Delicious food brings people together—at home, with friends, and especially at events. At AVENUE, we’ve seen how the right catering approach can elevate the entire guest experience. Whether your event calls for a casual reception or a formal dinner, selecting your style of catering is an important decision in the planning process.
Before you dive into menu details, consider which catering style best suits your event’s tone, timeline, and program. Our flexible venue layout can accommodate everything from passed hors d’oeuvres to family-style dinners or multi-course plated meals.
Let’s take a look at five popular styles of catering for your next event. (And if your menu includes drinks, be sure to also check out 4 Tips to Shorten Your Bar Line.)
Reception Appetizers: Bite-Sized and Social
When your event is more about mingling than a sit-down meal, appetizer-style catering is a perfect fit. Menus can range from light bites and finger foods for a standing reception to hearty “mini entrées” like sliders, tomato soup shooters, or bite-sized quiches.
Appetizers can be presented at self-serve stations for casual gatherings or offered as passed hors d’oeuvres, where servers circulate with trays. Passed service can help ensure food is evenly distributed and stays plentiful throughout the event.
Best for: relaxed afternoon or early evening events where guests can mix, mingle, and nibble or programs followed by a social hour.
Buffet Style: Variety and Flexibility
Take the appetizer station up a level with a buffet-style meal. Guests choose from a range of entrées and sides, whether self-serve or assisted by catering staff. Buffets work especially well when you want variety and flexibility in portion sizes.
Morning buffets might feature continental options or hot breakfast entrées, while lunch buffets often include salads, sandwiches, or boxed meals for a quick conference break. Evening buffets can become an experience of their own—think carving stations or build-your-own pasta bars.
Best for: mid-sized events or large spaces where multiple buffet lines can help keep service quick and the program on schedule.
Family Style: Shared Platters, Shared Connections
For events where buffet service isn’t quite right but individual plates feel too formal, family-style catering offers a warm, communal experience. Each table receives shared platters of entrées and sides, allowing guests to serve themselves and one another.
This format creates a sense of connection at each table and can make it easier to accommodate dietary preferences—like offering vegan or gluten-free options at every table rather than pre-assigning special meals.
Best for: events that emphasize conversation, connection, and a sense of community.
Plated Meals: Classic Elegance and Ease
When you picture a formal event, a plated meal likely comes to mind. Each guest is served individually by catering staff, much like in a restaurant. Plated catering can be as simple as one preset course for a breakfast event or luncheon, or as elaborate as a multi-course dinner.
This style of catering ensures consistent portioning and presentation and typically follows a preset schedule that aligns with your program.
Best for: formal events where timing, presentation, and service are top priorities.
Sweet Endings: Creative Ways to Serve Dessert
Dessert can be as versatile as the meal itself. Whether you’re adding a small touch of sweetness or turning it into a show-stopping finale, here are a few ways to serve it:
- Preset desserts at each seat for a polished, time-saving option—especially during plated meals.
- Dessert platters at each table for family-style service, encouraging guests to share.
- Dessert stations that quietly appear during the program and are unveiled after the final presentation.
- Dessert auctions, where local bakeries donate signature treats for guests to bid on—a fun and flavorful fundraising gala idea.
No matter the format, dessert is the perfect note to end on.
How to Choose the Right Style of Catering
The best catering style depends on your event goals, guest flow, and program schedule. A reception of passed appetizers might encourage mingling, while a seated meal helps guests focus on presentations or performances.
Whatever your choice, our recommended caterers are experienced with all styles of service and can help design a menu and time their service to perfectly match your event at AVENUE.