Catering Trends: 10 New Menu Items From Chicago Caterers

Jenny Berg
July 24, 2012

Whether you're searching for menu ideas to serve at company picnics and other summer corporate events—or you're already looking ahead to fall galas and benefits—here's a look at Chicago caterers' latest food offerings for seated dinners, cocktail parties, and other kinds of events.
 

Amy DiTomasso, founder of Sugar Chic Designs, aims to create elegant dessert tables. For a recent photo shoot with a Mad Men theme, DiTomasso created a spread laden with goods from mostly local vendors, including gold-dusted tiramisu cake pops, individual mini blueberry pies, and key lime cake; candies included Jordan Almonds, M&Ms, and sour-apple gummy bears. DiTomasso works with graphic designer Abby Barnett of Flair Designery to create custom-printed materials and table collateral.
Amy DiTomasso, founder of Sugar Chic Designs, aims to create elegant dessert tables. For a recent photo shoot with a Mad Men theme, DiTomasso created a spread laden with goods from mostly local vendors, including gold-dusted tiramisu cake pops, individual mini blueberry pies, and key lime cake; candies included Jordan Almonds, M&Ms, and sour-apple gummy bears. DiTomasso works with graphic designer Abby Barnett of Flair Designery to create custom-printed materials and table collateral.
Photo: Carasco Photo
Glazed & Infused, a new doughnut shop with locations throughout the city, caters handmade treats for breakfast meetings. Available by the dozen, the doughnuts come in flavors such as maple-bacon long john (pictured), PB&J, and roasted banana.
Glazed & Infused, a new doughnut shop with locations throughout the city, caters handmade treats for breakfast meetings. Available by the dozen, the doughnuts come in flavors such as maple-bacon long john (pictured), PB&J, and roasted banana.
Photo: Courtesy of Glazed & Infused
The Meatloaf Bakery's food truck, Meatloaf-a-Go-Go, has a new line of sandwiches suited for lunch meetings. Served on bread or rolls from the local Red Hen Bread Co., the sandwiches come stuffed with classic or turkey meatloaf. For vegetarians, the Yentl-Lenti-wich is a tomato-basil tortilla filled with rice, lentils, cheese, and red pepper coulis. All orders come with a bag of chips.
The Meatloaf Bakery's food truck, Meatloaf-a-Go-Go, has a new line of sandwiches suited for lunch meetings. Served on bread or rolls from the local Red Hen Bread Co., the sandwiches come stuffed with classic or turkey meatloaf. For vegetarians, the Yentl-Lenti-wich is a tomato-basil tortilla filled with rice, lentils, cheese, and red pepper coulis. All orders come with a bag of chips.
Photo: Courtesy of the Meatloaf Bakery
At the Chicago Botanic Garden's rose-themed Summer Dance in June, Calihan Catering served appetizers on trays strewn with pink flower petals. Offerings included foie gras macaroons flavored with summer cherries and Grand Marnier.
At the Chicago Botanic Garden's rose-themed Summer Dance in June, Calihan Catering served appetizers on trays strewn with pink flower petals. Offerings included foie gras macaroons flavored with summer cherries and Grand Marnier.
Photo: Bob Carl for Chicago Botanic Garden
Equipped with a doughnut fryer, the new Beavers Coffee & Donuts truck has offered its treats at events like the Lincoln Park Zoo's Zoo-Ologie. Menu items include fresh mini doughnuts with cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or chocolate. A selection of 'Gourmet Donuts' includes flavors such as Turtle, PB&J, or the Strawberry Bella, which combines strawberry sauce with graham cracker crumbs. The coffee is a Cuban-inspired blend roasted in Miami especially for the truck.
Equipped with a doughnut fryer, the new Beavers Coffee & Donuts truck has offered its treats at events like the Lincoln Park Zoo's Zoo-Ologie. Menu items include fresh mini doughnuts with cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or chocolate. A selection of "Gourmet Donuts" includes flavors such as Turtle, PB&J, or the Strawberry Bella, which combines strawberry sauce with graham cracker crumbs. The coffee is a Cuban-inspired blend roasted in Miami especially for the truck.
Photo: Courtesy of Beavers Coffee & Donuts
At an in-store promotion for Juicy Couture in May, Truffleberry Market served seared ahi tuna sushi rolls with black sesame and pink pickled ginger. The bites were festively displayed in a row of crossed chopsticks.
