When a networking event invitation says "full-belly appetizers,"

[eyesroll]

and ignoring the cutesy wording, what sort of spread do you expect?

The event was at 5:30 p.m. (with a presentation from 6:30 until 8), at an upscale theater, cash bar, and was geared toward professionals age 21-40 (or so). Standing tables only.

[The empressof all]

1. I honestly don't have a clue

So they mean that you should come with a full belly because what they will have out will barely fill a small cavity in your back molar.

Or do they mean they are putting on a glorious spread of small bites that will not only satiate the muchies but will fill your belly to the point you'll need to lighten up a knotch on the belt.

:shrug:

[hippywife]

2. I never thought of that.

I was guessing but it's obvious that it could go either way. My MIL calls the #2 option heavy appetizers.

[eyesroll]

3. The rest of the marketing copy made it seem like the food would be ample.

That's about it, though.

[pengillian101]

4. I'm curious too, because of the time frame.

I would think most attendees work until 5. Event starts at 5:30 and runs until 8. Those appetizers better be considered supper food in my mind if people are there until 8 (thoughts from a prior event planner).

:-)

[eyesroll]

5. And, what really happened:

I was expecting Option 2--nothing fancy, but definitely substantial food. This has been my experience in the "heavy appetizer" category (which is what I assumed "full belly" to be, given the rest of the marketing language). Sometimes, you get Option 1, but that's rare and lucky when it does occur.

What I got was Option 3--all very messy stuff that was difficult to eat while standing up. And *everything* except the swedish meatballs was cheese-based. And no fruit or non-cheese-laden vegetable anywhere. Why? (This is Wisconsin, but even so.)

I didn't pay for this (I was working with one of the featured nonprofits so I got in for free), so I can't complain, but still.

A glass of middling wine was $7, BTW, and a soda was $2.

[Tektonik]

6. Sounds awful

:(

[eyesroll]

7. Well, again, it was free, so there was that.

The sculpted port wine cheese food was amusing, in an "oh come on, you've got to be kidding" way. :D

The food itself was certainly edible--my main complaint with the food itself was that it was really impossible to eat neatly. Stand-up networking reception food shouldn't be so dependent on dips and goopy cheese and sauces. (Again, nothing was self-contained--everything had a dip or was a dip except the meatballs, and that had a drippy sauce.)

And here's a PSA to caterers everywhere: Small metal ice tongs make lousy tortilla chip serving utensils.