One trend that we're seeing with food and drinks these days is the ability for guests to create or personalize their own food, drinks and even favours. Displays can be customized with fun labels in the party's theme and colours. This is a great idea in today's everybody-has-a-food-restriction world!
We can't be sure, but we're convinced the trend started with the now well-known candy buffet. The Party Planning Committee has created lavish candy buffets, complete with candy trees, personalized favour bags, and custom colours - and we loved it!
We can't be sure, but we're convinced the trend started with the now well-known candy buffet. The Party Planning Committee has created lavish candy buffets, complete with candy trees, personalized favour bags, and custom colours - and we loved it!
What we're seeing more recently are 'food stations', which can include anything from appetizers to main courses to desserts to drinks to favours. Here are a few of our favourite ideas!
At one of our favourite Vietnamese restaurants in Ottawa, Ox Head, they serve wrap-it-yourself rice wrap rolls that are delish! Toppings include cellophane noodles, bean sprouts, basil, shredded carrots and cucumbers, chicken/beef/pork, and the yummiest peanut sauce. This would be so much fun for an asian-themed party!
At one of our favourite Vietnamese restaurants in Ottawa, Ox Head, they serve wrap-it-yourself rice wrap rolls that are delish! Toppings include cellophane noodles, bean sprouts, basil, shredded carrots and cucumbers, chicken/beef/pork, and the yummiest peanut sauce. This would be so much fun for an asian-themed party!
Another fun DIY main course is a mac and cheese station! Offer one or two base mac and cheese types, and set out chopped bacon, chicken, lobster, green onions, shredded gruyere, asparagus, mushrooms, fried onions, and any other yummy things you can think of.
A variation on mac and cheese: a pasta station.
We also loved the idea of a sweet, baked or mashed potato station!
For dessert, an ice cream bar would be a sure hit! Play with interesting flavour combinations - maple bacon, anyone? To keep it frozen, display individual servings in mason jars on ice.
Other dessert ideas: cupcake bar...waffle bar....mmmm!!!
For favours, our favourite trend is the popcorn bar. Super easy, chic and inexpensive! Set out various seasonings, add-ins like sprinkles and smarties, and of course, tons of butter!
As for drinks, the sky is the limit! This bloody mary bar is super fun!
What kind of food and drink stations have you seen recently?
Love,
Ashley, Jen and Alessandra
Love,
Ashley, Jen and Alessandra
