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Hor d’Oeurves
Creative Foods
Presentation
Difference between
Appetizers and Hor d’Oeurves
The definitions of hor d’oeurves and
appetizers are often interchangeable,
however, there is a difference…
Hors d’Oeurves are the small, savory bites,
typically finger foods, served before a meal
usually in a buffet style or passed on trays by
waiters.
If preparing food for a cocktail party only, meaning that there will
not be a dinner to follow, you should typically prepare five to seven
different appetizers. Some of these foods should be more
substantial and filling if a meal is not served afterward.
As a general rule, figure two pieces per person for each of the
appetizers or hor d’oeurves that you will be serving.
If you are preparing food for a cocktail party, make sure that your
appetizers or hor d’oeurves are finger foods only. You do not want
to serve food that needs to be eaten with utensils, as that will
become difficult for your standing guests to eat. If your guest has
to put their plate down to cut the food, that would also not be
considered appropriate or polite.
General Rules for Appetizers
and Hor d’Oeurves
If you are serving appetizers and hor d’oeurves before a
meal, you may only want to offer one or two options.
However, if the appetizers or hor d’oeurves are the only
food option, then you may want to offer your guests a
variety of choices.