With barbecues and grill-outs in the cards for many industry pros this week, here are some fresh ideas for all-American catering—with a twist.
Cheesecake Truffles
Chicago company Katherine Anne Confections creates seasonal truffles. This month, flavors include "American Cheesecake," made with white chocolate, blueberries, strawberries, and cream cheese.
Photo: Courtesy of Katherine Anne Confections
Chicken and Watermelon
New York catering firm Bite is serving fried-chicken-and-watermelon canapes at some of its summer gatherings. The watermelon tile is soaked in spicy raw ginger juice and honey then topped with a spicy Napa cabbage slaw with green chiles.
Photo: Courtesy of Bite
B.L.T. Bites
In Boston, the Catered Affair provides miniature one-bite B.L.T. sandwiches.
Photo: Blonde Tulip Photography
Baby Corn
Here's a novel spin on corn on the cob: The Catered Affair serves tempura-fried baby corn.
Photo: Blonde Tulip Photography
Burger-Shaped Desserts
At Philadelphia-based firm Brûlée Catering, executive pastry chef James Rodebaugh creates a summery spread called "Pastry Patio Picnic." The desserts array offers sweets shaped like classic American snacks, and items include "French fries" made of toasted pound cake and "burgers" made with chocolate-ganache pound cake topped with sliced kiwi (meant to look like lettuce) and mango gelee that resembles cheese.
Photo: Courtesy of Brulee Catering
Exotic Ice Cream
Operating in Southern California, New York, Dallas, and Austin, Texas, Coolhaus caters events and has a roster of unusual ice cream flavors. This season's lineup includes coconut Campari with blood orange and passion fruit as well as "Salty S'Mores" and "Fast Food" ice cream, which contains salted Tahitian vanilla-bean ice cream mixed with malt balls and french fry strings.
Photo: Penny de los Santos
Upscale Chicken Wings
At Encore Catering in Toronto, chef Roshan Wanasingha is offering updated takes on chicken wings. One new dish is a Southern-style chicken drumette on a buttermilk corn muffin with bean-corn salsa.
Photo: Courtesy of Encore Catering
Patterned Pies
In Austin, Texas, Tiny Pies makes "Flag" pies for the 4th of July. The desserts are filled with cherries and blueberries and topped with stars-and-stripes-patterned crust.
Photo: Jody Horton Photography
Starry Cocktails
Rhumbar in Las Vegas has Americana-theme cocktails this month. Drinks include the Patriot, made with vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, blue Curaçao, and egg whites. The garnish is stars made of Angostura bitters.
Photo: Peter Harasty Photography
Strawberry Shortcake Shooters
Boston's BG Events and Catering offers strawberry shortcake "shooters." The desserts are topped with fresh basil.
Photo: Courtesy of Bite
High-End Hot Dogs
Chicago's Entertaining Company puts a sophisticated spin on Chicago-style hot dogs by putting toppings—including chopped tomatoes, pickled peppers, and onions—in sleek silver vessels.
Photo: Courtesy of Entertaining Company
Grilled Rib Eye Steak
Wolfgang Puck Catering in Los Angeles has new "grilling menus" this season. Servers bring a Wolfgang Puck-branded grill to event spaces, and menu items include rib eye beef steak.
Photo: Courtesy of Wolfgang Puck Catering
