Food stations at reception

JennVT11 · February 2011

Hey Ladies!
Our wedding is in the evening in November with approx 125-150 attending, so we've got some time to think and decide but I wanted to get some opinions...
We are wanting food stations for our reception. As of now, the menu has a BBQ station (ribs, pulled pork bbq sliders, baked beans/slaw), and a salad station (dried cranberries, pine nuts, grapes, almonds and all other "normal" salad stuff). We are wanting to add an Asian station (fried rice and lo mein, veggie spring rolls, teriyaki ::or sweet-and-sour:: chicken) since our favorite food is Asian. We are also having a station with lighter finger foods (lemon chili shrimp sticks, mini twice-baked potatos and vegetable bruschetta). Each table will represent the theme of that station and I feel we need more than 2 or 3. The more I think of it, the more I'm second-guessing the salad station. Should we skip it and add a more filling station? Any more suggestions for stations that would be filling enough so guests won't leave hungry?
PS. I am aware of the price change to add 2-3 more stations to our existing menu and even with the add, we will stay within budget. Thanks for your suggestions!

RebeccaB88 · February 2011

Oh, I want to go to your reception. That all sounds so good.

Salad is kind of tough to eat at a buffet. You always need a second plate for it. Are we talking like a salad bar type thing? Composed salads pre-made might work better - potato salad, bean salad, grilled veggie salad, pasta salad, that kind of thing. Or maybe a veggie station with grilled veggies (kabobs?), a composed salad or two, stuffed mushrooms, antipasti, marinated veggies, etc.

Pasta station? Cold seafood bar? Mexican? Sushi?

sb9411 · February 2011

Yum- it sounds really good. I agree with PP. It is good to have vegetarian options, so I would definitely do the precomposed salads or the salad bar, but not get rid of it completely!

nordke · February 2011

I would suggest maybe doing a platted salad ready for them when they sit down and then having the food stations with the other options. This way everyone will have food (salad) right away and hopefull maybe cut back on lines at the stations since some people may want to eat their salad first.

Budnotes · February 2011

I'm Italian - do an Italian station!!! Pasta, meatballs, sausage and peppers, eggplant parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, chicken marsala - I could go on, but you get the idea! Good luck.

Ljacks87 · February 2011

I have helped cater an event similar to this one. We had several themed stations: Asian infusion, Salads, Mediterranean, and Italian Favorites. Everyone liked the salad station. The most popular station was Italian, where we served mini chicken parmesan and freshly prepared pasta; very filling. We also included sushi in the Asian station, and it was a big hit and makes for a great presentation. Hope that helps!

SunnySonya · February 2011

The menu sounds wonderful. I went to a party once where the caterer put the salad in a glass. Worked great and was easy to eat.

k&t2011 · February 2011

Here is what has been suggested from our various caterers. Our first date was at Coney Island and our theme is Fire and Ice.

Food Stations:

Mexican Food

Nachos offered with an array of toppings such as beef, nacho cheese, pico de gallo (hot), fresh salsa (mild), jalapenos, sour cream and guacamole.
Mini beef enchiladas
Combination fajitas (a combination of bell peppers, onion, chicken, chorizo and beef). This is a make-your own station.
Mexican salad - an offerning of wild greens with citrus, red onion and jicama with sweet yogurt dressing

Pasta Variety
There will be a choice of two of the following pasta shapes: Linguine, Spaghetti, Radiatore, Rotini or Penne.

Puttanesca sauce - tomato based sauce with garlic, red chili pepper, anchovy parsley and capers. Moderately spicy.
Spicy Naked Garlic Pork - crumbled pork, sauteed with garlic and chili oil. This one is spicy.
Chipotle Alfredo - traditional cream based alfredo cooked with pureed chipotle peppers in adobo. Spicy.
Vodka sauce - tomato based sauce with vodka, garlic, red pepper flakes, basil and heavy cream. Moderately spicy.
Traditional Ragu - tomato based sauce cooked all day with beef & bones steeped in the sauce for richness. Not at all spicy.
White Clam sauce - cream based sauce with garlic, white wine and clams. Not at all spicy.
Alfredo sauce - traditional cream based sauce with several cheeses. Not at all spicy.

Coney

Hot dogs and hamburgers offered with the following accompaniements: mustard, ketchup, Dijon aoili, sweet relish, sour pickle slices, sauerkraut, lettuce, onion, tomato, cheese slices, and bacon crumbles.
I can try to provide french fries and am looking into how to set up a turkey fryer for that purpose. If you would like to serve fries, we can do regular sea salt and vinegar fries like they serve on the eastern shore. Or, we can omit the fry option completely.
I was thinking fire and ice cole slaw. I make a Vietnamese cole slaw that is just like traditional but with pineapple and Vietnamese chili paste added in; spicy. Then offer a traditional creamy cole slaw as well.

JennVT11 · February 2011

Thanks girls!
All of these ideas sound wonderful! I love the idea of the salad ready for them when they walk in (thanks Nordke!). We do not want to take pictures together prior to the ceremony and that would allow time for guests to eat while we're taking pics, then we could eat the main course with them. And the Italian station... yum! I'm so glad my caterer has been so cooperative, we've changed the menu at least 3 times already! So, for now I'll plan to have a plated salad, a BBQ station, an Asian station, an Italian station and maybe a Mexican station. These guests better come HUNGRY! Thanks again!

Food stations at reception

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