![During the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington in May, The New Yorker hosted a cocktail party where passed hors d'oeuvres from the W Washington D.C. were presented on trays featuring previous covers of the magazine.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2016/08/634848457_dk_1662_cf93b1eb0688b9c2d208e1a80377015a_1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![In June, Lancôme hosted an artful party to launch its newest products in New York. A unique open tray, oriented vertically, was reminiscent of architecture or candlesticks. It offered bites from Pinch Food Design.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2016/08/1_130.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![In June, Patina Catering catered the opening of Skyspace Los Angeles, the observation deck that also includes a glass slide 1,000 feet above the city. As part of an elaborate catering offering, Patina served late-night hors d'oeuvres that were passed as the party came to a close. The grab-and-go boxes featured cheddar beef sliders on mini sesame buns, crispy tater tots, and mini milkshakes.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2016/08/christopher_todd_studios.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![At the flagship boutique opening for Hublot in New York in April, goat cheese and kalamata olive lollipops from CxRA lent a graphic, dramatic, black-and-white look against an all-black tray.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2016/08/4_106.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Edible flowers are another decorative garnish that can be used with meats or served with desserts, like this key lime fruit tart topped with strawberry hibiscus fruit leather, and garnished with strawberry sauce painting, lemon sauce, and micro edible flowers.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2016/08/fruit_tart.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Each year, a local caterer in the host city sponsors the evening party on the second day of the conference. This year, at the Capitol Fare party held at Dock5 on August 16, Occasions Caterers served a variety of dishes via buffet tables, food stations, and its new revolving ferris wheel of appetizers, such as caprese salad and gazpacho shooters.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2016/08/4091.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Fill ‘R Up Gastro Garage catering](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2016/07/bizbashla_fillupgastrogarage_michellekylephoto_4.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Los Angeles-based catering company Fill ‘R Up Gastro Garage uses blow torches to cook on site, creating an interactive, entertaining option for events. The chefs—called “mechanics”—create sweet or savory “tanks”: brioche-style doughnuts that are torched and filled with nitrous foam in a variety of flavors. The company has worked with clients such as American Idol, Warner Brothers, and Social Media Week Los Angeles, and can travel to events around the country. Prices start at $10 to $20 per guest, depending on numbers, hours, and other factors.
![Pumpkin Creme Brulee](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2012/11/125nacegala2012_pr.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![In the second-level dessert lounge, Hoosier Mama Pie Co.'s station offered mini pies on a stick.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e16318taste9.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Shepherd’s pie with a gougère cup, horseradish potato puree, English peas, pearl onions, and braised beef short rib paired with a mini shot of Guinness from Boutique Bites in Chicago](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e21363shepherd_s_pie_and_guinness___scott_thompson_photography.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Gale Gand, Tru's pastry chef, said she used her mother's pie crust recipe for her banana-cream-pie bites.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e16606five.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Paramount Catering's Great Pumpkin Cocktail](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2015/09/pumpkincocktail_courtesy_of_paramount_events_copy10.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Limelight Catering's Pomm Pomm](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2015/09/pomm_pomm_erika_dufour_for_limelight_catering_copy7.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Earl's Kitchen & Bar's Bee's Knees](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2015/09/earls_bees_knees_cocktail_copy2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Wolfgang Puck Catering's Chef Shadowboxes](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2015/11/wolfgang_puck_shadow_box_horizontal.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
For a recent event at the Perot Museum of Science and Nature in Dallas, Wolfgang Puck Catering employed a "chef shadowbox." Meant to provide a strong visual behind a more standard food station, a chef in a shadowbox prepared appetizers as guests looked on.
![Limelight's 'Smash It' Station](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2015/11/smash_it_courtesy_of_limelight.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Limelight's "Smash It" station offers assorted homemade chocolate bark in flavors such as dark chocolate with dried cherries. Mallets next to the sweets let guests "smash" off a snack-size piece of the bark.
![An illuminated table held jars filled with candy.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/12/d49367_008.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Ridgewells provided two dessert stations with mini-sweets like pie bites and tiny macaroons for the after-party.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/dsc_3275.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Atlas's yellow and black display for the launch of Pilates NYC's pre- and post-natal programs.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e14563table.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![At the Campfire Ball benefit for Children’s Oncology Services in May at Venue One in Chicago, Cork Catering set up a make-your-own s’mores station.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e2137207.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Occasions Caterers set up an elaborate dessert buffet in a separate room at the Anderson house with Cuban sweets like drunk pineapple, exotic fruit crème brûlée, coffee parfait, and cocktail arroz con leche.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2012/05/_mg_0135.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![A baked-goods station had sweet bites, including mini brownie squares, sugary doughnut holes, and bite-size chocolate chip cookies.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2012/06/img_3848.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Silver Lining In Flight Catering provided an extensive dessert bar at the after-party.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e16340standalone1b.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Clackstandalone](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/clackstandalone.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![At the doughnut station, guests could top freshly baked plain doughnuts with white or milk chocolate sauce, powdered sugar, chopped nuts, or colored sprinkles.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e17056image8.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![An ice sculpture held push-up pies in nostalgic flavors such as banana cream, cookies and cream, and mixed berry parfait. Nearby, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and oatmeal raisin cookies were served warm on griddles.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2012/08/aguilar_0815.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)