If you have a decent budget for your craft service supplies, why not wow the crew with a few quick and easy appetizers. They expect the basics like cookies, chips, nuts and jerky, but when you show up with something interesting like a platter of freshly grilled chicken quesadillas or Blueberry-Banana-Almond Milk smoothies, they’re going to be pumped! You can choose to tray pass these to the above-the-line crew or platter them on the buffet for the below-the-line crew.
- Shrimp Cocktail: Add a bit of cocktail sauce to a dipping bowl and surround it with fully-cooked tail-on shrimp.
- Hummus Variety: Add a 2 to 3 varieties of hummus to separate serving bowls, then surround them with options like pita bread, raw veggies and sliced Fuji apples for dipping.
- Teriyaki Meatball Skewers: Sautee a bag of pre-cooked meatballs in a skillet and skewer with toothpicks before serving.
- Club Sandwiches: Toast a few slices of bread and layer with sliced tomatoes, lettuce and pre-cooked bacon or used the left-over bacon from breakfast. Cut sandwiches into quarters, skewer and serve.
- PBJs w/sliced bananas: Spread almond butter on one slice of bread and blueberry preserves on the other. Add a few slices of banana between the two and presto! You’ve got a Banana PBJ sandwich.
- Mini Chicken or Veggie Eggrolls: Sautee pre-cooked eggrolls in a hot-skillet and serve w/dipping sauce on the side.
- Hot Ready-Made Soup: If you a soup terrine or small chaffer, heat up a container of pre-made soup and let the crew serve themselves. Don’t forget to set small bowls and spoons nearby.
- Gourmet Cheese & Charcuterrie Platter: Layout a selection of pre-cut cheeses, a variety of cured meats, a few crackers, some olives and sliced fruit like apples or figs. Serve this for all to enjoy!
- Hot Turkey Sliders: Heat a few slices of turkey lunch meat in a skillet and layer it between dinner rolls topped w/a slice of provolone cheese. Serve with mustard on the side. A hot sandwich is a great way to wrap out a 12 hour day.
- Grilled Cheese w/Sliced Tomatoes: Skip the cheddar, layer a variety of cheeses like a smoky gouda and tangy Swiss along with a slice of tomato between two hearty slices of bread. Grill them to perfection. Slice and serve it up hot! They’re going to love it!