Tag: candyfloss

Catering, Equipment, Event Planning

Quirky Catering For College Balls

15 March 2025
ENG9INE Burger In Front Of Firetruck

# Quirky Catering for College Balls

Imagine the scene: a grand college ball, filled with students dressed to the nines, twinkling fairy lights casting a warm glow, and the air buzzing with excitement. Now, throw in some unexpected, mouth-watering culinary delights that break away from the traditional banquet fare. Welcome to the world of quirky catering for college balls, where imagination knows no bounds and taste buds are tantalized with every bite.

The Rise of Street Food at College Balls

Gone are the days when college balls were synonymous with stuffy, sit-down dinners. Today, the trend is all about bringing a fresh, fun, and informal vibe to these events. Street food has taken the spotlight, offering a variety of options that are not only delicious but also cater to different tastes and dietary needs. The appeal of street food lies in its diversity, affordability, and the ability to create a lively atmosphere that encourages mingling and socializing.

Churros Time For Hire
Churros Time For Hire

Why Street Food?

Street food brings a dynamic and interactive element to college balls. It allows guests to wander from stall to stall, sampling a variety of dishes and engaging with vendors. This style of catering is perfect for college events where the focus is on fun, exploration, and community. Plus, it offers an opportunity to introduce attendees to unique flavors and cuisines they might not have tried before.

Unconventional Catering Ideas

To truly make an impression, consider incorporating quirky and unexpected elements into your catering plan. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Fusion Food Trucks

Why not combine different cuisines to create a fusion food experience? Think Korean tacos, sushi burritos, or Indian-inspired pizza. Fusion food trucks can bring a creative twist to traditional dishes, offering guests a memorable dining experience that stands out from the ordinary.

Dessert Delights

Dessert is often the highlight of any meal, so why not make it a showstopper? Serve up a selection of quirky, bite-sized treats like cronuts, edible cookie dough, or bubble waffles. You could even have a dessert food truck offering freshly made churros, ice cream sandwiches, or gourmet doughnuts.

Themed Catering for a Cohesive Experience

To elevate the event, consider aligning your catering choices with a specific theme. Themed catering not only enhances the visual appeal but also creates a more immersive experience for attendees.

Vintage Carnival Theme

Transport your guests to a whimsical world of vintage carnivals with a menu that includes mini corn dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, and caramel apples. Decorate with vintage signs, striped tents, and fairy lights to complete the nostalgic atmosphere.

Global Street Food Festival

Celebrate the diversity of street food by offering dishes from around the world. Set up stalls representing different countries, each serving traditional street food like Mexican elotes, Vietnamese banh mi, or Moroccan tagine. This theme allows guests to embark on a culinary journey without leaving the venue.

Retro Diner Experience

Bring the classic American diner experience to your college ball with a menu that includes sliders, milkshakes, and loaded fries. Decorate with retro signage, checkered tablecloths, and jukeboxes to capture the essence of the 1950s diner era.

Catering to Dietary Needs

In today’s world, it’s important to be mindful of dietary restrictions and preferences. Offering a range of options ensures that all guests can enjoy the festivities without feeling left out.

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

Incorporate plant-based dishes that are just as flavorful and satisfying as their meat counterparts. Consider serving vegan tacos, veggie-loaded wraps, or plant-based burgers.

Gluten-Free Choices

Provide gluten-free options that don’t compromise on taste. Gluten-free pizza, rice paper rolls, and quinoa salads are great choices that cater to guests with gluten sensitivities.

Allergen Awareness

Clearly label all dishes and ensure that staff are informed about potential allergens in the food being served. This attention to detail will be appreciated by guests with food allergies and will help avoid any mishaps.

Bringing It All Together

Quirky catering for college balls is all about breaking the mold and creating a memorable experience that attendees will rave about long after the event is over. By incorporating street food, interactive elements, themed catering, and dietary considerations, you can craft an event that is both fun and inclusive.

So, the next time you’re tasked with organizing a college ball, think outside the box and let your creativity shine. With the right mix of originality and attention to detail, you can transform a traditional event into an unforgettable culinary adventure.

Equipment, Event Planning, Food Trucks

Increasing Our Range Of Catering Trikes

2 February 2025
Popeye Branded Trike

We regularly expand our range of food carts, trucks, stalls etc. Over the years things have slowly moved towards the American style of food trucks and away from the traditional burger vans and so on. Truth be told there are some exciting and quirky food trucks across the pond, though we are gradually catching up with them.

Some jobs though you just can’t physically fit a food truck. Smaller exhibition halls, offices, back gardens etc aren’t made to drive an airstream or American fire truck into. So for those we have stuck with our range of traditional styled hand carts, though with the occasional quirky addition like our tub shaped cart.