At an in-store promotion for Juicy Couture in May, Truffleberry Market served seared ahi tuna sushi rolls with black sesame and pink pickled ginger. The bites were festively displayed in a row of crossed chopsticks.
Photo: Francis Son Photography
At Marwen's Paintbrush ball in June, Limelight Catering served a first course of watercress and shaved asparagus salad with aged goat cheese, mustard vinaigrette, soft poached egg, and a brioche shard.
At Marwen's Paintbrush ball in June, Limelight Catering served a first course of watercress and shaved asparagus salad with aged goat cheese, mustard vinaigrette, soft poached egg, and a brioche shard.
Photo: Joseph Palmer
Elaina Vazquez, chef and owner of Boutique Bites Catering, is serving upscale versions of classic TV dinners. Separated by strands of pink pearls, plates are divided into sections containing different bites. This one offers filet mignon topped with quail egg, lobster mac 'n' cheese, and Brussels sprouts with carrots.
Elaina Vazquez, chef and owner of Boutique Bites Catering, is serving upscale versions of classic TV dinners. Separated by strands of pink pearls, plates are divided into sections containing different bites. This one offers filet mignon topped with quail egg, lobster mac 'n' cheese, and Brussels sprouts with carrots.
Photo: Cristina G. Photography
The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel unveiled its 'Couture Cuisine,' new pairings of cocktails and small plates from chef de cuisine James Papadopoulos, in June. One pairing includes jerk chicken wings with mango mint alongside the Snow White-tini. Garnished with an edible orchid, the creamy cocktail combines honey-flavored Stoli vodka with Godiva white chocolate liqueur.
The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel unveiled its "Couture Cuisine," new pairings of cocktails and small plates from chef de cuisine James Papadopoulos, in June. One pairing includes jerk chicken wings with mango mint alongside the Snow White-tini. Garnished with an edible orchid, the creamy cocktail combines honey-flavored Stoli vodka with Godiva white chocolate liqueur.
Photo: Lindsay Rafayko
Pure Kitchen Catering prepares food using fresh ingredients from local farmers and producers. One of their new seasonal items is a one-bite charred strawberry appetizer, made with shitake mushroom, truffle oil, clove, balsamic vinegar, and basil.
Pure Kitchen Catering prepares food using fresh ingredients from local farmers and producers. One of their new seasonal items is a one-bite charred strawberry appetizer, made with shitake mushroom, truffle oil, clove, balsamic vinegar, and basil.
Photo: Courtesy of Pure Kitchen Catering
More in Chicago
New BizBash Hall of Fame inductees are (top row): Barbara Lee Cohen; Jack Luft; Karen Malone; Candace Collins Jordan; and (bottom row): Lori Adlesick, Carey Pinkowski, and Michael Nishi, along with rising star honoree Morgan Bucciferro.
BizBash Hall of Fame to Add Chicago-Area Event Professionals
ChicagoMay 15, 2019
Labeled 'UNcorked,' the main level of the Lyric Opera offered dining areas, a dance floor, and circular bars from HMR Designs, decked with ornate candelabras. The names of the various event spaces played off the event's official name: UNgala.
​This Is What Happens When You Turn a Traditional Annual Gala Into an 'UNgala'
ChicagoApril 18, 2019
Set the stage for serendipitous moments at Long Beach event spaces.
Set the stage for serendipitous moments at Long Beach event spaces.
SponsoredFebruary 20, 2020
Field Museum
Chicago Venues
ChicagoFebruary 12, 2019
Field Museum
Chicago Venues
ChicagoFebruary 12, 2019
Blue Plate is putting a unique twist on the traditional bread service for seated dinners. At each setting, the evening's menu is printed on a bread sleeve containing an individual baguette. A trio of butters—including flavors like garlic and herb, honey pecan, and goat’s milk—is placed on the table and served family style for everyone to share.
5 New Ideas for Entertaining in Chicago
ChicagoJanuary 17, 2019
Hotel Zachary, the new 173-room Lakeview hotel from Tribute Portfolio, part of Marriott International as well as Hickory Street Capital, a real estate development company owned by the Ricketts family, who also are majority owners of the Chicago Cubs, officially opened in late March. Situated across from Wrigley Field in the midst of the new Gallagher Way entertainment district—which includes 12 restaurants, a 30,000-square-foot open-air plaza, and a conference center—the hotel contains a number of historical touches, such as original blueprints and an original sketch that Wrigley Field architect Zachary Taylor Davis made of the ballpark. In addition to serving breakfast every day, the intimate second-floor Alma Room, named after Davis’s wife, is available for seated events for 55 guests; with the tables removed, the space, which features exposed brick walls and a hot pink neon 'Love Alma” sign, accommodates as many as 100 guests.
