Where did you get your canapés from?
It’s the stuffy question of 2022’s party season as posh spots pop up around the city offering uber-luxe light bites, delivered to your door.
That’s right, it’s out with the home-made blinis and in with restaurant-quality bites as the status signifier this Christmas. They are the “‘little sibling’ alternative to full-on catering, without the minimum spend or number requirements,” says Caroline Hall, co-founder of Pocket Rocket, who are leading the trend with their offering of luxury boxed canapés.
That is not to say they are a bargain, however; they start at £240 plus delivery within the M25. But if it is efficiency, uniformity, and a guaranteed set of chuffed guests is what you are after, it might be time to consider the investment.
These come tried and tested...
Peardrop
For: Classics with a twist
Scrap sausage rolls for their star-power pulled pork pastries (these are, honestly, heavenly) and take fresh mackerel tartare on mini leaves. For a treat, they offer actual golden quails eggs with salmon mousse and caviar. Their options come in boxes of 40 bites for a (fairy hefty) £120, and have a minimum order of three in London only.
15 people, £295, peardroplondon.com
Pocket Rocket
For: The impossibly chic
These stacked boxes contain truly delicious treats (think: gold flaked roast beef and Lobster Bloody Mary doughnuts). Pocket Rocket, an offshoot of Rocket catering, are at the top end of the catering pricing tree, but come with trustworthy backing. They cater the Chanel shop parties and a host of high profile private clients. Having tried them, Team ES can confirm it is not a decision you’ll regret in the morning.
14-16 people, £440, pocketrocketfood.com
Bubble Food
For: The 0.01 per cent
The team of Michelin-trained chefs are the go-to for the most experimental: bubble fish and chips of edible newspaper, red tea pickled eggs, and port gummy bears. Technically they don’t do boxed orders, however do offer a custom service tailored to whatever you desire. These are the guys to call if there is no budget, and you want show-stopping extravagant bites on the table.
