In the world we live in today, our lifestyle choices are somewhat different to what they were in the past. We’re now living a lot healthier thanks to the advancement of technology and the rise of leisure centres throughout the UK. We’ve also become more aware of what we’re putting into our bodies, so nutrition is priority for many, especially amongst modern business men and woman. So this had us thinking, what are these high-flying professionals looking to be served up when they attend corporate events because, to be honest, the entire success of a day might depend on the mid-afternoon buffet, so it’s crucial for catering companies to pick out the right food to serve.
Together, with indoor gas heaters providers, Flogas, we’ll run you through our top seven quirky catering ideas for corporate events.
The end of afternoon tea
The times have changed, you’re less likely to find any guest that will be blown away by the traditional cheese and ham or egg and cress sandwiches, despite them being delicious comfort foods. However, that doesn’t mean the traditional lunch choice of sandwiches is somehow defunct. In fact, there exist a number of fillings that will get heads turning and bellies rumbling, although plain white bread probably won’t make the slice.
Although you don’t need to scrap the idea of afternoon tea completely, you can just switch up the tradition. Instead, why not serve your guests with a spicy roasted shrimp and chipotle avocado mayonnaise, or fiery Mexican BLT on a freshly baked sourdough? These are just two of our favorites that will ensure you’ll get empty plates all round. Alternatively, if you want to take your sandwich expression to the next level, call upon Philadelphian eatery, Elsie’s, for some inspiration. Have you ever found yourself wishing you got a bit more bite (of pickle) for your buck? Well, using Elsie’s method that won’t be a concern, as this deli substitutes bread for the brine-soaked vegetable!
With regards to drinks, it’s time to take out the traditional English breakfast tea as it won’t compliment your funky sandwiches, instead bring lemon drizzle or Turkish- apple-infused hot drink. . And to finish — well, we don’t think anyone would begrudge a well-baked slice of Victoria sponge.
Introduce bowl foods to your guests.
A concept that first featured in Prince Harry’s and Meghan Markle’s wedding. Much like Ronseal, bowl food does exactly what it says on the tin. Featuring somewhere between the unfulfilling canopy and the food-baby delivering main course, bowl food can feature any cuisine and is served in a hand-sized dish with a small fork. As a serving method, this is perhaps the most ideal for a corporate event as it allows people to continue mingling, rather than be restricted to one table.
Buddha Bowl
If you’re serving breakfast at your event, the traditional English breakfast has lost its appeal in recent years. Fear not, bowl foods are here to save the day and give your event a new appeal. Layer the base of your bowl with pan fried spinach, and top it with tomatoes, avocadoes, and poached eggs — add sliced chipolatas and lardons to cater for the meat eaters among us. After this, the multiple minds will be fueled for the rest of the day, and the creative juices are more than flowing.
If your event takes place in winter, don’t be afraid to serve something that’s homely and warm. A small portion of steak pieces, carrot, parsnip, onion, and root mash will trump most competition. However, a Christmas time vegan favourite is curried chickpeas with roasted brussels sprouts. Mix the dish up with radish, avocado, sweet potato and tahini, and serve over a base of quinoa.
Start up the BBQ
A concept you can find used by our Australian counterparts. Take the catering outdoors, while this idea may take a little longer, we guarantee it will reap rewards. Full of omega 3 and scientifically proven to be good for the brain, the humble fish is a popular choice among young professionals. Jamie Oliver has coined a fantastic recipe of barbequed trout wrapped in newspaper — incredibly high in protein, it will prove to be a hit with any of the health conscious too. Alternatively, if you want to take things ‘truly Down Under’, you can’t do much better than shrimp on a stick, on the barbie!
Of course, it doesn’t just have to be seafood you serve at the BBQ. Breakfast has proved to be successful cooked on the grill at events in recent years, as has the popular vegetarian dish, halloumi and tzatziki.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala is a dish that actually originated in the UK. It was developed by South Asian restaurants here and has made it to our list. Spice up your event with some traditional Asian culture and draw upon the combination of intense flavours. The Curry Squad, a company based just outside of London, has been bringing its street food sensations to the people of the capital for the past six years. Drawing upon their vast knowledge of flavours from cities such as Bombay and Lahore, the chefs offer an authentic Indian experience. Some of their specialties include ‘bhaji bites’, ‘popping candy gol gappas’, and ‘amritsari rajme chole’.
Serving Paella
Paella is one of the best dishes to serve at an event, it takes minimal effort, provides an explosion of taste and is very cheap to make. Grab some frozen seafood mix, risotto rice, chorizo sausage, lemon and lime, and herbs and spices — it really is up to you. Fortunately, with paella, you can get creative as it really depends on the taste preferences of the guests. White or red wine can be added, but bear in mind the rest of a creative afternoon before dashing half a bottle in.
Branded Food
Not a popular concept, which isn’t surprising. A clover in the foam of a pint of Guinness always appeared to be somewhat of a sneaky marketing ploy as you indulged in the first sip. However, if you are trying to conduct a bit of subliminal messaging, this might be exactly what you’re after. Stencils can be used as a way to write your company or organisations name in coffee, or call upon the likes of Branding Irons to develop a customised food stamp. Bagels, burgers, and pancakes will never be the same.
Provide a picnic
The weather needs to be on your side for this concept, so we recommend a contingency plan to be implemented, for a rainy day. You can pull it out of the bag with a wicker basket, complete with blanket, cafetière, and a selection of Danish pastries.
Above, we have run through seven quirky ideas you can apply to your next corporate event — in this dog eat dog world, it is all about success, and that is exactly what these concepts will deliver!
Go vegan friendly
Why not step up a notch an embrace the ever-growing trend of veganism and vegetarians by adding animal-friendly treats to your menu. You can pull it out of the bag with a wicker basket, complete with blanket, cafetière, and a selection of Danish pastries.
Above, we have gone through the seven quirky ideas you can apply to your next corporate event — in this dog eat dog world, it is all about success, and that is exactly what these concepts will deliver!