Cocktail And Appetizers Tasting

Cocktail and Appetizers Tasting

Preview Your Perfect Event Menu

Planning an event requires countless decisions, but perhaps the most important is selecting the menu your guests will enjoy. You want to feel confident that your chosen appetizers and cocktails will delight, impress, and reflect your event's character. At Susan's Kitchen Catering and Events, we offer personalized Cocktail and Appetizers Tasting experiences that allow you to preview and taste a curated selection of hors d'oeuvres and small bites from your proposed event menu before finalizing your catering order.

A cocktail and appetizers tasting isn't just about food sampling—it's a comprehensive consultation that allows you to experience our cuisine's quality, freshness, and presentation while providing feedback and making confident menu decisions. This personalized service ensures your chosen menu perfectly matches your vision and expectations, allowing you to host your event with complete confidence in your catering selections.

Cocktail and Appetizers Tasting Menu

We Offer unique and innovative food items that make a difference.

Appetizers 

• Coconut Curry Spoon Pan-seared cod, red cabbage slaw and mai ploy
• Diced code fish with red pepper Mousse, coconut sauce, carrot ribbons, cauliflower, zucchini In chili pepper cone.
• Avocado Mousse with Celery and hazelnuts in basil basket
• Thai Shrimp Wrapped in Katifi with Sriracha Aioli
• Succulent Shrimp Tapas with Mango Shooters
• Shrimp Ceviche with a Tequila spike
• Green Gazpacho Verrine
• White Pizza in a cup with focaccia sticks
• Chicken Satay Shooter with Peanut Sauce
• Spinach Swiss 2 “Pie
• Vegetables Ratatouille in Savory 3d Shell with Balsamic Drizzle
• Five cheese mac-and-cheese lollipops
• Caprese pipettes
• Cod Fish Mini Taco Creamy Slaw, Avocado, Chipotle cream

Desserts

• Champagne Infused Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Crème Brûlée Shooters
• Mandarin Orange Shooter
• Cannoli Bites
• Dark Chocolate Mousse Inside Chocolate Shell
• Chocolate spoon with torched S’mores
• Mango Bavaroise

Snacks

• Cheddar Cheese Straws
• Palmier Puff Pastry Ears Black Olive and Pesto
• Moroccan Spiced Chickpeas

Why Schedule a Cocktail and Appetizers Tasting?

Catering decisions significantly impact your event's success. Your menu creates the first impression guests receive, sets the tone for the celebration, and often becomes what guests remember most vividly. Making these decisions based solely on descriptions or photos leaves room for doubt. Will the flavors actually work together? Will portions feel adequate? Will presentation match your event's aesthetic? Will the selections truly reflect your preferences?

A professional tasting eliminates guesswork. You experience your proposed menu firsthand before committing financially. You taste flavor profiles, assess freshness, evaluate portion sizes, and review presentation style in a low-pressure environment where feedback is welcome and changes are expected. This experiential decision-making creates confidence that your menu will exceed your expectations and delight your guests.

Beyond menu confirmation, tastings provide valuable opportunities to discuss your event's vision with our culinary team. We learn about your event's purpose, your guests' preferences, your venue's character, and your desired atmosphere. This dialogue allows us to refine recommendations and ensure every menu element—from appetizers to desserts catering—aligns cohesively with your celebration's goals.

What to Expect During Your Tasting

Susan's Kitchen Catering designs tasting experiences tailored to your event type and catering style. Rather than overwhelming you with dozens of options, we curate a focused selection of 8-12 appetizers and small bites representing your proposed menu's flavor profiles, cuisines, and presentation styles. This curated approach allows you to evaluate quality and balance without decision fatigue.

Your tasting typically includes:

Appetizer Sampling: You'll taste a variety of hors d'oeuvres and small bites selected from your proposed menu. This might include passed hors d'oeuvres style items, hors d'oeuvres basket selections, stationary platter components, or items from themed catering and action stations you're considering. Each item is presented professionally and described fully.

Beverage Pairings: Sample NYC bar catering options and beverage selections coordinated with your appetizers. Wine pairings, signature cocktails, or specialty drinks complement your menu and demonstrate how beverages enhance the overall experience. Non-alcoholic options are always available.

Presentation Review: Examine how items are plated, garnished, and visually presented. Does the presentation match your event's style—elegant and formal, casual and approachable, bold and creative? Are portion sizes appropriate for your event type? Does color coordination and component balance create appealing, photographable presentations?

Quality and Freshness Assessment: Experience firsthand the quality of ingredients, cooking techniques, and flavor development. Taste how proteins are prepared, how sauces complement components, how textures and temperatures work together. This sensory evaluation confirms whether our culinary standards match your expectations.

Detailed Discussion and Feedback: Our culinary team discusses each item, explaining ingredient sourcing, preparation methods, and flavor inspiration. You provide feedback—what excites you, what doesn't resonate, what needs adjustment. Perhaps you'd like a sauce modified, a portion adjusted, an ingredient substituted, or a completely different option explored. Tastings are collaborative conversations, not one-way presentations.

Menu Refinement: Based on your feedback, we refine your proposed menu. Perhaps you loved three items and want to increase their quantities while eliminating two options you didn't connect with. Maybe you'd like vegetarian or gluten-free versions of select items. Perhaps you want to combine elements from different menu options to create a custom selection. Our team implements your preferences confidently.

Final Confirmation: By tasting's end, you've experienced your menu, provided feedback, and refined selections. You leave with complete confidence that your finalized menu perfectly reflects your preferences and will delight your guests. Documentation of your confirmed menu selections ensures clarity and alignment between your vision and our execution.

