Looking for a non-traditional fun way to feed your guests at your
event? Consider one of the most popular food trends of the year- stationed food
bars. Food bars can be a great way to feed your guests while also incorporating
some of your own unique tastes and personality. From the more common
cupcake and dessert bars to the more unusual (but just as fun), mashed potato
or popcorn bars, food bars are taking the catering world by storm. The strength
of this growing trend lies in its versatility: a food bar can be created for
virtually any theme and are ideal for cocktail hours, main courses, desserts or
late-night snacking. Additionally, they will be appreciated by kids and adults,
alike. Interestingly enough, many food bars go after "kid foods"
which also happen to be adult favorites.
This brings us to our Favorite Food Bar # 1: Gourmet Grilled Cheese Bar
I have yet to meet someone who doesn't enjoy grilled cheese. The
foundation itself nears sheer perfection with the combination of perfectly
melted ooey gooey cheese sandwiched between two slices of butter-slathered
white bread grilled to perfection. So in all of its perfect simplicity, how do
we make this classic "gourmet"? Allow guests to create a custom
version of the old favorite by choosing from a selection of artisan breads and
then adding in a few extras. Tossing in ingredients such as avocados, tomatoes, bacon, prosciutto,
grilled eggplant and caramelized onions instantly transform a simple grilled
cheese into a delicious grilled cheese panini.
Our Favorite Food Bar # 2: The Bruschetta Bar
A little less kid friendly but a crowd-pleaser none the less. A
bruschetta bar is ideal for a cocktail hour and in lieu of passed h'ordeouvres.
Offer up a spread of olive-oil drizzled toasts and an assortment of toppings to
choose from. Keep it traditional with diced tomatoes and basil or make it a bit
more modern with roasted figs and goat cheese (Recipe here) .
Favorite Food Bar # 3: Candy & Dessert Buffet Bar
Okay, admit it. You were pretty thrilled when the last
wedding you attended didn't feature a three tiered plain Jane vanilla wedding
cake wrapped in fondant as the couple's dessert of choice. Instead, they opted
for an awesome dessert bar complete with a cupcake "cake", cookies,
chocolate candies, and the most sweets you've seen since Valentine's Day in
elementary school. Candy and dessert bars are a whimsical way to serve dessert
to the guests and is often chosen by a host who's young at heart. Glass jars
are a cute and inexpensive way to serve truffles, cookies and candies on a
buffet table. The dessert bar is a nice departure from traditional wedding cake
and your guests will appreciate the change.
Favorite Food Bar #4: The Mimosa Bar
While this one isn't necessarily a "food" bar, it's
still wildly popular, perfect for early events and showers, and deserves every
right to be recognized just as much as the rest of them. The Mimosa Bar is
ideal for your bridesmaids on the morning of the wedding, bridal showers, early
receptions or post-wedding brunches. Instead of limiting your mimosa to the
very traditional champagne and orange juice, try offering a few different types
of fruit juices and a selection of fruits to garnish the cocktails such as
strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
Favorite Food Bar # 5: Summer Salad Bar
A salad bar is a refreshing change of pace from traditional food
served at weddings and events and will also please your health- conscious guests. Offer
a few varieties of lettuce, an assortment of toppings and possibly even
proteins such as chicken, steak, or shrimp that guests can add to make their
salad a bit heartier. A salad bar is perfect for those hot summer days when the
last thing anyone is thinking about is a steaming hot entree.
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