Thinking Outside the Box — and In It

For the opening of a storage products store in St. Louis, Butler’s Pantry was asked to create buffets from the client’s products, everything from glass storage containers to file holders. Although the items used aren’t typically part of a buffet or station, Cassie Burd, vice president of sales and catering, says, “It helped us think outside the box, if you will, in how we presented the food.”

1 - Color and food were linked throughout the event. Earth tones displayed beef sandwiches and mini potatoes; candy-colored items were used to display desserts; clear glassware was used at the soup station.

2 - Consumer office and storage items, including CD holders (the napkins) and file holders, were put to new uses. Although it was because of the client at this event, experimenting with unusual items, or with typical items used in unexpected ways, can add excitement to an event.

3 - At the Texas Beef Station, sliders and open-face brisket sandwiches reflected the client’s home office.

Photos by Signature Studio

BONUS MATERIAL - only available online

Menu for Butler’s Pantry Themed Event
Butler’s Pantry in St. Louis put together an unusual event, using products found in the client’s retail stores. For the Texas Beef Station (earth tones and brown), the menu was:

Duet of Texas Beef
Wood-Charred Bistro Tenderloin on a Petite Soft Poppyseed Roll
Slow-Smoked Sliced Brisket atop Texas Toast with Spicy Black Beans

New Potato Basket with Bacon  Chive Mousseline

RESOURCES
Looking for similar products?

Wooden trays and boxes
LBP  www.lbpmfg.com 
CCS Creative  www.ccscreative.com

Carts and shelving
FWE  www.fwe.com/queen-mary
SHOPcraft  www.shopcraftracks.com
Prairie View Industries Food Service  www.pvifs.com
Focus Foodservice  www.focusfoodservice.com

Paper liners and napkins
Hoffmaster  www.hoffmaster.com

Catersource magazine
July/August 2011