USVI-On-Line

My friend is have a reception for her art show opening next month. She has asked me to do the food since she does not cook.
I have a million thoughts but I want to be sure that they are appropriate for the event. I will be making finger foods only, no dips, just one or two bite apps, but not sure what direction to go in.

If you have been to one, what did they serve?

Shrimp cocktail, beef tenderloin on mini baguette slices with some kind of horseradish cream sauce (I think), chicken satay, mini crab cakes. That's all I can remember, I don't like to eat at receptions.

Edited to say that these were all passed items. I would not do shrimp or crab on a stationary display, people will eat too much, and you may even have people stuffing shrimp into ziplocs (no lie, I have seen it happen--at a work function, no less!).

MIni quiche, cheese cubes and crackers, mini egg rolls, quesadilla wedges

Be sure to include something vegetarian!

I've been to dozens and dozens of art shows (having been in the biz) and I can assure you that every show is "wine & cheese". If you want to get more creative, go for it, but people won't expect much more. Certainly nothing that makes your fingers greasy or icky, people don't always understand not to touch the art.

[quote="liamsaunt"]Shrimp cocktail, beef tenderloin on mini baguette slices with some kind of horseradish cream sauce (I think), chicken satay, mini crab cakes. That's all I can remember, I don't like to eat at receptions.

Edited to say that these were all passed items. I would not do shrimp or crab on a stationary display, people will eat too much, and you may even have people stuffing shrimp into ziplocs (no lie, I have seen it happen--at a work function, no less!).[/quote]

Wait a minute, did we work together in 2001?

I worked at a bank that hosted after business hours cocktail parties for commercial and trust customers. These would occur once or twice a quarter.

There was one attorney in particular that regularly stuffed his pockets, to the point of bulging, with shrimp. Because he was elderly, we laughed it off.

But the (bank) employees? Holy cow, it was like hogs to the trough when the food was uncovered! They would mound appts on their plates and scurry back to their offices to transfer into containers to take home.

I have seen both passed nibbles (high end) as well as just cheese and crackers/toasts. My experience is limited to university showings (faculty and travelling collections) and small independent galleries, if that makes a difference.