Art Basel Miami: Cocktail Parties, Canapés & Standing Gala Dinners

Cocktail reception or standing dinner? Start with the promise to your guests

A cocktail reception serves drinks and small bites while guests mingle. A standing gala dinner—or dîner cocktail—keeps that freedom of movement but provides a complete meal through a more generous progression of savory dishes and desserts. If your invitation says dinner, the menu should deliver dinner, not just an appetizer before guests leave to eat elsewhere.

Chef Jérôme Abraham and team build the proposal around that distinction: the guest count, duration, venue and whether your event is a gallery opening, collector reception, luxury brand gathering or private celebration. The approach is food-led and personal, rather than a one-size-fits-all package.

Art Basel Miami Beach 2026: plan around December 4–6

Art Basel’s official Miami Beach fair dates are December 4–6, 2026. Private receptions may take place before, during or after the fair, so give us your actual event date and timing—not just “Art Basel week.” Confirm venue access and catering permissions with your host before settling on the service format. Lavish Gastronomy Privé caters independent private events; we are not affiliated with Art Basel or its official fair catering.

Canapés that make a first impression

Think contrast: something crisp and fresh, something warm and comforting, and a bite with a little surprise. A canapé should be easy to enjoy while holding a glass, with a clean finish and enough character to be remembered. These are examples from our public Cocktails & Canapés menu, not a fixed Art Week package:

• Beef Carpaccio Mini Tart — Parmesan dough, beef carpaccio and capers: a delicate, savory opening bite.
• Smoked Salmon Ballottine — on toast or blinis with sour cream.
• Shrimps & Mango Chutney — cilantro, mint and curry flavor for a bright contrast.
• Endive Boat — beet, cranberries and Granny Smith, bringing crispness and color.
• Truffles Cheese Croquette — a warm, rich counterpoint to the fresher selections.
• Truffle Cauliflower mini tarte — a plant-based option from the catalog.

Savory bites: turn a reception into an evening

For an event that overlaps dinner, add more substantial savory bites rather than simply repeating the opening canapés. Mix textures and proteins, and plan vegetarian choices as part of the main experience. Our menu includes:

• Mini Lobster Roll — coleslaw and saffron aioli.
• Mini Crab Cake — cilantro pesto.
• Chicken Skewers Marinated Lemon Curry — a warm, aromatic savory bite.
• Mini Croque Monsieur — the familiar French ham-and-cheese classic, in a smaller format.
• Scallops & Ginger Leeks — served in the shell; plan a place for guests to rest a glass and return the shell.
• Mini Quiche Lorraine — ask about the leeks-and-goat-cheese variation for a vegetarian selection.

The number of selections is not the number of pieces per guest. A written proposal should distinguish variety, portions and service duration. Tell us whether guests will arrive together or circulate in waves, and whether the bites are a welcome reception or their full evening meal.

A standing gala dinner needs a beginning, a middle and a finish

A standing dinner should feel like an evening unfolding, not a tray that keeps coming back. Open with lighter canapés; build into warm, more substantial savory bites; then close with a clear dessert moment. Leave room for conversation, but avoid long gaps in food service when the menu is replacing dinner.

For the finale, our small-format dessert choices include Mini Lemon tart with raspberry coulis, Mini Mango Pavlova, Mini Vanilla Crème Brûlée and Mini Macaron & Chocolate Mousse. Choose a mix of fresh and richer flavors. Desserts served in a glass or dish need spoons and a clearing plan; handheld bites suit guests who are still moving.

Cocktails belong in the plan—not in the assumptions

Our signature cocktail selection includes the Mango Mule, Cucumber Gimlet and Spicy Passion Fruit Margarita. A welcome cocktail can set the tone while water and soft drinks keep the evening comfortable for everyone. Beverages and bartender requirements are confirmed separately in the proposal: a canapé menu does not automatically include an open bar.

Keep the gallery—and the guests—in mind

• Ask the venue where food and drinks are permitted, especially near artwork and installations.
• Confirm preparation space, power, refrigeration, load-in times and where the team can clear used dishes.
• Keep service paths away from entrances and artwork; allow guests space to circulate without a queue blocking the room.
• Include a few places to rest glasses and plates, plus seating for guests who need it—even at a standing event.
• Share allergies and dietary requirements before menu design. Vegetarian options are not automatically vegan, gluten-free or suitable for every allergy.
• For a terrace or yacht, confirm a weather alternative and the kitchen or galley conditions before choosing hot dishes.

What cocktail party catering in Miami costs

Our published canapés menu starts from $70 per person. This is a starting food-menu price, not an all-inclusive standing gala dinner or beverage package. Your final quote depends on selections, portions, service length and venue. A full standing dinner is quoted for its complete menu and service needs.

Ask for an itemized proposal covering food, beverages, staff, rentals and any transport fee, with applicable service charges, the administrative fee and sales tax identified separately. The service charge covers staff hours; tips are not included. That clarity lets you compare a short welcome reception with a full-evening dinner without confusing two different experiences.

French technique. Miami energy. Your guest list.

Chef Jérôme Abraham trained at Lycée Hôtelier Paul Augier in Nice and brings 30 years of culinary experience to Lavish Gastronomy Privé. His French, Mediterranean and Asian fusion influences suit a menu with both elegance and contrast. The team caters private and corporate events across Miami and South Florida, including Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach.

For your Miami Art Week gathering, send your date, venue, guest count, event hours and preferred format: cocktail reception, savory-bite party or standing gala dinner. Add dietary needs, a budget range, and whether you need beverages, service staff or rentals. We will build a menu proposal around your evening; availability is confirmed directly, not assumed.