Party Tray Ideas - GFS Party Planning

Party Tray Ideas
Build Your Own Party Trays
GFS Marketplace® offers all the restaurant-quality products you need to create enticing, delicious, and versatile party
trays. From tasty and distinctive sandwich cheese trays of zesty chicken wings, you’re sure to please every palate. We also
offer free meat and cheese slicing, making your tray preparation even easier. Talk to one of our friendly, helpful associates
today!
Basic Tips to Fold or Roll Meat
Begin with full slices of meats or cheeses.
They should be slightly thicker than “shaved.”
Include a variety of flavors and folds for the
most appeal.
Classic Roll
Start at one edge
and evenly roll to the
opposite edge.
Place roll on the tray
seam side down.
Single Fold
Meat & Cheese Tray
Meat Tray
• Sliced meats: two to three
varieties (roast beef, ham,
turkey, or luncheon meat)
• Sliced cheeses: one to two
varieties (Cheddar, Swiss,
co-Jack, jalapeño, or Muenster)
• Fresh curly parsley: one bunch
• Cherry tomato
• Large plastic round tray and lid
• Sliced meats: two to three
varieties (roast beef, ham, turkey,
or luncheon meat)
• Fresh kale: one bunch will
make two trays
• Cherry tomatoes: one pint
• Large plastic round tray and lid
You’ll need:
To assemble:
1. Loosely roll meats and arrange
around tray in fan fashion,
leaving an approximate 6"
circle in the center. Alternate
sections of meat with sections
of sliced cheeses.
2. Separate sections of meats and
cheeses with parsley.
3. Ruffle several slices of meat into
a flower shape, topped with a
single cherry tomato, and use as
a tray centerpiece.
4. Ring centerpiece with parsley
for an appealing garnish.
5. Cover with lid and refrigerate
until serving.
You’ll need:
To assemble:
1. Line outside of tray with kale.
2. Loosely roll meats and arrange
around tray in fan fashion,
leaving an approximate 6"
circle in the center.
3. For additional appeal, alternate
sections of meat by color.
4. Ruffle several slices of meat
into a flower shape, and use
as a tray centerpiece.
5. Ring centerpiece with
cherry tomatoes for an
appealing garnish.
6. Cover with lid and refrigerate
until serving.
Fold slice in half
matching edges
up evenly.
“S” Fold
Loosely fold into thirds,
folding middle third left
and top third right. This
“accordion” style fold
forms an “S” shape.
Ruffle Fold
Make an “S” fold and
then fold in half
crosswise.
Garnish Your Tray with Greens
Kale
Use this richly colored, attractive green to
decorate the edges of your party trays. Cut
off bottom stalks and use only the ruffled
edges. Soak in ice water for three minutes
and drain well before placing on tray.
Leaf Lettuce
Leaf lettuce can range in color from medium to
dark green, and some varieties have red-tipped
leaves. Do not soak, but spray gently with cold
water. Cut stems to lay flat.
Chicken Wing Tray
You’ll need:
• Precooked chicken wings: three to
four varieties (Wings of Fire, Chile
Lime Wings, Buffalo Wings, Wing
Zings, etc.)
• Dipping sauces and ramekins
(small dish): two to three varieties
(barbecue sauce, ranch dressing,
Buffalo sauce, honey mustard, etc.)
• Fresh kale: one bunch will make
two trays
• Large plastic round tray and lid
To assemble:
1. Line outside and center of tray
with kale.
2. Place 2–3 ramekins of dipping
sauces on kale in center
of tray.
3. Cover with lid and refrigerate
until ready to serve.
To serve:
1. Remove tray from refrigerator
and remove lid.
2. Heat wings according to
package directions.
3. Arrange prepared wings
on tray in wedge shapes,
alternating varieties.
4. Serve immediately.
Gourmet Cheese and
Cracker Tray
Parsley
Bright green curly parsley is available yearround, and is perfect for filling or covering
small areas. After washing parsley, shake off the
excess water and trim off stalks before use.
You’ll need:
• Cubed cheeses: three to four
varieties (Cheddar, Swiss,
mozzarella, co-Jack, jalapeño,
or Muenster)
• Crackers: three to four varieties
(wheat, water, sesame,
buttercrisp, etc.)
• Large orange: cut in half, peel on
• Fresh strawberries: one quart
• Toothpicks
• Large plastic round tray and lid
To assemble:
1. To create an appealing centerpiece,
place orange, sliced side down, in
center of tray. Break toothpicks in
half and insert halfway into orange.
Place a strawberry on each pick
until orange is covered.
2. Alternate cheese cubes and
crackers on tray in wedge shapes,
filling tray.
3. Cover with lid and refrigerate until
ready to serve.
Ready-to-Serve Party Trays
GFS Marketplace also offers a number of ready-to-serve party trays,
including veggie trays and shrimp cocktail rings. Ask an associate today!