Add Fun Foods to Your Event

If you're looking for a way to add excitement to your event, why not consider adding some fun foods?

The fun foods trend has become increasingly popular in the last three years, and it makes sense if you're looking for a way to add a lighthearted touch to your event.

Fun foods touches are now popular at weddings, but are also increasingly popular at fundraisers, corporate and non-profit events (at everything from conference refreshment breaks to evening social hours), and private events for guests of all age groups.

And these are touches--generally they are served in addition to the food of the main menu for the event.

Why Fun Foods?

Adding a fun foods touch to your event will add an unexpected level of lightheartedness that guests of all ages can enjoy.  And since it often IS unexpected by guests, the combined element of surprise and whimsy or fun will make guests smile and put them in a relaxed mood. 

This can be especially important for certain events, such as corporate conferences, fundraisers, or weddings, where there might be a little tension or anxiety.  But in any case, if it puts guests in a relaxed mood, that's a good thing.

Here are some fun foods ideas:

• Popcorn (plain and flavored), popcorn balls, or Cracker Jack
• Hot pretzels
• Cake pops
• Hot dogs or sliders
• Cookies
• Brownies (especially if cut into shapes and/or frosted)
• Mini pies (mini pie makers available from Sunbeam and Breville, or you can also use a Babycakes Cupcake Maker)
• Ice cream sandwiches, cones, or popsicles
• Root beer or sherbert floats (use straws)
• Cones filled with sweet or savory fillings
• Chocolate milk or fruit smoothie shooters
• Donuts (so easy to make, and so superior in taste, to commercial donuts: make holes in refrigerator biscuits or a biscuit dough cut out as for biscuits and fry in hot veg oil until golden on both sides, then roll in regular or cinnamon sugar)
• Cream-filled cupcakes (similar to Hostess Twinkies and cupcakes but more elegant and with no trans fats; you can make them yourself with a special mold available at www.bryanlanehome.com or at large retailers and fill with regular or chocolate whipped cream or Nutella, or have a baker prepare for you)
• Mini Mexican bites (mini taquitos, flautas, quesadillas, or gorditas)
• Macaroni and cheese or bread pudding in small individual custard cups

Serving Fun Foods

To serve your fun foods you can either go with a high/low mix of serving them on elegant trays of your choice or, if appropriate to your event, on more "fun" type serving pieces such as colorful platters, or certain foods can also be served in small colored takeout boxes, or on stacked colored glass cake stands.  Or you may want to go all out and set up a canopy of some type, even indoors, to mark off your fun foods area, and decorate the area.

Be aware that companies exist that offer to cater fun foods at events, but often their food and setup are of the type more appropriate to an outdoor festival, and so may not be right for your event.  In addition, their food often contains trans fats.  Better to create or have done for you your own fun foods with food you can trust, and a setup to serve them that's right for your event.

Enjoy!

Kristina

Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com