FOOD FOR FÊTES
Snack it up The focus of a cocktail reception may be the beverages, but there absolutely must be food, both for the guests’ enjoyment and to help control alcohol consumption effects. “I’d recommend six to eight hors d’oeuvres per guest for a two-hour event, with a mix of passed items and food stations,” says Sanchez. “But let’s be clear: food stations are where the magic happens. Get creative—think themed stations that encourage guests to explore and mingle. If you’re going all out for a longer event, make sure guests don’t go hungry. Offer more substantial options. The trick is to make food part of the experience, not just a necessity.” Pifferrer echoes this thinking. “We always suggest between eight to 10 passed bites for a cocktail party and plan for two of these each per person. This assumes that stationary offerings like cheese, fruit, and crudites will also be available.” Work with your caterer to offer a variety of food heaviness options, from lighter hors d’ouevres to heavier snacks. Event planner Penny Haas (Penny Haas, LLC) says that food stations can improve guest engagement if done creatively. “Action stations and displays are great for cocktail hour receptions. Create fun arrangements, small plates, and setups. Incorporate a chef experience to add some conversations and flair to the food. Action stations can also help you use different areas of the room and break up any buffet lines.” Another exciting idea? Try using a grazing table to centralize food in a photo-worthy, art installation way! One thing to keep in mind: “Too many passed options are only sometimes a good thing!” says Pifferrer. “We have found that eight to 10 is the magic number for passed bites. More than that can easily overwhelm the guests and unnecessarily complicate the process in the kitchen.” A toast to success Clearly, the beverages are the main focus of a cocktail reception. There are several ways to approach this portion of the event. Jim & Tonic suggests having multiple bar stations. “It will ensure that everyone has a place to get their drink and help avoid any bottlenecks at the bar.” Sanchez agrees. “I love incorporating multiple bar locations to keep guests moving and [also] adding roaming bar carts or tray-passed drinks to cut down on lines. A great bar experience is all about flow and making sure no one has to wait too long for a perfectly crafted drink.” “I always recommend at least two bars for every 100 guests,” says Pifferrer. Pour Bar Services encourages adding to the guest experience by offering a welcome beverage. “Why not set out a welcome glass of ... champagne or fruity cocktail for a warm
day or hot cocoa or coffee for your winter [events]? It's a personalized touch that sets you apart and gets your event off to the perfect start.” It’s also important to provide options for those who don’t consume alcohol. A Catersource article published earlier this year highlighted the importance of offering non-alcoholic cocktails: “Inclusion is another major consideration that significantly intersects with the alcohol-free movement. Simply put, you should make sure that every attendee feels welcome at your events.” You can also make things fun by offering a signature cocktail. “Using seasonal ingredients or even incorporating local flavors is a great way to add a twist as well. Displaying the drink in a fun way, such as custom signage or a unique serving station, adds a memorable touch for guests,” says Craig Peterman (Craig Peterman Photography). Another idea: make a splash using branded ice that features your client’s logo. In fact, the brand can be infused into every aspect of the event, not just the beverages. “It’s all in the details. Branded napkins, glassware, or even lighting projections make the brand pop without feeling overdone,” says Sanchez. “But let’s go deeper—pull in elements of the client’s history or culture or create custom maps guiding guests to different activations. It’s these thoughtful touches that take an event from good to unforgettable. Trust me, people will remember that custom stir stick or the signature
cocktail named after the brand’s origin story.” To sit or not to sit?
While most guests will probably stand, you’ll want to provide seating options, both to offer a respite to guests and to ensure accessibility. “Limited seating is best—lounge-style for about 10–15% of guests. I love creating intimate seating clusters
Opposite page, top row from left: Stilt-walking dragons are great entertainment to spice up an event! Event by LUX Catering & Events. Photo courtesy Aerie Photography; Variety of food options is a must. Event by Penny Haas. Photo courtesy Ivory Door Studio; Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall drinking from a custom branded "SLC" straw while hosting Sundance Insitute in her backyard. Event by LUX Catering & Events. Photo courtesy Billow & Mull Middle row: Roasted beetroot and pickled melon salad; Pomegranate spritzer with lime and pomegranate garnish, which guests topped with sparkling water; Compressed watermelon, alpine strawberries, golden raspberries, white wine crema. All photos: Events by LUX Catering & Events. Photos courtesy Billow & Mull Bottom row: Mango Sprtizer with lime, mint, and sparkling water by LUX Catering & Events. Photo courtesy Dee and Cory Productions; Bite-sized snacks are a good way to ensure guests keep eating while they imbibe! Event by Penny Haas. Photo courtesy Feiten Photography; Coconut Mojito presented with a smoke gun in ice glass (both delicious and entertaining!) by LUX Catering & Events. Photo courtesy Billow & Mull
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SPECIAL EVENTS
WINTER 2024
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