A raw bar can be a popular addition to a wide range of catered events. They usually involved an array of oysters, shrimp, and a host of other seafood, as well as condiments such as cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, and more. If you're planning a gathering and you know that many of those who will be in attendance are seafood lovers, talk to your catering service about a raw bar.
Once you've established what will appear on your raw bar menu, it's time to think about some ways that you can make this food available to your guests. Here are three raw bar options.
Buffet Style
A popular layout option for a raw bar is as a buffet. Your catering service will dedicate one or more tables to this fare, and arrange all of it in a tasteful manner. This will allow your guests to approach the table much as they would a conventional buffet. They can grab a plate and a napkin at one end, and then make their way down the table as they load whatever food they favor onto their plates. This type of raw bar can work especially well at events in which there's no sit-down meal, as people will be accustomed to holding small amounts of food while they stand.
On Tables
If your catered event will have a formal sit-down meal, another option is to offer a scaled-down version of your raw bar at each table. In this scenario, your catering service can lay out the elements on a raw bar on a large serving plate or even a butcher block-style board. A server can then place one of these plates or boards at the center of each table, shortly before your guests sit down. Many of them will enjoy taking items off the raw bar to enjoy in anticipation of the main courses arriving.
Roaming
If you're looking for a trendy and visually appealing option, consider a roaming raw bar. For this idea, your catering professional will hire a few servers to carry large platters that hold all of the necessary elements. They'll make their way around the room and stop wherever there are guests gathered. This will give your guests the ability to grab a plate and/or napkin and serve themselves a few things. Roaming raw bars work well at many events, including corporate gatherings, wedding receptions, and more.
Contact an event caterer for more ideas.
Share12 January 2021
Party planning is not my forte. I can do a lot of things, but putting together an event of any kind is not one of them. When it is my turn to host the family gatherings or put together a birthday party for my kids, I always struggled with the menu. I never knew what to serve my guests, so I started looking into hiring a catering service to prepare the food for me. After I eliminated the menu problems, planning parties became much easier. There are so many options of food services to use, so I created my blog to help others that share my lack of menu planning abilities get through their party planning a little easier.