Good Eats in Small Packages

Miniature food items are a fun and delectable trend with limitless options.  Their presentation is especially striking and can even be coordinated with an eco-friendly slant.

For a recent event we hosted, we gave the plain old potato a fun twist by incorporating a gourmet potato bar.   Guests used double-lined bamboo cones to cradle the spuds away from the heat and used miniature forks to dig in to a delicious assortment of toppings.  It was a really unconventional idea that sparked a lot of conversation.

These days, there is no shortage of companies producing all kinds of products from tableware to décor made out of bamboo, an environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic plates and cutlery.  Most people tend to think of bamboo’s natural tan color, but the material actually provides a wide array of looks, including these colorful bowls.  They would make a lively choice for sauces, holding utensils, or salads.

Another stylish trend that has been gaining popularity is the presentation of  bite-sized appetizers on traditional Asian spoons. These have been around for years in restaurants and are now available in disposable materials, too.  One of our favorite ways to use them is as a vessel for seared bay scallops with a poblano beurre blanc drizzle that you can simply pick up and eat–one bite perfection!

These are only two of hundreds of mini-wares to spice up your food presentation. Even a simple cheese board can become a vision if you deconstruct the presentation and pair individual cheese trios with a fresh grape garnish passed in small cups.

There are many websites that you can search for products that will fit into your budget and vision.  Here are a couple of sites to get you started, beginning with Sweet Flavor, which specializes in distinctive disposable cutlery:

Check out this selection of goods from re:modern‘s sustainable living collection:

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