Best of 2018: 10 Most Notable Chicago Venue Openings of 2018
Local Venues & DestinationsDecember 18, 2018
At 6,000 square feet, the Dalcy is Lettuce Entertain You’s largest private event hall in the city, housed on the third floor of new Mediterranean-influenced Aba eatery in Fulton Market. Although modern elements were added to the interior, no major structural changes were made to the building—which, dating back to 1887, is reportedly one of the neighborhood’s oldest—preserving original design elements such as its brick walls and arched windows. With room for 320 seated guests (with dancing) or 550 standing attendees, a number of seating options are possible, including a classroom configuration that could be used for a daytime meeting and a crescent-style layout for award dinners or other events. Catering options include Aba-inspired small plate dishes like beef tenderloin with a cauliflower puree or pan-roasted halibut; the restaurant’s rooftop, featuring skyline views, ivy, and a fireplace, can hold reception-style events for 220 guests.
new chicago venues
ChicagoOctober 24, 2018
#3 Art & Architecture Event (up from #4) The Chicago Architecture Foundation’s free festival gives the opportunity to see 250 properties in 48 hours that are rarely open to the public. Now in its eighth year, the event added Beverly, Morgan Park, and Austin neighborhoods joining 30 others. It is believed that the Chicago event is the second largest of its kind, outside of London, welcoming around 91,000 attendees last year. Next: Fall 2019
Chicago's Top 100 Events 2018
Top 100 EventsOctober 16, 2018
On September 27, CitizenM Hotel celebrated the opening of its newest property in New York with a party created and produced by NA Collective. The burlesque-theme event featured three room experiences, one of which included a contortionist who popped out of the roomy luggage space under the bed.
10 Best Ideas of the Week: a Sparkly Contortionist Under a Bed, a Graffiti-Decorated Wall of Suitcases, Kevin Hart’s Tiny Home
ChicagoOctober 5, 2018
The River North outpost of the speakeasy-style lounge Blind Dragon, which also has locations in California and Arizona, is situated in the basement of the Found Hotel. Since early August, the venue has been serving up cocktails infused with lemongrass, ginger juice, and other inventive ingredients—courtesy of beverage specialist Justin Campbell, who’s crafted libations for Girl and the Goat—alongside chicken satay, Asian barbecue pork ribs, and other savory shareable items. Vintage tiki matting decorates the walls of the 2,000-square-foot venue, which holds 80 seated or 120 standing guests. Three private karaoke rooms, two with space for 10 crooners and one that can fit 15, are also on hand, offering guests a choice of more than 25,000 songs.
10 New Chicago Venues for Fall 2018 Meetings and Events
Local Venues & DestinationsOctober 4, 2018
BizBash Hall of Fame inductees are (top row): Katie Callahan-Giobbi; Dan Brice; Alexander deHilster; and (bottom row): Jim Horan and Barbara Siska.
BizBash to Induct Chicago-Area Event Professionals Into Hall of Fame
ChicagoSeptember 10, 2018
The Flamingo Rum Club opened in River North on December 1. With a nightly cabaret show that can also be booked for events, the venue seats 80 on its first floor or holds receptions for 100. The second floor has lounge-style seating for 20, or holds receptions for 50. On the menu, Caribbean-inspired tapas include shrimp ceviche and rice croquettes; the bar slings classic rum cocktails including mojitos, daiquiris, and Cuba Libres.
Venues Chicago
ChicagoAugust 29, 2018
Tim Hortons hosted a pajama party and movie screening for media and influencers on August 2 at the screening room at Thompson Toronto hotel. Guests were given branded robes to wear, while they indulged in the Canadian fast food company’s breakfast offerings and custom coffee cocktails served in Tim Hortons cups. The event was planned and executed by NKPR and the custom robes were designed by Plan-It Promotions.
10 Best Ideas of the Week: a Gummy Bear Tree, Tim Hortons Pajama Robes, a Rainbow-Hued Craft Installation
ChicagoAugust 10, 2018