Discover some handy tips for organising your own grazing table catering
If you’ve been to a wedding or black tie event recently then chances are you’ve encountered grazing table catering. Grazing tables are a new and growing trend in the Melbourne food catering industry.
In true Melbourne style, grazing table catering takes the idea of a grazing board or platter and deconstructs it. Do away with your fine timber boards and white crockery. Now the entire table is a canvas for presenting your favourite grazing food!
A grazing table is one of the most visually appetising displays you can assemble for a catering event. It gives you the opportunity to create a food spread that’s filled with fresh produce. In essence, grazing table catering should be about creating a feast for the eyes, not just for the stomach.
Ready to book a grazing table spread for your next event? Ask the catering experts from Devour It Catering.
Presentation tips
To become a grazing table pro, there are some basic elements of presentation you’ll need to master. These elements include the structure of food items, the colours you’ll be incorporating, and the props you’ll be using.
One of the first things to consider for your presentation is the height of your food items. Height can help make your spread look more three-dimensional while making certain items stand out from the rest. For a more rustic approach, steer clear of symmetry. Consider scattering natural-looking props, such as tall wood slabs, around your table to elevate certain foods. There’s also no need to mirror the setup of these props like you would with candelabras on opposite ends of a table.
You’ll find grazing table setups often feature neutral-coloured serving ware, such as weathered timber tables, stoneware dishes, and marble utensils. Neutral colours include beige, taupe, ivory, grey, and different shades of black and white. You may also find that many of your food selections—such as aged cheeses, artisan breads, crackers, and cured meats—come in neutral colours. To break up these neutral tones, try adding more brightly-coloured foods and props to your spread. From seasonal fruits like grapes and figs to vibrant flowers, there are loads of options for making your spread more colourful.
Food selection
When it comes to the food you select, variety is key! Try to mix things up as much as you can with different tastes and textures. Preserved foods such as your cured meats are often high in salt—make sure there’s plenty of sweet alternatives like fruit to counteract your selection of meats.
Dry foods like crackers, dried fruits, and nuts make fantastic additions to any grazing table catering setup. Just make sure you have plenty of fresh alternatives with a high moisture content. Fresh dips, like hummus and guacamole, are full of moisture and flavour. A fresh bruschetta mix or tabbouleh salad won’t go awry either.
No grazing table is complete without a selection of cheeses. Soft cheeses like brie and Camembert are perfect for any spread. Their creamy tastes and textures make them ideal accompaniments to ingredients like cured meats and dried apricots. Lighter cheeses like bocconcini pair well with fresh ingredients like basil, cherry tomatoes, and watermelon.
Choose Devour It for your event’s grazing table catering
Sometimes a great food spread is best left to the catering professionals. Devour It Catering can prepare and assemble a grazing table for you. Our catering specialists have received loads of customer requests for grazing table catering in Melbourne.
Devour It’s food catering experts are up to the task of creating a stunning grazing table catering spread. Our catering team can source a superb range of quality cheeses, fresh fruits, and artisan breads to make your grazing table Insta-worthy. So the next time you’re hosting an event, rely on the team at Devour It Catering for a beautiful spread.
Get a professional catering service to assemble your grazing table spread, ask Devour It Catering today.
