Need help wth munchies for Chamber networking event

We've been on the waiting list for hosting the monthly Chamber of Commerce networking events for quite awhile. We finally got scheduled for March 19th. They are very well attended and we're excited to open our doors to everyone. And I'll be mailing personal invitations to all the realtors since we get alot of house-hunters staying with us.
I need to have munchies/finger-foods for the crowds. There are no rules, except no alcohol. So, I thought it best to keep it breakfast & sweets themed though it's from 5:30-8pm. I want to offer things that we actually make here for our guests.
Here are some ideas I'm considering - what do you recommend?

• Crepes, misc fillings, cut to 2" pieces. (I only know sweet fillings)
• Mini fruit muffins
• Home-made cookies, various types
• mini egg casseroles (muffin-tin size)
• Chocolate cake sandwich cookies
• French toast sticks
• Fruit salad
• Hot apple cider (apple orchard is a big deal here)
• Coffee & Tea bar
• We're getting some chocolates donated by one of the downtown businesses

Most of this can be done ahead of time & served room temp. My main concern is that I don't really have any buffet equipment for warming food. And I'm hosting so I don't want to be in the kitchen most of the night. I will have some people to help me, but I'd rather do most of it myself (being the control freak that I am)

You might consider the Jello and yogurt "jigglers" that we talked about last year.
https://www.innspiring.com/node/10991

Homemade biscotti to go with the chocolate and coffee - I make the spice version straight from the C ook's I llustrated recipe (I'd post it but they will hunt you down if you do). When I do it for a crowd I make the pieces smaller and you can get 4 or 5 dozen from a batch.
If apples are a big deal, there is an apple soup recipe on the recipe page here - you could do little shooters of it, garnished with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and nutmeg sprinkle.
Devilled eggs with bacon bits on top - bacon and eggs
Sausage balls. I had never heard of them before I moved here but someone suggested I make them for an open house we had and they were a huge hit. There's a P aula D een recipe, although I can't remember if that's what I used.

If you want to make sure you have something that is GF you can try making the apricot coconut balls which are extremely simply and GF. Or coconut macaroons.

Or you can make is cheese, crackers and fruit (this is one we serve to guests) so it is a B&B item

Is it a whole spread or just a couple items to enjoy?
Here is what I always do for the best bang for my buck and presentation (you can use whatever fruit is in season that won't brown). I say avoid fruit salad as that can be small without the presentation factor. This is an oversized platter, prob 24 inches across.

Mini quiches, made in a mini muffin tin. They can be served and eaten cold unless you have a warmer you'll be using. Mini everything. Is this a sit down or a wander around kind of thing? If wander around, then definitely mini and nothing with a sauce or that needs a fork and nothing that will splurt out all over a suit or blouse when someone takes a bite.
Bacon-cheddar pinwheels. Mini apple turnovers (there's not really enough apple in there to splurt). Maple-bacon muffins (a bit on the sweet side, you can adjust the sweetness if need be.) Baked brie with apples and walnuts, served on crostini.
JB's sliced fruit idea is excellent.

5:30 to 8 is dinnertime so I would focus more on hearty foods and less on sweets. Mini-quiche, calzones, and fruit/cheese platters are always nice.

Joey Bloggs said:

Or you can make is cheese, crackers and fruit (this is one we serve to guests) so it is a B&B item

.

Click to expand...

Cheese & crackers - good idea! I like this presentation with the starfruit and the pineapple w/rinds on.

Innkeep said:

You might consider the Jello and yogurt "jigglers" that we talked about last year.
https://www.innspiring.com/node/10991.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reminder of this recipe! When it was going around I thought it would be a great idea. I could make that the day before - perfect

muirford said:

Homemade biscotti to go with the chocolate and coffee - I make the spice version straight from the C ook's I llustrated recipe (I'd post it but they will hunt you down if you do). When I do it for a crowd I make the pieces smaller and you can get 4 or 5 dozen from a batch.
If apples are a big deal, there is an apple soup recipe on the recipe page here - you could do little shooters of it, garnished with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and nutmeg sprinkle.
Devilled eggs with bacon bits on top - bacon and eggs
Sausage balls. I had never heard of them before I moved here but someone suggested I make them for an open house we had and they were a huge hit. There's a P aula D een recipe, although I can't remember if that's what I used..