Candy Apple Red Tub Cart
Candy Apple Red Tub Cart

Due to a request from one of our larger corporate clients we added an ice cream trike a couple of years ago for some custom branded ice cream jobs. We used it for other catering trike hire jobs, but it seemed to only go out occasionally.

Increased Range Of Trikes For Hire

For some reason lately we have found ourselves utilising these more and more, so have commissioned a number of additional style bodies to make them more useful to us.

We also have a multi purpose body under construction which will take almost any of the catering lines we offer. This will be ideal for branded jobs as the trike offers three large flat panels that can be vinyl wrapped for promotions etc.

If you need to talk to us about catering trike hire, there is no need to hop on your bike, just drop us an email.

Equipment, Event Planning, Funfair Games, Funfair Rides

Hiring Funfair Rides For Corporate Fun Days

1 January 2025
traditional dodgems for hire

Corporate fun days are a fantastic way to boost morale and foster team spirit. But, how do you make your event stand out in a sea of standard office parties and team-building exercises?

Enter the magic of funfair rides. From dodgems to carousels, these nostalgic attractions can transform your corporate event into a memorable experience that resonates with your team.

A vibrant funfair with various rides and attractionsby Jason Leung (https://unsplash.com/@ninjason)

In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of hiring funfair rides for corporate fun days. Let’s dive in!

The Magic of Funfair Rides at Corporate Events

Funfair rides bring a unique charm and excitement to corporate events. They invite employees to step away from their desks and embrace childlike joy.

These rides create a shared experience that fosters connections among team members. The exhilarating thrill breaks down barriers and encourages interaction.

Moreover, funfair rides offer a break from the ordinary, turning a typical corporate event into an unforgettable adventure. Embrace the magic and see team spirit soar!

Choosing the Perfect Rides for Your Corporate Fun Day

Selecting the right rides is crucial for a successful fun day. Consider both employee preferences and event themes.

A range of rides ensures everyone has something to enjoy. Variety keeps the event lively and inclusive.

Here’s a list of popular funfair options:

Exciting variety of funfair ridesby Yeo Yonghwan (https://unsplash.com/@yeoyonghwan)

Opt for a mix of nostalgic and thrilling rides. This blend caters to diverse tastes and maximizes engagement.

Dodgems and Team Building

Dodgems are perfect for team bonding. They bring out healthy competition and laughter.

Riders can form teams, fostering camaraderie and boosting morale. A fun yet strategic choice for any event.

Carousels evoke a timeless charm. Their gentle spins appeal to all ages, creating a relaxed vibe.

These rides provide a nostalgic backdrop, perfect for capturing memorable photos. An enchanting addition to your event lineup.

Amusement Park Thrills for Everyone

Thrill-seekers rejoice with amusement park classics. Roller coasters and spinning rides offer adrenaline-pumping excitement.

Incorporate a few daring choices to challenge the adventurous. These rides elevate the event experience, ensuring everyone has a blast.

Safety and Compliance: Ensuring a Worry-Free Experience

Safety is paramount when it comes to funfair rides. Ensuring compliance with all regulations is crucial.

Partner with reputable ride hire companies. They should have proven track records in safety and reliability.

Here’s a checklist to ensure a seamless experience:

  • Verify ride safety certificates
  • Check insurance coverage
  • Confirm operator training

Compliance gives peace of mind. Proper protocols protect both guests and the company. A safe event guarantees carefree enjoyment for all involved.

Logistical Considerations for Smooth Sailing

Planning logistics for funfair rides is vital for event success. Consider space and power needs early on.

Ensure the venue accommodates ride sizes and power requirements. It prevents last-minute hiccups and ensures smooth operation.

Coordinate with vendors regarding setup times and access routes. Clear communication avoids potential issues and keeps the event running effortlessly. With thorough logistical planning, attendees can dive into fun without a hitch, leaving lasting memories of a flawless day.

Amplifying Your Brand with Customized Funfair Rides

Customized funfair rides can be a branding powerhouse. Add your logos and color schemes to create immersive brand experiences.

Transform ordinary rides into brand ambassadors. Engage employees and clients while reinforcing your corporate identity in a playful yet memorable way.

Conclusion: Creating Unforgettable Memories

Hiring funfair rides transforms ordinary corporate events into extraordinary experiences. They enhance employee morale and foster team unity.

When planned thoughtfully, these events create lasting memories. The joy and laughter from a funfair day linger in hearts and minds, building stronger connections.

Check out our range of funfair rides for your event.

Catering, Food Trucks, Fun Story, General

Quirky Food Trucks, From A Container To A Rocket Launcher

16 June 2023

At one time mobile catering consisted of almost entirely box shaped ‘burger vans’. Occasionally someone with a touch of flair, or perhaps just a bit mad, would put together something quirky. With the dawn of the instagram generation, boxy burger vans suddenly dropped out of vogue. To get ahead you really needed people to be sharing your set up. Sure, good food was important, but it was no longer the sole arbiter of success. Your food truck needed to look better.

