They say the best things come in small packages. Thus, the ever-rising popularity of canapés and bowl food at London private parties and corporate events is easily explained. These exquisite little masterpieces don’t just look good and taste delicious. Opting for finger food solves the problem of space and allows your guests to really enjoy a party, as they are able to freely walk around and interact with each other, while canapés are being passed around on trays and platters by waiting staff. There is also a more varied selection of food on offer as opposed to a formal sit down meal, so you can be sure that none of the guests will leave your party hungry.
Is a canapé service the best fit for my event?
A canapé party offers numerous advantages, making it a popular choice for events of all sizes. It provides a more relaxed and social atmosphere, allowing guests to mingle and move freely without the formality of a sit-down meal. The variety of bite-sized treats offers something for everyone, catering to different tastes and dietary preferences. Canapés are also versatile and can be easily tailored to fit the theme or style of your event.
How many canapés to serve per person?
It really depends on a party you are having. We would usually recommend around 8 savoury and 2 sweet canapés per person for a standard 4-hour private party at home, where no other food is served.
If it’s a drinks reception after a wedding ceremony and a wedding breakfast will follow, 3-4 pieces per person will do just right. These quantities will surely tease the taste buds but won’t be enough to spoil the appetite of your wedding guests before the main meal.
If you would like to serve some finger food at a gallery event, aim for around 6 canapés per person.
While it is always good to be on a safe side and have some extra food in case your guests are very hungry, try not to worry much whether canapés will last till the end of the party. Our waiting staff will control the quantities and will slow down the service if needed.
What canapés to choose?
We offer two distinct canapé menus designed to suit different event needs.
Our Ready To Go Canapés are a budget friendly option. They come pre-packaged in boxes, ready to be served. No chef is required on site, as our waiters and waitresses can simply transfer them onto serving platters. Although all Ready To Go Canapés are typically served cold, some can be reheated at the venue if preferred. Please reach out to us to confirm which canapés are suitable for reheating.
Our Gourmet Canapés offer a premium selection, with both hot and cold options available. A chef will be required on site for preparation and setup, along with kitchen facilities such as a table, oven, and hob. If your venue doesn’t have these amenities, don’t worry – our chefs can bring all the necessary equipment with them.
Make sure you cater for all tastes and preferences – have seafood, meat, poultry, vegetarian and vegan canapés. Think allergy and include dairy and gluten free options as well.
Tip: It’s essential to find out prior to an event if any of your guests have certain food intolerances and let us know.
What are the most popular savoury and sweet canapés?
From our waiters’ and waitresses’ experience, the most popular savoury canapés at a party are:
From Ready To Go Canape Menu
- Beef and Ale Mini Pie
- Melon Prosciutto
- Smoked Salmon Tart
- Paramount Mac & Cheese Croquettes
- Roasted Pepper Vol Au Vent
- Spicy Sweet Corn Fritter
- Brownies / Salted Caramel
- Lemon Posset / Lemon Peel
From Gourmet Canape Menu
- Beef Tataki
- Lamb Braised Cous-Cous
- Crab Salad
- Tuna Tartar
- Leeks Pie
- Wild Mushroom Tart
- Pie Mind Fritter
- Torta / Berries / Pecan
What catering equipment will I need?
Canapé service is one of the simplest catering formats, requiring minimal equipment while still delivering a high-impact experience. Since the focus is on bite-sized, hand-held snacks, you don’t need large serving setups or extensive kitchen tools. Essential equipment typically includes serving trays or platters and cocktail napkins.
We offer a wide range of serving trays available for hire to suit your event’s needs. The most popular choices for canapé events today are slate trays, which provide a stylish, rustic look that enhances the presentation of your canapés, and glass trays, offering a sleek and elegant option that complements any event décor.
How many waiting staff will I require for canapé service?
For canapé service, we typically recommend having one waiting staff member for up to 40 guests, focused solely on distributing the canapés and ensuring everything runs smoothly. If you’re also serving drinks, additional staff will be needed to manage the beverage service, ensuring that your guests are fully catered to without any delays.
Can I provide my own canapés?
If you decide not to use our catering service for your finger food event and choose to source the canapés elsewhere ☹, we kindly ask that you provide our waitstaff with detailed information about the canapé ingredients, including any potential allergens, as well as heating instructions if applicable. Our staff are fully equipped to use your oven to heat the canapés and will arrange them beautifully on the serving trays.
Please note, if you expect the staff to heat and serve the canapés, we recommend having one staff member for up to 30 guests.
Any other useful tips on how to organise a canapé event?
- Remember to keep our Ready To Go canapés refrigerated until service.
- Timing is key to a successful canapé party! We recommend waiting until 15-20 guests have arrived before starting to serve any food. This ensures you don’t risk serving too early, when there might still be fewer guests. Our waiting staff will carefully space out the canapés throughout the event, ensuring they are served at the perfect intervals. This way, we’ll make sure you don’t run out of finger food too soon or end up with excessive leftovers.
- A little reminder about napkins—they often get overlooked but are absolutely essential! Having enough napkins for your guests to hold their canapés and clean their hands is a simple yet crucial detail. So, make sure to stock up on plenty of cocktail napkins to avoid any sticky situations!
- And finally, once our staff arrive and are briefed, don’t forget to relax and enjoy yourself! Take the time to mingle and interact with your guests – our capable team will handle the rest. So you can focus on having a great time. Delegate, relax, enjoy!