Click to expand...

Deviled bacon & eggs - Love It!
The apple soup would be a nice idea. I have shooter cups already and it can be made the day before.

Eric Arthur Blair said:

If you want to make sure you have something that is GF you can try making the apricot coconut balls which are extremely simply and GF. Or coconut macaroons..

Click to expand...

I do have some gluten-free friends, so I appreciate the reminder to include them in my planning!

muirford said:

Homemade biscotti to go with the chocolate and coffee - I make the spice version straight from the C ook's I llustrated recipe (I'd post it but they will hunt you down if you do). When I do it for a crowd I make the pieces smaller and you can get 4 or 5 dozen from a batch.
If apples are a big deal, there is an apple soup recipe on the recipe page here - you could do little shooters of it, garnished with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and nutmeg sprinkle.
Devilled eggs with bacon bits on top - bacon and eggs
Sausage balls. I had never heard of them before I moved here but someone suggested I make them for an open house we had and they were a huge hit. There's a P aula D een recipe, although I can't remember if that's what I used..

Click to expand...

I have a CI membership, so I'll look up that recipe. Never made biscotti before - do you have any tips you can pass my way?

It's a networking event, so everyone will be noshing, wandering, talking. Easy, mess free, finger foods are the plan.
I have a little scavenger hunt/trivia game that I put together last year for a ladies group that we hosted. I might do that too because they have to check out all the rooms to find the answers. I had good feedback on it. Everyone with all the right answers went into a prize drawing.
Thanks for all the GREAT ideas! I feel better about this now knowing I can make a great spread all in-house.

K9 said:

muirford said:

Homemade biscotti to go with the chocolate and coffee - I make the spice version straight from the C ook's I llustrated recipe (I'd post it but they will hunt you down if you do). When I do it for a crowd I make the pieces smaller and you can get 4 or 5 dozen from a batch.
If apples are a big deal, there is an apple soup recipe on the recipe page here - you could do little shooters of it, garnished with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and nutmeg sprinkle.
Devilled eggs with bacon bits on top - bacon and eggs
Sausage balls. I had never heard of them before I moved here but someone suggested I make them for an open house we had and they were a huge hit. There's a P aula D een recipe, although I can't remember if that's what I used..

Click to expand...

I have a CI membership, so I'll look up that recipe. Never made biscotti before - do you have any tips you can pass my way?
.

Click to expand...

K9 said:

I have a CI membership, so I'll look up that recipe. Never made biscotti before - do you have any tips you can pass my way?

Click to expand...

If you use their recipe, I think it calls for making two logs for the first baking - I always make three and the biscotti are plenty big. If I'm doing for a crowd, make 4 logs to make the individual biscotti more bite-size. Use a cookie rack for the second baking in the oven - saves you from having to turn them over in the middle.

K9 said:

It's a networking event, so everyone will be noshing, wandering, talking. Easy, mess free, finger foods are the plan.
I have a little scavenger hunt/trivia game that I put together last year for a ladies group that we hosted. I might do that too because they have to check out all the rooms to find the answers. I had good feedback on it. Everyone with all the right answers went into a prize drawing.
Thanks for all the GREAT ideas! I feel better about this now knowing I can make a great spread all in-house..

Click to expand...

We did a scavenger hunt/trivia game with our cottages when we hosted our Chamber networking event last spring. The people who participated in the hunt (not everyone did) had a lot of fun checking out each of the cottages and trying to figure out the answers to questions we asked about each one. We had an additional door prize drawing just for those who participated in the hunt (they didn't have to have the right answers, they just had to have taken the tour ;-)
Overall it was a fun event.

muirford said:

K9 said:

muirford said:

Homemade biscotti to go with the chocolate and coffee - I make the spice version straight from the C ook's I llustrated recipe (I'd post it but they will hunt you down if you do). When I do it for a crowd I make the pieces smaller and you can get 4 or 5 dozen from a batch.
If apples are a big deal, there is an apple soup recipe on the recipe page here - you could do little shooters of it, garnished with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and nutmeg sprinkle.
Devilled eggs with bacon bits on top - bacon and eggs
Sausage balls. I had never heard of them before I moved here but someone suggested I make them for an open house we had and they were a huge hit. There's a P aula D een recipe, although I can't remember if that's what I used..

