Catering Ideas

The Jordan Farmar Foundation raises money to send children in need to summer camp, so a recent fund-raiser for the charity took on a campgrounds vibe. Nathaniel Neubauer of Contemporary Catering designed a seven-course tasting menu of foods that put sophisticated twists on childhood classics. The sashimi course, for example, was inspired by fish sticks. Neubauer represented pizza with Manchego-and-chorizo flatbread. Because the foods didn't require much silverware to eat, guests only had forks; other cutlery was playfully suggested with colorful blue drawings on the place mats. Sterling Engagements produced the event, which took place February 7 at Gindling Hilltop Camp in Malibu.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay held its annual "Big Night" event at House of Blues Boston February 9. At the soiree, servers circulated with appetizers including shrimp and guacamole tostadas and wild mushroom profiteroles. The event included high-octane performances from two bands—Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings—so servers from the Catered Affair wore signage that labeled each item in case verbal descriptions couldn't be heard over the music. Branded lanyards strapped around staffers' necks read "Hi, these are," with a quick menu description and warnings about any ingredients that potentially could cause allergic reactions.