4 Checklist Tips for Holiday Catering & Special Occasions

holiday catering & special occasionsIf you are planning a special occasion, we know how stressful it can be with the many items to check off of your list. Whether you are planning a special holiday dinner, a birthday celebration or even a small wedding, catering would have to be one of the items at the very top of your checklist!

The food at any event is something that is of utmost importance. It’s one of the things that your guests look most forward to and is the thing they will more than likely remember after your event. Take the pressure off of yourself by bringing in a catering company to make all of your culinary wishes a reality.

Choosing the correct catering company will take one extra thing off of your checklist, making your event that much less stressful to plan. Leave the food to the professionals and rest assured your guests’ taste buds will be well taken care of.

Holiday Catering and Perfect Special Occasions

Since most of the holidays mentioned below fall on lovely summer days, they’re perfect for outdoor catering and celebrating. Being outdoors lends itself to a variety of different themes and ideas which can be both formal or informal, depending on the vibe you want for your event.

A Fourth of July outdoor picnic style party is perfect for friends and family to enjoy, while Mother’s Day could have a slightly more formal kind of setting. Having a catering company means that you don’t have to do all of the decision making alone. Your caterers will know what to suggest for each event.

Events that you may want to consider catering for are:

  • Mother’s Day
  • Father’s Day
  • Easter
  • Memorial Day
  • Labor Day
  • Fourth of July
  • Milestone Birthdays
  • Baby & Bridal Showers

If your event falls on a cold day, there are other great ideas for indoor parties too. A formal cocktail party for Father’s Day, or a simple sit-down dinner for birthdays are perfect for bringing friends and family together. Choosing a professional catering company has many advantages to consider. Let’s review some of the top reasons to hire a professional catering company.

1. Organizing

When hiring someone to do your catering, the level of organizing and stress is taken off of you as the host so that you can focus on other important areas of your event. Having a catering company means that you have more time to organize your table settings and decor. It also means that you have more time to focus on your guests.

Instead of worrying about keeping your food warm or chilled, serving it at the right time and clearing tables, you have time to mingle with your guests and enjoy all of your hard work and planning.

catering bartenderAsk your catering company about servers or bartenders. Most professional caterers have an option available for you to hire staff for your event. This is an excellent option, especially for big formal occasions, as it frees up your time as the host to be part of the event instead of tending to catering.

2. Menu Planning

Once you have had your meeting with your caterers and they know exactly what you are looking for, they can come up with a fabulous menu that you may have not otherwise thought of to create a unique dining experience at the location of your choice. If you are unsure of the type of menu you want at your event, your catering company will have experience in guiding you to create a flavorful menu that will impress any of your guests.

Remember to include a variety of dishes and take your guests food preferences into account. It is always a good idea to have 1 or 2 “neutral” vegetarian options for the guests who may have dietary restrictions. Ask your catering company about bar options if your location doesn’t have this available. If your caterers don’t have a bar facility, they will more than likely have a company that they can recommend to you.

Having both a catering and refreshments means that all of your guests food and drink needs are taken care of for the duration of the function. You also have the option to create your very own custom cocktails and interesting snacks that are unique to your event.

For a whimsical twist you can create your own snacks, fit for the occasion. Star shaped pies and sandwiches are perfect for that Fourth of July picnic lunch, while fancy cocktail glasses filled with your favorite old school appetizers are excellent for your formal birthday celebrations.

3. Setting Up

catering special occasionMost professional catering companies will offer to set everything up for you, and not simply drop off your food. Discuss different options for your food display which can also add to the color, theme and decor for your event.

Creating a dessert or candy bar is a great way to add a feature table to your venue that is both functional and looks good. If your catering company does not offer decor services, arrange for the food to be placed on the tables in a way that allows you to add the centerpieces you want around the food.

Candles and vases are great options for filling spaces on tables that have platters and boards, but be careful placing inedible items around food as it may be a safety hazard. Your catering company will also take care of keeping food heated or chilled for your event, which is another thing you don’t have to worry about.

4. Cleaning Up

After months or even weeks of planning your event, and a day or night of hosting, the last thing you feel like doing is clearing platters and plates from your venue. By hiring a professional catering company, you don’t need to worry about clearing catering equipment and leftover food. Your catering company will take care of the nitty-gritty while you wrap your event up without a concern.

In Conclusion

Whether you are planning a big Memorial day bash or a small intimate Mother’s Day event, hiring a catering company will satisfy all of your culinary needs which will allow you to enjoy your guests and event to the fullest. Remember that although a catering company will see to all of your food and drink needs, you still have a say in exactly what you want. You can use your event to get creative and think of new, interesting culinary inventions that will wow your guests.

Have fun with it and enjoy your upcoming catered event. And of course, feel free to reach out to us for all your catering needs!

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