The short answer
Choose canapés when there's a meal to follow, or for a short drinks reception. Choose bowl food when the reception is the meal and you want guests to leave full. For longer events, start with canapés and follow with bowl food.
At a glance
| Canapés | Bowl food | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | One or two bites | A small meal in a bowl |
| How filling | Light | Substantial |
| Price | £16.00 per person plus VAT for four pieces | £9.00–£10.50 per bowl plus VAT |
| Best for | Before a meal, short receptions | Receptions that replace a meal |
| Eating | One hand, while standing | A fork, ideally somewhere to rest |
How filling are they?
Canapés are designed to take the edge off before a meal. Bowl food is a real meal in small portions: slow-braised beef with mash, tandoori chicken with saffron rice, or garlic and chilli king prawns. Two bowls per guest is a lighter meal, three is substantial.
Cost
Four canapés per guest are £16.00 per person plus VAT. Bowl food is priced per bowl, so two or three bowls cost more per guest but replace a meal.
Service
Canapés are carried round by staff and eaten in a bite. Bowl food is also served by staff, but guests need a fork, so somewhere to put down a glass helps.
Use both
For a long evening, serve canapés as guests arrive and bring out bowl food an hour later. It feels generous without being a formal dinner.
