1. Hiran Ka Shikaar Papad & Chutney, Cinnamon Kitchen
Four-time winners of the SquareMeal Canapé Cup, Cinnamon Kitchen is always a strong contender for producing the best. Its latest creation comes out on top for its marriage of classic game flavours and Keralan spices. The duo of venison comprises clove-smoked loin of venison and Kerala toddy shop pickle, served on a beetroot and tapioca crisp with yoghurt and mint chutney. Presented on an elegant black slate, this canapé looks as good as it tastes.
2. Smoked Chicken & Fig, Top Hat Catering
Take inspiration from this crispy chicken skin wafer from Top Hat Catering that’s sure to be a real crowd-pleaser. Served alongside a smoky chicken liver parfait, it’s accompanied by lightly poached figs that have been seeped in sauternes and sautéed until smooth. The final flourish is a delicate, edible flower petal. Delicious.
3. English Breakfast Bite,
You’ll never disappoint a British audience with a well-cooked traditional breakfast, no matter the time of day. Searcys’ tasty twist on the concept is a marvel in miniature. It teams a base of toasted brioche, topped with Cumberland sausage and mushroom crisp, finished with tomato jam, egg purée, and a single homemade baked bean. And of course they couldn’t forget the bacon, which is served as a crispy crumb.
4. Duck in a Rush, Eden Caterers
Canapés should be fun, and this little poppet provides it in spades – a smile on a stick. The canapé pop features sugar-dipped hazelnuts, kumquat and a smooth duck and blackberry parfait, with a hint of Maldon salt. Despite the novelty, it’s a serious piece of construction as Eden has to build a solid little platform to hold the soft duck mousse. We particularly like the contrast of textures.
5. Back to Rio, Boulevard Events
What better to way to remember the success of our Olympians at the 2016 Rio de Janiero Games than in a pork and beans based canapé? Boulevard Events stepped up to the plate last year with its take on a traditional Portuguese feijoada with black beans and pork. The exquisite smokiness is still real hit for us this summer.
6. A Celebration of Salmon, Berkeley Catering
Berkeley’s fish three ways is a fresh and tasty take on a canapé mainstay. Poached, smoked and gravalaxed salmon is finished with lime and wasabi liquor, topped with Avruga caviar, and combined with a blanched slice of leek for an oniony hit
7. Royal Spiced Guinea Fowl with Beetroot Shots & Herby Nanza, Darbaar
This is another traditional game dish with an Indian twist. Marinated guinea fowl is smoked with Rajasthan spices and grilled, before being placed on an herby nanza bread base. The accompanying curried beetroot and whipped yoghurt shot cools things down nicely, but is perhaps a little fiddly.
8. The Black Pearl, Ginger Jar Food
A thing of beauty, this delicate offering looks and tastes great. The combination of rainbow trout, black rice, lime pearls, yuzu, orange and star anise powder delivers classic Asian flavours along with crunchy and soft textures.
9. Maille Mustard Macaron, La Maison Maille with
Coq d’Argent
Chef Damien Rigollet has devised these savoury macarons featuring various mustards – honey, Dijon and wholegrain. The mustard brings out the sweetness of the other flavours nicely.
10. Chocolate Cake, Smith & Wollensky
You can’t go wrong with chocolate cake. This layered treat filled with dark chocolate mousse, brushed with Baileys and covered in a chocolate ganache certainly hits the spot.
Now it's time to find the perfect venue to serve your canapés in. Discover our favourites for summer parties here.