TREND SPOTTED   06.18.09 9:00 AM
Low-Cost, Crowd-Pleasing Catering
As planners keep a closer watch on food costs, inexpensive fare like corn dogs, popcorn, and French fries are popping up on event menus.


  —Lisa Cericola
Passed food from Food for Thought at Target's Bullseye Bazaar pop-up in Chicago in May included mini corn dogs and chicken nachos.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Guests nibbled on dried fruit at People and Time's party at the St. Regis Hotel during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner weekend in May.
Photo: Jason Kempin/WireImage.com
The Cartoon Network's carnival-themed Adult Swim party for Upfront Week in New York in May had branded booths at the Nokia Theatre hawking corn dogs, pizza, peanuts, and hot dogs.

Photo: BizBash
The Art Gallery of Ontario's Massive Party in April passed hors d'oeuvres like French fries and mini Cubano sandwiches. 
Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash
At the greater Washington chapter of the International Special Events Society's annual Capital Awards Gala in April, guests helped themselves to a buffet of flavored popcorn by Smoothie Time.
Photo: Yassine El Mansouri for BizBash
Instead of doing its traditional sit-down benefit dinner, New York's Public Art Fund held a bowling night at Lucky Strike Lanes in May with buffet-style food and bottles of beer in Champagne buckets.
Photo: John Minchillo for BizBash

RELATED TOPICS Public Art Fund, Target, White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, Upfronts, ISES