Creating an atmosphere of uninhibited socializing can be challenging when it comes to planning a corporate holiday party. That's why interactive food stations are fast replacing the standard buffets. Providing the elegant offerings of a sit-down dinner and the casual environs of an intimate cocktail party, interactive food stations not only invite employees to engage in a festive culinary experience, but they also serve as a focal point for mixing and mingling. Staffed by friendly and knowledgeable chefs, food stations can be designed around a specific theme or an adventurous combination. 

Here are six fan favorites from Catering by Michaels:

Ramen Station 

A craze that's sweeping the country, ramen offers infinite variations and is a perfect addition to a winter holiday menu. Featuring broth freshly infused with wild mushrooms and served from hot tea siphons, the Ramen Station includes five-spice crispy pork and rice noodles as well as amazing combinations conjured up to delight even the most hard-to-please scrooges in the crowd.
Raclette Station
Similar to fondue, raclette is meant for sharing, which makes a Raclette Station an ideal menu choice for corporate parties. Individual portions of cheese are broiled and melted to order with mouth-watering pairings such as chipotle buffalo sausage with whole-grain mustard, cranberry boar sausage with black cherry preserves, and smoked kielbasa sausage with plum conserves, all served on a freshly baked pretzel bun.
Champagne & Seafood Cart
Nothing adds more class to a corporate holiday party than a Champagne and Seafood Cart. This station features a selection of miniature champagne bottles delightfully served on a roving wooden cart, accompanied by made-to-order seafood dishes prepared by a uniformed chef who circulates throughout the venue. Favorites include New England lobster rolls served over homemade kettle-cooked potato chips and chilled, house-poached jumbo shrimp on a bed of tequila cocktail sauce.
Poke Station
Poke is undoubtedly among the 2016 "foods that are way too cool," and Poke Stations are a big crowd pleaser. Building on a base of either seaweed salad, sushi rice, or brown rice, guests can opt for extra-firm tofu, Ahi tuna, or salmon. Then heap on a variety of garnishes, including mangoes or orange tobiko, and drench with sauces such as Japanese mayonnaise or Asian miso.
Caprese Salad Station
Multi-colored heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella di Bufala, and fresh basil leaves provide the main ingredients of this fabulous salad. Guests can spice it up with aged balsamic salt, black Hawaiian sea salt, and toss with a combination of organic Greek or Italian extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic, saba vinegar reduction, and freshly cracked black pepper.

Duck Fat Fried Chicken Station
resented in a smoke-infused glass dome, our Duck Fat Fried Chicken Station is over the top. Smoky Sriracha sauce is drizzled over our savory fried chicken and house-made cheddar bacon popcorn.
Call us at 847.966.6555 to learn more about our various action stations and explore which options are right for your corporate holiday party. Visit us at www.cateringbymichaels.com.
