Have you ever experienced that one perfect bite? Whether you want to put a contemporary flare on your cocktail hour or you are looking to have a lounge-style wedding reception, hors d’oeuvres can still be the star of your guests’ gastronomic experience. From the savory to the sweet, the simple to the complex, vegetarian to meat lovers, small bites can pack a big punch. But that’s not to say they have to be boring or unsophisticated and that’s why more and more couples are electing to pass on the expected scallops wrapped in bacon, stuffed mushrooms and mini quiches, swapping them out for seafood shooters, demitasse bisques and crème-fraîche-dolloped blinis.

In Connecticut, the name Max is synonymous with fine dining. Part of the Max Restaurant Group, which rosters eight restaurants plus their catering division, Max’s Catering, based in Hartford, is a full-service caterer and the preferred vendor for The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. Known for innovative cuisine and uncompromised service, their food can surely exceed the highest of expectations.

Equally, Au Soleil catering in Boston, Mass., is co-owned by chef and proprietor, Frank McClelland, who also has his hand in L’Espalier and Sel de la Terre restaurants. McClelland and his team pride themselves on combining regional ingredients, from places like his Apple Street Farm, with French techniques. Au Soleil delivers the same excellence when catering a private event as they do in either restaurant.

When it comes down to it, most caterers will work with you to customize your menu, but not all can deliver an unparalleled experience of food and service. Look to find out what the trends are for the upcoming season and don’t be afraid to speak up if you want to add in a family recipe or do something a bit more parochial simply because it has special meaning. A good caterer will leave you full and give you everything you have asked for, a great caterer will leave you full and still wanting more. Bon appétit.