Special event catering can vary greatly from foods to displays. However, from weddings to business luncheons, one thing is for sure–guests love to snack.Which is why hors d’oeuvres should be considered for your next event.

What is an Hors d’Oeuvre?

Hors d’Oeuvres are small bite sized foods to be served outside (“hors”) of the main courses of a meal (“oeurvre”). Hors d’Oeuvres and appetizers may be similar, but appetizers are typically heavier and are served as the first course of a meal. Hors d’Oeuvres can range from light to heavy, with light hors d’oeuvres being served during an event before a multiple course meal, an informal snack or in-between meals; heavy hors d’oeuvres offered during an event that occurs near lunch or dinner time in which no meal will be served.

How many Hors d’Oeuvres should be allotted per person?

There are many factors to consider when calculating what kind, and how many of hors d’oeuvres should be provided.

• The time of day
• How long the “cocktail hour” will be
• If a meal will be served following the “cocktail” period

For a two hour cocktail hour plan for 4-6 servings each of hot and cold options per person (8-12 total). If no dinner is being served, plan for a higher number–typically 8-10 each of hot and cold options per person (16-20 total).

Guests will typically go through more food within the first 90 minutes. Even if a dinner is being served, appetites may spike up again after the second hour. For longer cocktail hours, plan for multiple waves of higher consumption.Younger guests eat more than older guests and there is typically more eating at casual events than formal affairs.

What Kinds of Hors d’Oeuvres should be served?

• Consider the clientele of the event–hors d’oeuvres for children will be very different than those for a formal adult dinner.
• The location can highly affect what kinds of food you should include. For example, an outdoor affair in the summer may not be best for seafood or certain cheeses that can be highly affected by temperatures.
• If hors d’oeuvres are taking the place of dinner, consider providing sweet options as a “dessert” substitute and heavier options (potentially a carving table, etc.).
• To determine how many different kinds of Hors d’Oeuvres to provide, consider the scale of the event. Too many options can get confusing for a caterer and may be overwhelming for a small party. However, larger parties with a varying scale in preferences may appreciate a wide variety of options.

These tips may help you start brainstorming the theme of your food, but ultimately your special event caterer or event planner will likely be your best resource for determining the best course of action. G Texas Catering offers plenty of options for hors d’ouevres or appetizers–just contact a representative for more information for your next special event.