20 Fun, Fresh Food Ideas for Catering your Next Event

When it comes to figuring out what food to serve at events, it can be hard to come up with original ideas that are also on-trend. But catering can also be an opportunity to show off your inner culinary creativity. Whether you are planning a conference, gala or festival, catering is the key to making it next level. Read on for 20 ideas sure to spark some inspiration.

A cheese platter (but make it extra!)

The humble cheese platter is a staple of any event. It looks great, can hold a bunch of different options and, most importantly, it’s delicious. But if you’re bored of the same old brie and breadsticks, never fear. There is a new age dawning in the world of charcuterie boards, and they are a little bit … extra. What do we mean by that?

Well, you could try adding some of the following things to your next board:

• Blueberries, raspberries and blackberries
• Vegetables - snap peas, radishes, pickled chillis and tomatoes
• Buffalo cauliflower wings and hot sauce
• Edible florals - Pansies, Tea Roses, Rosemary

Whatever your heart desires!

For some great cheese platter inspo, check out @ThatCheesePlate or @yourplattermatters on Instagram!

Food trucks

Food trucks are a great way to offer a few different cuisines at the same event. Maybe you can have a taco truck, a pie truck and a waffle truck? Let guests decide which they would like to eat -- or maybe they’ll go for all the options!

Retro-inspired desserts

It is no secret that retro desserts have been making a comeback lately. Take the 150-year-old bombe alaska which recently popped up on a few Sydney menus. Perhaps The Great British Bake Off is to blame for this renaissance, but in any case, why not add a fun twist to your next event? Whether you opt for a bombe Alaska, finger buns or a layered jelly trifle.

Bite-size is better

If your next event involves a lot of standing and chatting, it’s probably a good idea to keep food bite-size. But that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. You could try:

• Arancini balls
• Meatballs (and ‘fake’ meatballs for vegetarians)
• Dahi Puri (chickpea-and-potato-filled chaat)
• Baked cookie dough balls
• Mediterranean rice balls

The list can really go on. If you can dream it, you can (probably) serve it as a bite-size ball.

Tacos and margaritas - but make them mini!

Not only are tiny tacos tasty, but they’re also very cute. Why not pair them with mini margaritas in small glasses. That way, guests can have 12 drinks and still be awake bright and early for work the next day.

Go plant-based

It’s becoming more and more popular to go meat-free in Australia. And with a wealth of alternative meat options now easily available, it’s never been easier to cater a plant-based event. You can go ham on fake meats (pun intended), or opt for dishes that are normally plant-based. Think chickpea curries and serving platters of hummus and veggies.

Cronuts (and other fun doughnuts)

There seems to be a bit of a doughnut craze at the moment. Maybe you will opt for a delicious croissant crossed with a doughnut (popularly known as the humble cronut). Or else you can try a matcha-flavoured doughnut, a sweet-glaze or one sprinkled in M&Ms and other treats. There’s no doubt they’ll be eaten pretty fast.

Table-to-farm dining

Offer guests a unique experience by hosting an event somewhere that food is produced - and have them cater the event! This can include distilleries and actual farms, where you can see exactly where your dinner came from. There are a number of companies in Australia that offer these experiences.

Life-of-the-party layer cake

This is a showstopper cake that is colourful, multi-layer and has a surprise filling!

Table of nachos

This was one of the biggest food crazes on Tik Tok last year. But what exactly is a nachos table? Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like, see this awesome trend on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/nachotable?referer_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2F&referer_video_id=6871825200665709829&refer=embed]

You cover a table in tin foil, layout your chips and toppings and voila. A Nachos Table!

Colour co-ordinate!

For a big corporate event, why not make your food match your branding colours? This is a fun way to grab attention and keep your logo (or at least its colours) in the minds of your guests long after the event.

Celebrity chef

With the new season of Masterchef hitting Australian airwaves, it’s a great time to look into a celebrity chef (maybe even from seasons past). Having someone there to serve guests is great for a smaller event and gives it a touch of class.

Coffee tasting

Everyone knows about wine tastings, but have you ever been to a coffee tasting? Just like grapes, different coffee beans have distinct flavour profiles influenced by where they are grown and how the coffee cherries are processed. This means you can host a coffee tasting with bans from around the world. Just get in touch with a local certified Speciality Coffee shop and see if they offer cuppings. This is also an inclusive kind of tasting for those guests who don’t drink alcohol!

Skewers

A tried and tested classic, you can put anything on a skewer! Why not try some exciting new combinations and wow guests.

Unicorn Foods

From the Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino (layers of pink and blue whipped coffee) to “Mermaid toast” this is a food trend that looks pretty and is Instagram-ready. Whether you opt for colourful lattes or rainbow bagels, this is sure to be a fun food experience for your guests.

Bento Boxes

The best thing about Bento Boxes is their versatility. Traditionally a way of eating a conveniently packed lunch in Japan, you can fill it with whatever you want! A typical box might have a rice compartment, sashimi and pickled veggies.

Smoothie bar

Set up a smoothie bar and let guests pick their favourite flavour combos! Banana, blueberry and chocolate are classics but you can also opt for a rainbow smoothie, a vegan option or serving them in a bowl.

DIY toasties

Set up a mini toastie station for a comforting treat that is easily customisable. You can provide a range of fillings like different cheese, spreads, charcuterie and pickles.

Banh Mi

These delicious sandwiches originated in Vietnam, influenced by the French colonialist culture there. But now these treats -- which use baguettes with a range of fillings -- are popular and a great thing to serve at a conference. Goodbye, boring cheese sandwiches!

Food photography

If you want something a little more out there, why not set up a food photography station - just like there are photo booths in the corner. If everyone is going to be Instagramming their food anyway, why not have a professional-looking set-up? There can even be a few props and extras to help make food pop for the camera. Just make sure they tag you!

So there you have it - 20 ideas to use when catering your next event.

Ready to cook up a storm? Before you do, let's sell some tickets!

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