So.. the first thing that is most commonly heard lately is I want an elegant, stylish dinner menu for 300 guests under 10k!! Although its almost impossible to guarantee you can certainly work your way around it!
One of the things to think about is going green. You can be so creative and unique by going green. Disposables are a great option and I am not just referring to foam plates and cups. There are trendy disposables which are biodegradable and can be found at Sweet Flavor. Looking online is a great option and sometimes more economical however, always consult with your caterer prior to purchasing in order to make sure it goes well with your selected menus.
Another up and coming trend is to have a chef bar*. This simply means you come up to a bar (that has 4 or 5 attending chefs) and order your small plate from a list of menu options. It's almost like ordering a la carte! This is a wonderful option for a rehearsal dinner or casual reception. Your guest will get a kick out of watching their meal being prepared before their own eyes!
*Note: if this serving style is an option for your event, please make sure you have enough bars around for all the guests to enjoy their meal in a timely manner. I would really be annoyed if I had to wait 30 minutes in line for a small plate that only takes 30 seconds to devour!!
Another idea to having attended chef bars is to create a unique theme with it! For example, if you travel around the world and wish to incorporate your destinations into your event you may want to label your event Stops around the world. This would mean having 3 or 4 stations with different traditional plates from each country. Another label can be Continents. Having meals from each continent (think about the adventure and time you would be putting into creating this event! How fun, exciting and memorable this will be for yours guests!!)
Sushi Bars - I have to admit I love sushi and get excited whenever a client decides to include this in their menu, however, it can be a bit overrated. Sushi bars have been a hit for a while in the event scene but as a guest it can get pretty annoying having to wait for the chef to make the rolls, cut the rolls and adorn the rolls! A clever alternative to having a live sushi bar is to having small plates with assorted sushi rolls and perhaps even some nigiri preset for the guests to pick up, eat and place down.
One of my favorite details to include at my events is a "to go" container. This can be anything from mini donuts, churros (a Hispanic tradition often accompanied by hot chocolate) to your favorite cookies, even an extra piece of cake. If you welcome your guests with a drink, why not send them off with a treat? Besides, they can always use it to soothe their stomach after having that last drink.
My final thought for this post is to try and put more emphasis on your venue and or caterer to support your local grower. Many times the condiments and vegetables they use to prepare the meal you are serving can be purchased locally. This in turn, may eliminate unnecessary shipping costs and any fees incurred at customs. You may come across some caterers that stern in their ways and may not be willing to alter their recipes this way but at least its worth giving it a try!
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