Let us welcome the hottest trend in catering: Food Stations! If you think serving your guests a buffet seems unappetizing and a sit-down meal seems too expensive, food stations are a stylish, sophisticated alternative to feed your guests.
Food stations creatively showcase dishes in imaginative ways that awe guests and still offer a variety of food options like a buffet, but without that cafeteria feel. You also get that chic presentation of plated dishes that stands out compared to a sit-down meal.
What I love about food stations is that you’re able to lay out various small bites to satisfy everyone’s palate. And because the food is elegantly arranged all around the tables and is already beautifully plated, there are no food lines. (In my personal opinion, there seems something wrong about people who are dressed so formal spooning out food from a chafing dish, no matter how delicious the food is.)
Stations are often organized, by food themes, from various sampler dishes of Asian or Mexican cuisine to an Italian pasta bar. You can choose foods that have special significance to you as a couple: an homage to your heritage, cuisine that is reminiscent of your favorite travel destination or a signature dish that you and your spouse love to cook together.
Since food stations are often self-serve, it’s recommended that the dishes are presented on small plates so guests are urged to take just “bites” of various foods and then return to socializing.
Contrary to what most people think, custom-designed food stations are a economical option because the dishes use less food than a buffet and are self-serve so fewer waiters are needed than sit-down.
Food stations are a wonderful way to enhance the design concept of your celebration, while creating an interesting culinary experience for your guests. Provide some finishing touches on the stations, like selecting dishes and utensils that complement the food & beverage and the design concept.
If you have second thoughts on food stations at your wedding, first consider when you might want to use them. Some couples decide to have stations for their main meal service, or during the cocktail reception or you can have a dessert station after dinner. It is a matter of personal choice!
