered events usually went one of two ways.

  In one, guests are seated while a cadre of servers present every course on a plate in front of each guest.

From appetizers, to salads and soups and through the entrée and dessert, guests stay seated while servers scurry about. Today's plated dinners aren't nearly as ostentatious as formal service at Downton Abbey -- but can feel as stuffy to guests more accustomed to casual dining.

  In the other scenario, guests queue up to a buffet where they either self-serve or have servers scoop dishes onto each guest’s plate.

  These were great ideas and still fill the need for many catering clients. But more and more – particularly among wedding parties – brides and grooms want guests to be active, to have fun – and perhaps even experience something about the couple’s food interests or ecological beliefs.

So what are the options?

  Options are only as limited as the imaginations of the catering client and the caterer. Let’s explore some innovative and imaginative ideas!

Get Up And Move With Action Stations

  Everyone is familiar with the old-school roast beef carving station – that’s an example of an Action Station. Let’s take the idea one step further.

  How about an action station that serves guests rough-mashed potatoes – and then guests ladle on their own choice of toppings? Everyone loves a hearty dollop of sour cream and chives on a potato – or even Cheddar cheese. But expand the toppings to include exotic cheeses, mini meatballs or shredded and tender braised pork and you’ve turned the starch course into a meal.

  In the Lowcountry of Georgia and South Carolina, the ubiquitous Shrimp and Grits dish can become an action station at which guests choose from a variety of grits (stone ground, creamy or cheese grits are ideas). Offer a variety of shrimp styles. You don’t have to go all Forrest Gump, but consider the flavor variations of allowing guests to choose between shrimp scampi, grilled shrimp or shrimp in a spicy Cajun gumbo.

  The action station concept can comprise the entire event – or constitute only a portion of service. From build-your-own salad stations through the ideas listed above to make-your-own sundae stations – action stations keep guests active, engaged and happy.

Pass the Lima Beans, Please

  Embrace the Southern tradition of family-style service. Here, each table of guests is presented with platters of the menu choices and pass between one another in a self-serve style.

  Family-style service engages guests, encourages interaction and can reduce the number of service staff required for your event.

  And, just like a plated dinner, family-style service limits the amount of food going onto guest’s plates. An empty platter can mean “all gone” versus a buffet, which encourages guests to go back for “all they can eat.”

  Family-style also allows incorporation of some plated service. You might consider a plated salad, family-style main course service and a plated dessert.

Take a Culinary Safari With Ethnic Foods

  Professional caterers usually have an international repertoire of dishes. Ethnic dishes provide guests with an opportunity to explore and provide the ingredients for an event that is sure to be filled with lots of laughter, lots of oohs and aahs and a room full of happy guests.

Smoked ostrich filet.

  Ethnic options can range from passed finger foods like min-samosas or kebabs to sushi or mini banh mi. Action stations can feature tacos – but made with exotic ingredients like ground ostrich or braised pork belly. Imagine guests having a celebration around a table of a build-your-own pasta dish. Three or four styles of pasta, a variety of sauces and a few meat and vegetable options could make this the centerpiece of your event’s food service.

  If you’re serving your wedding cake as dessert, consider a small sweet bite with coffee to signal the end of the meal. A single, luxurious French-inspired chocolate truffle can make a meal memorable – and assuage guests’ sweet tooth until cake is served.

Express Your Convictions

  If the bride and groom or party host has strong views on culinary topics like sustainability, organic or local ingredients or nutrition – you have a captive audience with whom to share your beliefs through action!

  Here, the options are only limited by the event host’s beliefs and imagination. You need to work particularly close with your caterer in order to source in-season ingredients and to stay on budget. In this era, nearly anything is available by overnight shipping – but the cost may be prohibitive and quality may suffer.

  And ecological beliefs go far beyond the food. Is your caterer using disposables that are bio-degradable, compostable or made from recycled materials? Where does left over food go? With proper planning your leftovers can provide a substantial addition to a local food homeless shelter’s daily rations.

  Come to the table with imaginations turned to “high,” and an open mind. Hosting a catered event does not mean sacrificing fun or following traditional practices. This is your special event – put your special mark on it!