canapés
Fancy finger food
Canapés are small, decorative appetizers consisting of a base—typically a cracker, toast point, or small piece of bread—topped with savory ingredients like cheese, smoked fish, or pâté.
They're designed to be eaten in one or two bites, usually passed on trays at cocktail parties and receptions: The caterers circulated with trays of canapés.
Small savory pre-meal bites
- finger foodUtensil-free small bites
- startersThings that initiate
- nibblesTakes small bites
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
tapas · mezze · antipasto · bruschetta · crostini · blini · vol-au-vent · tartlet
Triangular toasted bread slices
- crackersCrispy flat biscuits
- baguetteElongated crusty loaf
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- bliniSlavic buckwheat cakes
puff pastry · phyllo · brioche · pumpernickel · rye bread · crouton · flatbread · cucumber slice
Drinks-focused social gathering
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- soiréeFormal nighttime social gathering
- galaFestive formal occasion
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
champagne · celebration · catering · buffet · host · guests · mingling · black tie
Cured, preserved fish fillet
- cream cheeseSoft spreadable dairy product
- caviarCured fish eggs
- pâtéSeasoned meat paste
- mousseAiry whipped preparation
prosciutto · brie · goat cheese · tapenade · crab · shrimp · foie gras · gravlax
Decorative food topping
- platterLarge flat serving dish
- trayShallow portable platform
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- elegantGracefully refined, tasteful
dainty · miniature · bite-sized · decorative · silver service · tiered stand · artful · colorful
hors d'oeuvres
Small savory pre-meal bites
- finger foodUtensil-free small bites
- startersThings that initiate
- nibblesTakes small bites
amuse-bouche · tapas · mezze · antipasto · bruschetta · crostini · blini · vol-au-vent · tartlet · pinwheel
toast points
Triangular toasted bread slices
blini · puff pastry · phyllo · brioche · pumpernickel · rye bread · crouton · flatbread · cucumber slice
cocktail party
Drinks-focused social gathering
wedding · champagne · celebration · catering · buffet · host · guests · mingling · black tie · formal
smoked salmon
Cured, preserved fish fillet
- cream cheeseSoft spreadable dairy product
- caviarCured fish eggs
- pâtéSeasoned meat paste
mousse · prosciutto · brie · goat cheese · tapenade · crab · shrimp · foie gras · gravlax · roasted pepper
garnish
Decorative food topping
- platterLarge flat serving dish
- trayShallow portable platform
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
elegant · dainty · miniature · bite-sized · decorative · silver service · tiered stand · artful · colorful · symmetry
- garden partiesgarden party, lawn chairs, patio furniture, gazebo, gazebos
canapésmain course
Primary dish served
entrée · main dish · roast dinner · feast · roast
canapésfeast
Elaborate ceremonial meal
banquet · full plate · hearty meal · stew · casserole
canapésslop
Liquid food waste
bar snacks · chips and dip · pub grub · junk food · fast food