Tasting Options for Different Event Types

Corporate Events: For business catering, tastings might feature professional appetizers suitable for networking receptions, conference meetings, or upscale corporate celebrations. You'll evaluate whether selections maintain sophistication while remaining approachable for diverse business audiences. Dietary accommodation options are reviewed to ensure your event welcomes all attendees comfortably.

Wedding and Celebration Tastings: Wedding tastings often emphasize elegance, romance, and personalization. You might explore cocktail hour party snacks catering options, reception appetizers, and coordinated beverage selections. Multiple tasting sessions allow the couple and key family members to provide input. Seasonal or cultural elements reflecting your heritage can be incorporated and refined through tasting feedback.

Cocktail Reception Tastings: For events where appetizers are primary food, tastings emphasize variety, balance, and interactive elements. You'll evaluate traditional passed selections, stationary platter options, and whether themed catering and action stations align with your vision. Beverage pairings receive special attention for cocktail-focused events.

Casual Celebrations: For relaxed gatherings, tastings highlight approachable, crowd-pleasing options while maintaining quality and creativity. You'll evaluate casual yet thoughtful selections that feel personal and genuine. Events menus flexibility allows exploration of diverse cuisines and informal presentations.

How to Schedule Your Tasting

Scheduling a cocktail and appetizers tasting is straightforward. Contact Susan's Kitchen Catering and Events to discuss your event details—type, date, guest count, venue, and any specific preferences or constraints. Our team will recommend optimal tasting timing (typically 1-2 weeks before your event, though tastings can be arranged earlier in planning) and discuss which menu elements you'd like to preview.

During scheduling, share your event vision, dietary considerations, cuisine preferences, budget parameters, and any specific items you're particularly interested in sampling. Provide details about your guest demographics—their culinary sophistication, any cultural or religious dietary needs, allergies to accommodate. The more information you share, the more tailored and valuable your tasting experience becomes.

Tastings typically occur at our kitchen or a designated meeting space, lasting 45-90 minutes depending on scope and discussion depth. We accommodate scheduling flexibility to fit your calendar. Group tastings—where you bring key event decision-makers—ensure alignment among all stakeholders and prevent last-minute changes or disagreements about menu selections.

Investment and Value of Tasting Experiences

Professional tasting services typically involve modest investment—generally $150-$300 depending on scope, number of items sampled, and beverages included. However, this investment often pays significant dividends. You avoid expensive mistakes—ordering foods your guests won't enjoy or that don't suit your event's character. You feel confident making substantial financial commitments to catering. You build relationships with our culinary team, creating stronger partnerships for event execution.

Many clients find tasting investment negligible compared to overall event budgets, yet the value—confidence, personalization, and refined selections—is immeasurable. You can often apply tasting fees toward your final catering bill, reducing overall costs while gaining invaluable preview experiences.

The Role of Tastings in Comprehensive Event Planning

Cocktail and appetizers tastings anchor Susan's Kitchen Catering's comprehensive event planning approach. Beyond food sampling, tastings provide opportunities to discuss event staff catering needs, service logistics, timing, setup requirements, and any special requests. You can discuss whether you'd like passed hors d'oeuvres service, stationary platters positioned throughout venues, or themed catering and action stations providing interactive entertainment.

During tastings, you can explore how appetizers coordinate with beverage service, how desserts catering selections create satisfying conclusions, and how entire events flow from cocktail hour through final goodbyes. This comprehensive perspective ensures every element—food, beverages, service, presentation—works harmoniously toward your event's success.

Common Tasting Questions and Guidance

Can I bring guests or family members to tastings? Absolutely. Group tastings where you bring decision-makers ensure alignment among all stakeholders. Spouses, family members, colleagues, or wedding planners can attend, providing diverse perspectives and preventing post-tasting disagreements about selections.

What if I don't like something during tasting? Honesty is welcome. If something doesn't resonate, tell us immediately. Our culinary team will discuss why you're not connecting with it, suggest alternatives, or create entirely different options. Tastings exist to identify preferences, not to commit to items you're uncertain about.

Can I request specific items not on standard menus? Yes. If you have specific dietary needs, cultural preferences, or creative visions, discuss these during tasting scheduling. Our team will prepare appropriate samples or discuss feasibility and options. Tastings accommodate custom requests beautifully.

How does tasting relate to final menu pricing? Tasting experiences involve modest costs, often creditable toward your final catering bill. The appetizers and beverages you sample become part of your confirmed menu, so tasting components count toward your final order, not as additional expenses.

Planning Your Event With Confidence

Susan's Kitchen Catering's Cocktail and Appetizers Tasting service transforms catering decisions from uncertain guesses into confident selections. You experience your proposed menu, provide meaningful feedback, and refine selections until they perfectly reflect your vision. You leave tastings knowing exactly what your guests will enjoy, how items will be presented, and how your entire event will flow seamlessly from appetizers through desserts.

This personalized, collaborative approach distinguishes Susan's Kitchen Catering's catering partnerships. We're not simply vendors delivering food—we're culinary collaborators invested in creating events that exceed your expectations and delight your guests. Tasting experiences are our opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to quality, our respect for your vision, and our genuine desire to create memorable celebrations.

Ready to experience your perfect event menu before finalizing your catering? Contact Susan's Kitchen Catering and Events today to schedule your personalized Cocktail and Appetizers Tasting. Let us help you build an event where every culinary detail reflects your preferences, excites your guests, and creates lasting memories. Your exceptional celebration starts with confident menu selections—we're here to ensure you have exactly that.