Catering Connection showcases a stellar job including DELICIOUS food and professional staff. The company's tenor is also impressive. The chef has been with Catering Connection for over 20 years and one third of the staff have over a dozen years of working together there. That certainly creates a well-oiled machine, which trickles down to the guests’ experiences and hosting a memorable event with great food and rave reviews from both clients and their guests!

Since they are the experts in the biz, they shared with us some great tips for munchies if you’re hosting a cocktail reception. Take a look and also check out a few of Catering Connection’s food displays and appetizers at an event by Felici Events and photographed by Rewind Photography.

Catering Connection Cocktail Reception Tips

Yes, SIZE matters!

Bite-size appetizers are a MUST for cocktail receptions. This is a time where guests are typically standing and likely to: hold a glass of something in one hand, perhaps have a clutch or purse, shake hands or hug other people and share conversation all while never having to lose eye contact with or get messy in front of the person they are talking to. 

Bite size is important for cocktail receptions, confirm with your caterer that the appetizers are edible in one or two (small) bites at most.

Spoon Me

Serving items on a spoon allows for two things: 

1. A stealth one-swoop ninja movement of deliciousness into your mouth

2. To house some yummy sauce. The basil-crusted scallops as well as the grilled shrimp cocktail in a shot glass below exemplify this.

Pick Me

A take on chicken and waffles, delicious freshly made bite-size chicken nuggets dipped in waffle batter, fried, and served on an easy-to-grab toothpick. Dip into the syrup, and pop in the mouth.

Be sure to REPEAT, because they're delicious!

Lettuce Feed Vegans & Health Nuts

To add a healthy option, shelving from The Tent Merchant housed two types of pre-plated farm-fresh salads served in chilled bowls. The open drawers held forks making for an easy grab and go, plus, no line!

Hold Me (over)

Add something a little heavier for a dinner-time reception like the made-to-order gnocchi station which not only fills the air with a delicious garlic and olive oil aroma but also fills the belly to soak up some of the alcohol.

Sweeten the Deal

For those with a sweet tooth, a make-your-own pavlova station creates guest conversation and interaction while they are selecting from the assorted toppings which includes fresh berries, whipped creams, syrups nuts and sweet surprises.

Photography:  Rewind Photography | Venue & Catering Catering Connection |  | Coordination: Felici Events | Rentals: Ventura Rentals | Flowers: Sarah Hinton | DJ:  Music by Bonnie | Lighting and White Bar: Bellavista Designs  | Styling: Greg | Kerry Lee Dickey