When planning an event, one of the most important decisions you'll make is how to cater the food. The style of catering you choose can significantly impact the atmosphere, flow, and overall experience of your event. There are often large implications on the style and size of venue you will choose based on the catering and it is important to get it right from the offset. From plated menus to street food, each catering style offers something unique. So lets learn more about the catering styles available and when best to use them:
1. Plated Menus
What It Is: A plated menu is the most traditional and formal catering style, where guests are seated and served a multi-course meal at their tables. Each course is individually plated and presented by the wait staff.
When to Use It: This style is ideal for formal events such as weddings, gala dinners, or corporate events where a more structured and elegant dining experience is desired. It allows for a controlled pacing of the meal and ensures that all guests receive the same level of service.
Advantages:
Creates a sophisticated dining experience.
Allows for more elaborate presentations and complex dishes.
Guests are served simultaneously, making it easier to coordinate speeches or entertainment.
Considerations:
Typically more expensive due to the level of service required.
Limits guest interaction during the meal.
The formality does not suit every company.
2. Bowl Food
What It Is: Bowl food consists of small, individual portions served in bowls. These dishes are usually more substantial than canapés but lighter than a full meal, making them perfect for standing events.
When to Use It: Bowl food is great for events where guests are mingling, such as cocktail receptions, product launches, corporate events, or informal weddings. It’s also a good choice for events with limited seating, as guests can easily eat while standing.
Advantages:
Encourages social interaction as guests can move around while eating.
Offers a variety of flavours and dishes, catering to different tastes.
Easier to manage dietary requirements with varied options.
Considerations:
Portions are smaller, so you’ll need to serve multiple bowls to satisfy hunger.
Requires more logistics in terms of serving.
Dietary requirements may not be served at the same time as other guests.
3. Canapés and Manapés
What It Is: Canapés are bite-sized hors d'oeuvres served on trays and passed around by wait staff. Manapés are a more substantial, often heartier version, designed with more robust flavours and larger bites.
When to Use It: These are perfect for events where you want to supply food but not a full meal, they also serve as late night grazing. They are also great for networking events where guests are more focused on conversation than eating.
Advantages:
Allows guests to sample a wide variety of flavours.
Easy to serve and eat while standing.
Encourages mingling and interaction.
Considerations:
Not suitable in lower quantities.
Requires careful planning to ensure continuous service so guests don’t go hungry.
Manapes are more substantial but less delicate than Canapes.
4. Food Stations
What It Is: Food stations are set up in different areas of the event space, each offering a different type of cuisine or dish. Guests can visit each station and serve themselves or be served by a chef.
When to Use It: This style works well for larger events like corporate parties, weddings, or festivals where variety and interaction are key. It’s also ideal for themed events, where each station can represent a different cuisine or concept.
Advantages:
Offers a wide variety of food, catering to different tastes and dietary needs.
Adds an interactive element as guests can watch chefs prepare their food.
Creates a dynamic, energetic atmosphere.
Considerations:
Requires more space and setup than traditional catering styles.
Can lead to queues or congestion if not managed well.
It's not ideal as the sole catering option for larger events and works best when complemented with Manapés or Bowl food.
5. BBQs
What It Is: BBQ catering involves grilling meats, vegetables, and other items on-site, often in a casual, outdoor setting.
When to Use It: BBQs are perfect for informal, outdoor events like summer weddings, garden parties, or corporate picnics. They offer a relaxed, communal dining experience that’s hard to beat on a sunny day.
Advantages:
Creates a laid-back, social atmosphere.
Guests enjoy freshly grilled food with a variety of accompaniments.
Often more cost-effective than formal catering options.
Considerations:
Weather-dependent, though marquees or tents can help.
Limited to the types of food that can be grilled or prepared outdoors.
Large queues can form before catering service commences.
6. Street Food
What It Is: Street food catering involves serving popular, often internationally-inspired dishes from food trucks or stalls. This could include anything from tacos and burgers to sushi and falafel.
When to Use It: Street food is ideal for casual, trendy events like festivals, corporate events, or informal weddings. It adds a fun, vibrant element to the event and is often a hit with younger crowds.
Advantages:
Provides a unique, memorable dining experience.
Offers a wide variety of cuisines and flavours.
Encourages interaction and exploration as guests move between stalls.
Considerations:
Requires outdoor space or a large indoor venue.
May need more coordination to ensure all guests are served efficiently.
Guests will consume greater quantities as they wish to taste all stalls available.
Catering Styles
Choosing the right catering style for your event depends on the type of experience you want to create. Whether it’s the formal elegance of a plated menu, the casual fun of street food, or the interactive excitement of food stations, each style has its own unique benefits. At The London Kitchen, we’re here to help you navigate these options and design a catering experience that perfectly suits your event’s needs and your guests' expectations.
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