What you won’t see at this year’s parties: carving stations with big hunks of pot roast, troughs of food lying under heat lamps, or sushi bars lined with rows of premade California rolls. What is trending: small plates, interactive food stations, and artfully presented bite-size fare. While some corporate clients are still attached to the formality of sit-down dinners during the holidays, experts say that guests love the variety that comes with cocktail and dessert receptions. “Throughout the year, employees are used to being served filet and fish at conferences and business dinners—at the end of the year, they want to have more fun,” says Gorjestani. Adds Chinea: “Guests like to see a chef creating a little masterpiece just for them. With small plates, everything is more interactive and focused on presentation.” And for those looking to go a step beyond live-action stations, servers at
Mary Giuliani Catering & Events in New York are now passing out tasting plates from trays strapped on cigarette-girl style: A recent event had staffers wearing “walking” mac ‘n’ cheese stations that allowed guests to grab an individual serving of the cheesy comfort food, then choose from D.I.Y. toppings, including jalapeños, bacon, and fried chicken, right on the spot.
Pictured: For a corporate party held last November in the Washington area, Magnolia Bluebird Design & Events worked with Occasions Caterers to design several custom stations, including one that offered guests their choice of freshly made salmon, tuna, or beef tartare (left); Mary Giuliani Catering & Events staffers wore “walking” D.I.Y. mac ‘n’ cheese stations at an event earlier this year (right).Photos: Geoff Chesman/Imagelink Photography (chef); Courtesy of Mary Giuliani Catering & Events (mac 'n' cheese)