Practical finger foods

This article is available for reading in Trade magazin 2025/4.

Zoltán Kőrössy
co-owner
Eventrend

Nowadays, everything can be offered in trendy finger food sizes, says Zoltán Kőrössy, co-owner of the Eventrend Group, and it is important for these dishes to be representative of the place – based on the restaurant’s permanent offering as much as possible. Economical finger foods are no less delicious than those made with expensive ingredients, and very often they are vegetable-based. The look and taste make human creativity and expertise necessary.

Quality and efficiency

Rudolf Semsei
owner
Budapest Party Service

Rudolf Semsei, the owner of Budapest Party Service is of the opinion that preparing finger foods require a lot of work. For instance at an exclusive cocktail party flying service is a must: this is when waiters serve hot and cold snacks to guests on trays without interruption. In some cases efficiency can be increased by preparing convenience products such as stuffed jalapenos, chicken nuggets or even salmon blinis – the company always adapts to customer needs. In serving elaborately composed, single-serving solutions are popular.

Jenő Magyary
managing director
Gundel

Jenő Magyary, managing director of Gundel informs that their food selection is based on the iconic Hungarian dishes of Gundel National 11, but if the client wants international flavours, they can also provide them to a high standard. However, this poses quantity and labour challenges: if finger food is the only meal at an event, 5-7 portions will replace a full main meal. Finger food per se is not an economical form of catering, because of the lots of manual labour involved. Preparing quality finger food requires a proper kitchen background too.

The industry’s view

Pásztor Norbert
operatív igazgató
Marnevall

Norbert Pásztor, the chief operating officer of Marnevál opines that the finger food market is growing steadily and the company’s innovations contribute to this. The company believes its convenience products create value by saving families time, so they can spend more quality time together. Marnevál’s product selection includes a variety of easy-to-prepare products that meet the needs of both consumers and the hospitality industry, e.g. marinated and breaded chicken wings, shaped products such as pops, nuggets and strips. In 2024 they introduced Ripp-Ropp Gourmet Spicy Nuggets and Kentucky Style Chicken Breast Strips.

Szirbek András
kereskedelmi és
marketingigazgató
Bonduelle

We learn from András Szirbek, sales and marketing Director of Bonduelle Central Europe Kft. that it is an international trend – especially among young people – to eat snacks on the go or at work. Bonduelle is now launching a new product line called Croustis. This French name refers to the crunchy exterior with which these products are covered, while the soft interior is a combination of seasoned vegetables, pulses and cereals with a touch of melting cheese. //