We are going to be taking a look at some of the quirky, weird, wonderful and downright strange catering outlets around the world.

Happy Larrys

Shipping containers are ubiquitous throughout the world. A standardised method of transporting goods via road, rail and sea. Many of them however do find a second life as something totally different. From bars, to offices to mobile toilets. They have also found favour with catering vendors. The basic container is a strong watertight structure, that is built to accurate dimensions, and lends itself to conversions.

Happy as Larry is an Australian company that specialises in selling Napoli-style wood fired pizza. A nice touch in this container conversion is that they have replaced much of one side with huge glass pains to give a real contemporary feel to it.

Space Shuttle Cafe

If you are looking for something to convert into a food truck, the most obvious thing you could think of is an aeroplane. Probably not! This one was converted to a mobile eatery by GMC in 1976. But it started life as an actual flying machine in 1944.

Cotton Candy Jeep

One of our favourites this, take an iconic WWII off road vehicle, and shove a cotton candy (candy floss if you live this side of the pond) machine in the back. Oh and for good measure paint it all pink.

Walls Mini Ice Cream Truck

Walls ran a campaign called ‘Goodbye Serious’, where they built a miniaturised ice cream truck designed to drive into offices and dispense their best selling goodies. This is one seriously quirky little food truck. Though some of our taller staff might struggle to operate in this one.

K99 Ice Cream Cart

This one is notable, not for being a different type of food truck. But because of its target market. This sells ice creams for your canine companions. That’s right, doggy ice creams. Seems that scientists have discovered  that gammon and chicken-flavored ice creams really hits the spot for our doggy friends.

Vintage Caravan

These are gaining in popularity, and are being used for everything from a gin bar to a burger joint. The ironic thing is, was during the late 90’s, the fairground industry used these for staff quarters, then tended to scrap them at the end of the season. If they were scrapped, it wasn’t unknow to just remove all identifying marks and leave them in a layby for the council to dispose of. You try buying one now, I have seen them advertised for upwards of £30k.

Step Frame Food Truck

More of a Stateside set up, they have a plethora of large step fram delivery vehicles from the likes of Dodge, Ford, GMC etc. These are pretty near the size of a 7.5 tonne lorry in the UK and make an ideal blank canvas to fit out as a mobile eatery

Airstream Style Food Truck

Another option hailing from the good ole US of A. Airstreams were originally touring caravans. Till some adventurous soul decided to cut the side out and add a kitchen. They are now a fairly regular sight on the UK scene. With both the original Airstream brand and a number of both EU based and Chinese manufacturers building similar looking trucks.

Converted Vintage Horsebox

Stunning Horsebox Food Truck Hire
Stunning Horsebox Food Truck Hire

A regular sight nowadays, horseboxes are easy to obtain, pretty easy to convert and very flexible, though a bit on the small side for some catering options. Prices are steadily rising, to the benefit of anyone needing to dispose of a horsebox that’s past it’s sell by date. What you once would have scrapped, you can now get a tidy few grand for.

Snow Mobile Food Truck

This one is as far as we know, pretty unique. A burrito joint on a tracked snow mobile platform. Great for last minute corporate jobs in the arctic. Bloody noisy if you need to take it down the M1 motorway to London.

London Red Bus Yoghurt Truck

An iconic British vehicle this time, an ex London Routemaster bus, turned into a yoghurt dispensary by Snog. A cool vehicle for a cool brand serving a cool product (literally)!

The Peanut Van

Occasionally there are totally custom built trucks out there. I’ve seen vehicles that look like hot dogs, doughnuts, oranges. This one is a peanut. Leaves you in no doubt what the product is.

Land Rover Ice Cream Truck

Another off road vehicle pressed into service. We have already had a Willy’s Jeep with a candyfloss machine. This one is the UK equivalent. In vehicles that is, not food. This is one cool ice cream truck.

Monster Truck

Another ice cream van. This time shoehorned into a monster truck. Unless you are 6ft 6 you need step ladders to be served here.

Rocket Launcher Coffee Truck

A big boys toy this one. A coffee truck on a rocket launcher. Though it didn’t work out too well for two of the staff when they were arrested for causing panic on the streets of Malaysia. What’s next, doughnuts served from a Challenger tank?

Tactical Tapas

Another paramilitary offering. Tapas from a tactical armoured car. It’s all starting to get a bit Mad Max.

Fire Engine

The last couple of options were built on trucks designed to blow things up and start fires. These were designed to put them out. Popular both sides of the pond, though the US fire trucks just seem to be a lot more jazzy.