Finger Foods vs Canapés
Finger foods and Canapés are often confused; however, they are not the same thing.
Canapés are more intricate and beautifully presented. They’re often served on trays by waitstaff at formal events, like weddings or cocktail parties. They are designed to be eaten in one or two bites. Finger Foods are more casual and come in a wider variety of forms, including sliders, chicken wings, or even skewers. Finger foods are often served grazing table-style or placed on platters for guests to help themselves. The presentation can range from elegant to casual, depending on the event.
How Many Canapés Should I Order Per Guest?
The number of canapés you order per guest is dependent upon the size of the canapés. If you have larger canapés (finger foods), then 5-6 items will be enough. If you have a menu of small canapés, you may need 8-12 per person.
For example, canapé menu #1 (5 items), would be around the same volume of food as canapé #2 (7 items).
Canapé Menu #1 –
Peking duck, cucumber, parsley, plum sauce
Crispy beetroot tartlet with beetroot relish, whipped ricotta, black olive
Savoury cracker, brie, honey, golden raisin, quince paste
Spanner crab remoulade, sesame seed waffle cone, caviar, chives
Tuna sashimi, prawn chip, roasted sesame dressing, chives
Seared scallops, kombu butter emulsion, crispy fried shallots
Pork Belly lollipops, apple gel, baby coriander, kale powder
Canapé Menu #2 –
Arancini, portobello mushroom, onion, parmesan, pesto aioli
Fancy, home-made pork sausage rolls, served with tomato sauce
Pulled beef soft shell mini tacos, pico de Gallo, guacamole.
Beef slider, brioche bun, American cheese, tomato sauce, pickle
Spiced chicken brioche burger, with sweet chilli mayo, coleslaw
With this being said, if you are hosting a Sydney canapé event on a budget, try choosing the larger canapés/finger foods on the menu.
Roaming Canapes vs Grazing Table Canapes
These are two very different services. I will present the pros/cons of each.
Roaming canapé Service
Pros:
• Super classy: A good roaming cocktail canapé service is about as classy as it can be. Platters of fresh, and delicious canapés are being brought directly to you whilst enjoying some drinks and mingling with you guests.
• Minimal space required: For a roaming canapé service, you really do not require much space. You do not need tables or chairs. The only space required will be the kitchen so that the chef can plate the canapés for you.
Cons:
• Costly: The quote for roaming canapés can add up rather quick compared to grazing tables. This is because of one main factor. The waitstaff required to roam them. E.g. If you are hosting a canapé party in Sydney for 80 guests. You will require at least 3 waitstaff @ $260 each.
Grazing table canapé service
Pros:
• Grazing tables are great as they do not require waitstaff. In turn, this can lower the quote for the canapé event quite a bit.
Cons:
• Your guests will need to help themselves and disrupt conversations to go and grab some food.
• Guests may not go to get food as often as they may like, therefore they may be hungrier than is ideal.
How big are our canapés?
Canapés vary in size. Anywhere from 1 -2 bites (standard canapé size) to 4-5 bites (finger food size). I will place some comparisons below.
1-2 bite canapés:
Savoury cracker, brie, honey, golden raisin, quince paste
Spanner crab remoulade, sesame seed waffle cone, caviar, chives
4-5 bites canapés/finger foods:
Pulled beef soft shell mini tacos, pico de Gallo, guacamole.
Spiced chicken brioche burger, with sweet chilli mayo, coleslaw
What’s the typical duration of a canapé event?
Canapé events can vary in duration. A mid-size menu (7 canapés), will last around 1 hour and 45 minutes. However, service can be sped up or slowed down depending on the guest’s preferences.
Can I create the canapé menu?
Yes, you can create your own menu. Our canapé menu offers over 20 different items. You can choose your own items from this menu, creating your own unique menu.
What is the cost of canapé catering in Sydney?
Canapé catering services in Sydney can vary quite significantly. However, we find that most of our events land within the $40 – $65 per person. This is inclusive of everything, food, travel, chefs, waitstaff, GST etc.
If you are looking for a more premium canapé catering menu, you could be looking more in the ballpark of $80 – $110 per person. (all-inclusive).
In conclusion
There is a lot to consider when thinking about Canapé catering Sydney. Be assured, throughout the booking process, we will help you every step of the way.
For the best cocktail catering service in Sydney, enquire now.