Instead of the usual soup or salad, here are 10 creative first courses for sit-down meals.

Grilled octopus with pickled watermelon and Persian mint from Grace Restaurant Events and Catering in Los Angeles
Photo: Matt Armendariz for BizBash

Braised pork belly with forbidden black rice and figs from Grace Restaurant Events and Catering
Photo: Matt Armendariz for BizBash

Acorn squash cappuccino with black trumpet mushroom sticks from 42 Degrees Catering Services in Washington
Photo: Powers & Crewe for BizBash

Duck rillettes with parsnip mousseline, mizuna, and wine-poached apples from 42 Degrees Catering Services
Photo: Powers & Crewe for BizBash

Chili-rubbed prawns over edamame in a bowl of warmed aromatics from Cleaver Company in New York
Photo: Miha Matei for BizBash

Sea bass and passion fruit carpaccio with edible petals, trout caviar on a potato crisp with chive crème fraîche, and oyster topped with lemon granita from Cleaver Company
Photo: Miha Matei for BizBash

Niçoise salad stack with an edible herbed windowpane from Catering by Michaels in Chicago
Photo: Michael Maes for BizBash

Wild mushroom terrine topped with an asparagus chip and chèvre sauce served above asparagus risotto filled with truffled corn soufflé from Catering by Michaels
Photo: Michael Maes for BizBash

Deconstructed Caesar salad from Eatertainment Special Events and Catering in Toronto
Photo: John Cullen for BizBash

Green tea-smoked tenderloin of beef on a roast potato with pickled ginger and wasabi and a sweet soy glaze from Eatertainment Special Events and Catering
Photo: John Cullen for BizBash