Beyond the Ordinary: 9 Imaginative Courses to Wow Guests at Your Next Corporate Event

Food is a must at corporate events, but the bruschetta, stuffed chicken and cake can seem stale after several gatherings. Trying out new courses can make your next event memorable and inspire creativity your guests will carry home.

Here are nine imaginative courses to amaze your team at your next corporate event.

1. Miniature Tacos

Who doesn’t love a good taco? Add some fun to your events by surprising your guests with miniature versions of this classic.

Fill them with pulled pork, fish, or duck confit with salsa and vegetables. You can overstuff them on small plates to make a fork-friendly dish or fill them just enough so guests can pick off a tray as they move around. The tiny shells are handheld and flavor-packed, making them a sure hit for mingling.

The cost of these little beauties depends on what you put inside them. Pork costs around $6 per pound, while duck costs about half as much. The average price of ground beef is around $4 per pound. You can purchase miniature shells or pay for tortillas you can cut into miniature versions.

2. Cranberry and Onion

Cranberries and onions go surprisingly well together with proper preparation. You can caramelize the onions and apply them on a cracker or tostada with cranberry cream cheese. They also work well blended in a jam or compote.

The sweet caramelization of the onions works well to take the edge off the cranberries’ tartness, creating a light and savory flavor. Cranberries typically cost between $5 and $14 per kilogram, while onions cost around $1.50 per pound.

3. Pastry Cups 

Puff pastry isn’t just for desserts — you can turn it into flaky and savory cups for your favorite fillings. Create deconstructed spinach puffs or add meat, veggies, and potatoes for a shepherd’s-pie-inspired dish. You could even go sweet by adding peaches or strawberries with cream to your pastry cups.

Using muffin molds gives the pastry its cup-like shape, keeping the fillings securely inside. You can purchase puff pastry for under 50 cents per ounce. Since the inside is up to your choosing, you can go as inexpensive or expensive as you and your guests desire. Serve these cups warm to get the full effect of the flaky pastry with the delicious filling inside.

4. Eggplant 

Eggplant is incredibly versatile, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that works like a sponge to absorb whatever flavors you add to it. Though it gets used as a base, it has a mild bite that pairs well with the sweet and savory flavors of tomato sauces.

It’s perfect for pasta dishes but is also excellent stuffed with meat, vegetables and cheese. The best part is that eggplants can only cost a few cents to a few dollars per vegetable.

5. Haddock

If you want to get adventurous with fish, ditch the glazed salmon and baked cod, and consider a haddock dish. This fish is nice and tender while still holding its shape. It’s a mild and versatile option that compliments many different glazes and side dishes. 

Enjoy it off the grill with various seasonings or out of the oven. You can also get it as a smooth and rich New-England-style chowder. Haddock is both delicious and high in protein, leaving your guests satisfied. Filets can run you around $25, where chowder costs around $15. 

6. Lamb 

Beef is a staple at many corporate events, but you can make yours stand out by offering lamb. Lamb has a gamier taste than beef and is incredibly moist and tender.

It’s commonly pan-seared, roasted, grilled, or smoked with herbs and spices. Enjoy it as a chop, in burgers, curry, biryani and shepherd’s pie. It’s a healthy meat considered one of the most ethically raised. However, it is pricier, with an average cost of $10–$15 per pound.

7. Panna Cotta 

This Italian dessert is sure to please at the end of a meal. It’s a cream combined with sugar and gelatin to create a light, sweet custard.

You can mold the panna cotta in various shapes and sizes, making it easily customizable for your event. Aromatize it with vanilla or coffee, and top it with fruit to enhance the experience. Serve it in stemmed glasses for an upscale feel or mold it in the shape of your logo for a memorable occasion.

A plus of this dessert is it’s gluten free and easily adaptable, eliminating the need for a second option. It’s relatively easy to make, with many professional bakeries charging under $10 for a serving.

8. Pavlova

This cloud-like dessert is not a cake or pie but looks like a hybrid of both. It’s baked meringue with a crispy outer layer followed by a light and fluffy inside. Traditionally topped with fruit, it’s mild enough that almost any sweet topping will do.

In its countries of origin — Australia and New Zealand — fruit is often arranged as a colorful collage you can top with herbs and flowers if you want to get fancy. Since the primary ingredient of pavlova is egg whites, the price of eggs will determine how much it costs you.

9. Bread Pudding 

For a dessert that started as a way to use leftovers, bread pudding is a popular choice for many famous restaurants. As the name suggests, the primary ingredient is stale bread. Bakers combine it with milk, cream and eggs to create a gooey, savory dish.

Cinnamon, vanilla and salt amp up the flavors, while dried fruit and nuts can add a little crunch. You can also make a sauce to pour over the pudding, with vanilla, caramel and bourbon recipes among the most popular.

Making this pudding with thick bread like a baguette or brioche is best. The cost depends on where you get your loaves. However, an experienced caterer will likely have access to bakeries that can provide stale bread at a discount.

Getting Creative for Your Next Corporate Event 

It’s easy to fall into the trap of having the same menu for all your events, but getting imaginative with your courses can motivate your guests to come to the next gathering. These dishes provide a great start to making your next corporate event a success.