Click to expand...

I have a CI membership, so I'll look up that recipe. Never made biscotti before - do you have any tips you can pass my way?
.

Click to expand...

K9 said:

I have a CI membership, so I'll look up that recipe. Never made biscotti before - do you have any tips you can pass my way?

Click to expand...

If you use their recipe, I think it calls for making two logs for the first baking - I always make three and the biscotti are plenty big. If I'm doing for a crowd, make 4 logs to make the individual biscotti more bite-size. Use a cookie rack for the second baking in the oven - saves you from having to turn them over in the middle.
.

Click to expand...

I knew you'd have some good tips! I've never made biscotti. How long do they keep? Could I make them 2-3 days in advance?

Joey Bloggs said:

Is it a whole spread or just a couple items to enjoy?
Here is what I always do for the best bang for my buck and presentation (you can use whatever fruit is in season that won't brown). I say avoid fruit salad as that can be small without the presentation factor. This is an oversized platter, prob 24 inches across.

.

Click to expand...

You're right, fruit salad can be boring. This presentation is very colorful & attractive!

K9 said:

muirford said:

K9 said:

muirford said:

Homemade biscotti to go with the chocolate and coffee - I make the spice version straight from the C ook's I llustrated recipe (I'd post it but they will hunt you down if you do). When I do it for a crowd I make the pieces smaller and you can get 4 or 5 dozen from a batch.
If apples are a big deal, there is an apple soup recipe on the recipe page here - you could do little shooters of it, garnished with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and nutmeg sprinkle.
Devilled eggs with bacon bits on top - bacon and eggs
Sausage balls. I had never heard of them before I moved here but someone suggested I make them for an open house we had and they were a huge hit. There's a P aula D een recipe, although I can't remember if that's what I used..

Click to expand...

I have a CI membership, so I'll look up that recipe. Never made biscotti before - do you have any tips you can pass my way?
.

Click to expand...

K9 said:

I have a CI membership, so I'll look up that recipe. Never made biscotti before - do you have any tips you can pass my way?

Click to expand...

If you use their recipe, I think it calls for making two logs for the first baking - I always make three and the biscotti are plenty big. If I'm doing for a crowd, make 4 logs to make the individual biscotti more bite-size. Use a cookie rack for the second baking in the oven - saves you from having to turn them over in the middle.
.

Click to expand...

I knew you'd have some good tips! I've never made biscotti. How long do they keep? Could I make them 2-3 days in advance?
.

Click to expand...

K9 said:

I knew you'd have some good tips! I've never made biscotti. How long do they keep? Could I make them 2-3 days in advance?

Click to expand...

Oh my, yes. They keep for weeks in a ziplock bag. I'm not sure what the real shelf life is as I'm usually making them every two to three weeks. The recipe will look daunting - i use the spice version with currants - but it's not too bad. The dough will be rather stiff but once you roll out the logs it's just a matter of waiting out the cooking timer.

K9 said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Is it a whole spread or just a couple items to enjoy?
Here is what I always do for the best bang for my buck and presentation (you can use whatever fruit is in season that won't brown). I say avoid fruit salad as that can be small without the presentation factor. This is an oversized platter, prob 24 inches across.

.

Click to expand...

You're right, fruit salad can be boring. This presentation is very colorful & attractive!
.

Click to expand...

K9 said:

You're right, fruit salad can be boring. This presentation is very colorful & attractive!

Click to expand...

I was at kroger and found star fruit, large healthy beautiful for $1 a piece today! Twice as large as they normally are, so I can get alot out of it! I never know if I will find them, or what I will find. I also got a pineapple that is easy to make go the distance this weekend.