Meetings Blog Oct 17, 2019
Can the style of your food and beverage option be adapted to fit perfectly with an event? That was the question we posed to our expert team at NH Hotel Group and the answer was a resounding ‘OF COURSE!’ With the expectations of what is laid on growing every year, one thing is to impress the attendees of your catering event with tasty nutrition; another is linking it to the theme of the day. Here are some of the ways that it can be done, which hopefully provides you with suitable inspiration to go forth and adapt…
As one of the most obviously versatile foods, it will come as no surprise that potatoes can help you out with numerous catering ideas at your event. From sautéed slices used as a base for wholesome Norwegian salmon and asparagus, to individual portions of French fries wrapped up in sheets of (potentially branded) newspaper, to the succulent baked varieties with a myriad of toppings. The opportunities are endless and each one is clearly suited to different audiences and potential themes.
Another simple but effective snack option is to provide small baskets of either chips or wedges for each attendee, and lay out a plethora of dips to cater for all tastes. Potatoes may be on the menu, but that doesn’t mean it’s predictable.
Just like with potato, bread is a staple food with as many options as there are grains. No matter what your other catering delights are, a nice selection of fresh bread types will be an appreciated accompaniment. Ensure each one is clearly labeled to differentiate the rye from the multigrain, and the boule from the ciabatta, while a rustic wooden stand adds to the appeal. An internationally inclusive cheeseboard next to it will likely not last too long as guests dig in.
Other ‘bready’ options include dainty wraps, open-faced sandwiches, topped bruschetta, and the ingenious idea of hollowed out rolls containing their very own dips and vegetables. Consider which buffet choice works best for your event, think about the presentation style that fits, and stun your guests with dough imagination.
Sweets, caramels and candy. Just the thought of that local shop you remember from your childhood brings a smile to your face. Recreate that image for an informal event with a candy buffet stall, jam-packed full of shapes and colors as attendees select a dessert from their past. Of course, just because everything on offer appears to be a treat that would make the dentist frown, healthier options – using clever cuts of fruit, for example – can remove any guilt.
Adapt the presentation of the sweets or fruits to move away from simple plates and bowls. Hang the delicious items from a tree structure so attendees can grab them individually off the string or pop a berry into an ice-cube-sized jelly mold and serve on a spoon for a fun and interactive catering event. Then comes that delectable combination of fruit with chocolate: either pre-prepared with a hard coating or left as a smooth fondue for dipping.
Whether or not the event you’re organizing is focused around a car launch or a new public transport initiative, food truck catering is a wonderfully adaptable choice. The industry has grown steadily over the years offering a variety of vehicle shapes and sizes, a huge selection of food and beverages, and fabulously creative names that will get your attendees chatting.
They provide the space with color, normally add a sense of fun, and you can pick and choose the appropriate wares to fit with the feel of you event. And long gone are the days of only simple ‘street grub’ being available as top-notch gourmet trucks have rolled in, taking into account the necessary dietary restrictions. Of course, as well as picking the complementary sustenance, the inventive names can be matched to your theme. For movies think The Grillenium Falcon or ShrimpWreck, while for music maybe Guac n Roll or Mamas and the Tapas.
On a more general note, with so much variation in local cuisine around the world, your venue’s host country could provide the F&B variable necessary to impress your guests. A directors meeting in Tokyo? It has to be sushi or sashimi. A team building session in Valencia? Serve up a selection of paella. Fashion show in Guadalajara? Dainty tacos and margaritas will do the trick. And remember that even if you’re not actually located in the region of your chosen theme, linking your menu to the nationality of the brand, owner or promotion can also tie in just as well.
Food, glorious food. It is a necessary part of every meeting and event and, done right, can turn a successful occasion into a spectacular one. Keep an eye out for the wonderful exhibits of your catering event playing a starring role on Instagram!
