Brew Dishes: 8 Menu Items That Contain Coffee

Give meeting attendees a boost with these catering items that incorporate java.

February 19, 2019

From espresso-rubbed tenderloin to a chocolate tart with coffee ganache, these mains, desserts, and drinks are creative ways to offer your guests and meeting attendees a quick pick-me-up.

A chocolate rocher served with coffee chantilly, cake tuile, and chicory meringue, topped with gold leaf, by Patina Catering in Los Angeles

A chocolate rocher served with coffee chantilly, cake tuile, and chicory meringue, topped with gold leaf, by Patina Catering in Los Angeles

Photo: Ghost Media Inc.

Iced coffee and doughnut lollipop flight, by Truffleberry Market in Chicago

Iced coffee and doughnut lollipop flight, by Truffleberry Market in Chicago

Photo: Brittany Bekas

Espresso-rubbed and herb-crusted tenderloin, by Ridgewells Catering in Bethesda, Maryland

Espresso-rubbed and herb-crusted tenderloin, by Ridgewells Catering in Bethesda, Maryland

Photo: Courtesy of Ridgewells Catering

“The Better Barista” with Blackwell dark rum, Dorda sea salt caramel liqueur, espresso, simple syrup, and chocolate bitters, by F10 Catering in Palm Springs

“The Better Barista” with Blackwell dark rum, Dorda sea salt caramel liqueur, espresso, simple syrup, and chocolate bitters, by F10 Catering in Palm Springs

Photo: Courtesy of F10 Catering

Mushroom toast with house-made truffled coffee oil from recycled grounds and garnished with fresh toasted coffee grounds, by Drake Catering in Toronto

Mushroom toast with house-made truffled coffee oil from recycled grounds and garnished with fresh toasted coffee grounds, by Drake Catering in Toronto

Photo: Courtesy of Drake Catering

Brown sugar chili espresso barbecue braised pork bon bons, by Truffleberry Market in Chicago

Brown sugar chili espresso barbecue braised pork bon bons, by Truffleberry Market in Chicago

Photo: Brittany Bekas

Chocolate tart filled with cocoa nibs, soft caramel, and coffee ganache, and topped with mocha whipped ganache and a disc of Dulcey chocolate, by Ridgewells Catering in Bethesda, Maryland

Chocolate tart filled with cocoa nibs, soft caramel, and coffee ganache, and topped with mocha whipped ganache and a disc of Dulcey chocolate, by Ridgewells Catering in Bethesda, Maryland

Photo: Courtesy of Ridgewells Catering

Maple espresso-lacquered pork belly, by Truffleberry Market in Chicago

Maple espresso-lacquered pork belly, by Truffleberry Market in Chicago

Photo: Aimee Mazzenga

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At a fundraiser for Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, caterer Blue Plate created a five-course dinner inspired by how a child with autism experiences the world. One course was called 'Things Aren’t Always As They Seem.' It was meant to surprise the guests, with cheese molded to resemble summer fruits, pumpernickel “dirt,” chocolate-covered “grasshoppers,” edible “pebbles,” and grilled bread.

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