
Grilled corn on the cob with assorted toppings; roasted potato salad on chive sticks; watermelon cubes with feta and spinach; spinach salad with chopped eggs and microgreens in bacon cups; “hot dog” and “hamburger” macarons; and apple pie parfaits, by Windows Catering Company in Washington
Photo: Erika Rydberg for BizBash

Ahi tuna salad with pineapple-sesame dressing, greens, tobiko, and sambal aioli; cucumber rolls; hoisin duck salad with quinoa, wakame, and roasted vegetables; macadamia nut biscotti; coconut alfajores; and Absolut Ruby Red vodka, Soho lychee liqueur, and Patron Citronge cocktails, by Brûlée Catering in Philadelphia
Photo: Andrew Kahl for BizBash

Mac ’n’ cheese; chicken wings served with assorted sauces; kielbasas; Bavarian pretzels; and grilled chicken Caesar salad wraps, by the Garden at Studio Square NYC in New York
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash

Grill-ready clay pot kalbi, with marinated beef, soybean paste, fresh garlic, red leaf lettuce, vegetables, and kimchi, by Miss Korea Barbecue in New York
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash

Chopped salad with salumi, provolone, fresh oregano, and red wine vinaigrette; tarragon egg salad sandwiches with watercress and radishes; and ricotta pound cake with Meyer lemon curd and whipped cream, produced by Dandelion Ranch Events with catering by Cooks County in Los Angeles
Photo: Bridget Kenny for BizBash

Bento boxes including chilled Italian antipasti, served with sangria with blood orange ice cubes, iced tea with lemon zest and mint, and Peroni beer, by Parkland Chef in Boca Raton, Florida
Photo: Andrew King/LuvRox Photography

Urban Picnic bento box including a chicken ’n’ waffles sandwich; a prosciutto, parmesan, and sherried fig jam sandwich; gazpacho in a cucumber bowl served with a pipette of vinaigrette and a dusting of avocado snow; a Caprese potato salad skewer; and a trio of sweet-and-savory suckers, by Truffleberry Market in Chicago
Photo: Tyllie Barbosa for BizBash

Vegetable-filled tamales served with green mole sauce and cilantro, by Naturally Delicious Caterers & Events in Brooklyn
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash

Sweet potato souffle with roasted Brussels sprouts, maple syrup, and wild rice latkes, by FIG Catering in Chicago
Photo: Tyllie Barbosa for BizBash

Red and yellow tomato tartare with avocado, white gazpacho, and cucumber geleé by Occasions Caterers in Washington
Photo: Erika Rydberg for BizBash

Rustic potato pancakes with homemade apple chutney and pickled red cabbage fennel slaw, by Naturally Delicious Caterers & Events in Brooklyn
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash

Roasted corn, poblano, and garlic sopes served with salsa verde, by FIG Catering in Chicago
Photo: Tyllie Barbosa for BizBash

Mini lentil-and-bulgur burgers served on sesame-seed buns with curry ketchup and McClure’s pickles, by Naturally Delicious Caterers & Events in Brooklyn
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash

Buffalo mozzarella, watercress, grapes, pistachios and lavender honey-lime vinaigrette by Occasions Caterers in Washington
Photo: Erika Rydberg for BizBash

Golden citrus beets served with lemon verbena, mascarpone and honey powder by Occasions Caterers in Washington
Photo: Erika Rydberg for BizBash

Rosemary-infused waffles served with buttermilk-battered smoked cauliflower, horseradish, pickled cabbage, and wild arugula salsa verde by Daniel et Daniel in Toronto
Photo: Courtesy of Daniel et Daniel

Mediterranean salad with roasted-pepper hummus, by Abigail Kirsch in New York
Photo: Courtesy of Abigail Kirsch
The Ingredient: Chile de Árbol

“I love chile de árbol—Spanish for ‘tree chili’—and am excited to use more of it in the coming year. It has this great smoky, subtle flavor that is the perfect alternative to black pepper.” —Elaina Vazquez, owner and head chef at Boutique Bites Catering & Events, Chicago
Photo: Courtesy of Boutique Bites Catering & Events