When it comes to planning a big event, nothing quite makes a statement like the food! From company conferences to weddings, they all can benefit from a memorable menu. But how can you ensure your catering stands out at your next celebration? The answer is simple: with an interactive menu! This article will cover what interactive food menus are, what to keep in mind when catering them, and how they elevate any party.
What is an Interactive Menu?
Interactive menus are a non-traditional catering method that allows your guests to personalize their meals. They involve setting up food stations around the venue, with each station featuring a different main course option that guests can serve themselves. This provides a variety of dishes to choose from, guaranteeing everyone finds flavors to love.
But the customization doesn’t end there! Each station comes with fixings and toppings that guests can pick as they please. No two meals will be exactly the same! It’s up to the individual to tailor dishes to their palate.
Interactive Food Menu Considerations
Interactive food stations are an excellent way to bring energy and movement to your venue space and to provide a unique dining experience. Because they are a less conventional way of displaying and serving food, there are some special considerations you’ll need to keep in mind.
Venue Space
With buffets and plated meals, all food is located in one area; in the case of the former, dishes are set up in a linear arrangement, and in the latter, plates are brought out directly to guests’ dining tables. This is one of the most significant ways that stations differ: they are set up throughout the venue space, so guests are meant to travel between them in order to sample all the food. This is an excellent way of adding movement to a venue.
However, it does mean that you will need to plan ahead and ensure there is adequate space for all of your stations. Those hosting small get-togethers may find it challenging to cater food stations because there simply isn’t enough space to comfortably accommodate guests and the serving areas.
Theming Your Stations
One of the big draws of stations is that they can be themed around your event! For example, if you’re having a New Orleans-style wedding, you can consider setting up a creole rice bar or grits bar for a grand helping of Southern charm.
If you have a theme in mind for your wedding, coordinate with your caterers and decor vendors to see how they can collaborate to achieve your artistic vision! You’ll be certain to create food displays that are just as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Why to Cater Interactive Menus for Lunch and Dinner
Do you still need convincing about why you should choose food stations for your next event? Here are some more reasons to love them!
Appeal to Different Dietary Needs
There’s nothing worse than going to an event and being unable to eat any of the food because of a dietary restriction or allergy. With food stations, that’s a concern of the past! Stations provide a bountiful variety of dishes, ensuring none of your guests are left out of the feasting fun. In order to provide extra safety to guests with an allergy, consider implementing ingredient cards at each station, outlining which ingredients make up each dish.
Foster Connection and Networking
Since stations are set up all around your venue, they naturally encourage moving around the space and gathering with different groups of people. This is great for weddings and corporate events alike! At big weddings, it’s likely that not every guest will know each other. Stopping by different food stations throughout the evening offers them the chance to naturally meet new people.
At corporate events, especially conferences, networking is incredibly important. Building relationships with others in your field has the potential to bring you and your company greater financial success. So why not count on food stations to facilitate more mingling? You’ll get to forge connections while sharing a delicious meal; there’s no better combination!
Lower Wait Times for Meals
One major downside of plated meals and buffets is that guests are served longer. For plated meals, servers have to come to each individual table and serve guests one at a time. At a buffet, the serving line often moves slowly.
Skip the hassle of both with stations! Guests can get food whenever they get hungry, and there’s no need for long wait times, like with buffets, because there are several serving stations around the room.
Catering Interactive Desserts
The fun of food stations isn’t just limited to the main course; they’re also a great option for displaying desserts! Treat your employees at your next holiday party with dessert stations, or ditch the wedding cake at your wedding reception if you’re looking for less traditional (and less expensive) sweet treats.
There are many types of dessert stations to explore, and Elysian Events has you covered with various delectable choices! Check out our interactive menu options:
- Beignet Bar: Your guests will love these bite-size beignets paired with delectable pecan praline and seasonal fruit sauces!
- Bread Pudding Bar: Embrace this cozy favorite at your next event! Cinnamon bread pudding will certainly be a hit, complemented with rum sauce, mixed berries, white chocolate ganache, and more.
- Bananas Foster Action Station: Customize your scrumptious sundae made up of flambeed bananas and vanilla bean ice cream.
Mini Dessert Display: Why choose one dessert when you can have three? Our mini dessert displays consist of tiny cupcakes, cheesecake bites, and tartlets, providing your guests with a multitude of after-dinner treats.
Create Interactive Menus Guests Love with Elysian Events
When it comes to creating the perfect menu for any occasion, Elysian Events Catering is the perfect company for the job! We started our company over a decade ago, and we remain passionate about crafting foods our clients love.
If you are looking to create an interactive menu for your next event in NOLA, check out our full menu of station options and get in touch with us (you can do so by clicking here)! We look forward to making your event special.
