Fantastic Food Stations to Delight Your Clients

Caterers are constantly pushing the envelope—especially regarding food stations. Food stations are an easy way to serve more complex, personalized cuisine, as well as interactive, fun options.

As fall approaches, we asked ICA members to tell us about their unique and exciting station ideas, and many eagerly responded! Here are some of the best station ideas, from entertaining appetizers to delightful desserts.

Created by: Daniel et Daniel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

SMASH BALL STATION: Upscale cuisine meets childhood dreams with this fun station. Chefs fill chocolate globes with toppings, like toffee and peanut butter dust, freeze them and then smash the globes onto different sauces and mix. The final product tastes excellent on ice cream and is a grown-up way to play with your food!

Created by: CarteWheels Catering, Kerrville, Texas

LATIN FUSION STATION: These flavors were meant to be together, even if an ocean separates their cuisines. Korean beef tacos, elotes asados (Mexican street corn), and ensalada del mare make for an excellent station with delicious, exciting food.

Created by: Lattitude Restaurants & Events, West Springfield, Massachusetts

INTERACTIVE HANGING SKEWER STATION: Skewer stations are an awesome vehicle to showcase cuisine from a variety of cultures. This diverse station features cilantro lime chicken, jerk shrimp with pineapple salsa, garlic herb sirloin with Chinese black pepper sauce, garlic chipotle bruschetta and an Israeli couscous salad.

Created by: Santa Barbara Catering, Tempe, Arizona

FLAMING RISOTTO STATION: Chefs cook in giant paella pans and guests choose the ingredients to put into their risotto. The picture above features lemon zest, local peas, asparagus, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and sautéed garlic shrimp.

Created by: Partyman Catering and Rental, Avon, New York

TACO STATION: Tacos are a versatile crowd pleaser and are well suited to stations. This station features chicken and fish tacos, with a variety of toppings and mini hibiscus margaritas.

Created By: Cru Catering, Charleston, South Carolina

SOUP STATION: Snacking is made easy (and delicious) with this Wisconsin beer cheese soup station. The Midwestern favorite comes with freshly made soft pretzel bites.

Created by: Rochelle Myers Catering, Leesburg, Virginia

BACON STATION: Bacon is one of the most beloved foods in America. This station honors the cured meat made in tons of dishes, including bacon wrapped shrimp, blue cheese-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates, chocolate bacon, candied bacon, and bacon cheddar biscuits.

To learn more about the ICA visit www.internationalcaterers.org. 

Get Fresh August 2015