Confused about canapes? In this guide, we’ll tell you what you need to know about these delicious little wonders which are particularly popular for parties and entertaining, especially at this time of year!

Where Did Canapes Originate From?

Canapes are from France, of course, where the name was derived from the word for sofa for unknown reasons. They first began to appear in the mid-1800s and then found their way over to the UK some 200 years later. Since then they have become a favourite treat at all kinds of events and dinner parties, where there is huge room for creative interpretation of these finger food delights.

Why Are Canapes So Popular?

Hosting a fancy meeting with guests? Why not book canapes for your office lunch delivery from Crumbs Delivered and experience the absolute pleasure of these tasty morsels? These are little appetisers that can be served cold or hot before meals and eaten with the fingers. They are a supporting element of a meal rather than the meal itself, although increasingly they are served solo for events such as conferences or networking and meetings, where guests just need a little snack or pick-me-up.

How Many Canapes Do I Need?

There is no hard or fast rule for this, as it depends on the type of event you are hosting. For example, if you are a gallery or exhibition owner hosting an opening night, you might assume four to six per guest for the first hour. The event is short, so your guests will be in and out. But for events such as weddings, conferences and after-dinner events, you might start with four to six canapes for the first hour and then add two to four canapes per hour afterwards for each person. Six tend to be fine if the canapes are being served before a meal. For a lunch meeting that might last for three hours, you might order up to 12 per person. It’s always better to have too many than too few!

Which canapes will you serve at your next event to delight the guests?