Tips in Creating the Perfect Catering Menu for a Corporate Event

Are you during planning for your company’s next corporate event? Looking to pull off an all-day event with food and beverages that your co-workers will love? We’ve got 8 catering tips you need for your next corporate event. Of course, you must choose each of those dishes carefully if you want to make a catered event a hit. Chefs can leave everyone at a corporate event satisfied with a varied menu full of tasty entrees and appetizers, achieving positive word-of-mouth and repeat business.

CUSTOMIZE FOR THE OCCASION

Each event has its own demands, so it’s important for caterers to understand the requirements for every meal they serve. An appropriate concept or theme can guide menu creation, with a common thread to make all the choices fit together. No matter the event, the catering company should present a minimum of two entrees (serving any condiments on the side), at least three salad dressings and two possibilities for dessert.

Depending on when and where the event is taking place, chefs may have different seasonal ingredients available. By making the most of the produce or seafood that’s currently abundant, you’ll end up with a fresher, more distinctive final product.

COUNT HEADS

Have an estimated head count ready to provide a caterer or event planner that allows them to get started on menu options. Give continuous updates as your corporate event draws near. If you want a buffet, most venues require a minimum of 35 guests.

HEAD COUNT CATERING TIPS

Always overestimate your head count to account for last minute attendees. If attendance numbers increase on the day of the function, many venues reserve the right to substitute menu items to accommodate extra guests.

SET A BUDGET

Are executives at your company seeking steak and lobster but they’ve given you a hamburger and hot dog budget? Clarify and highlight what needs to be included in the budget and review it closely with management before you present your budget to a caterer or event planner. Don’t forget to account for linens, china, flowers for the tables and more. Event planners can help you budget and plan for everything you need.

MEETING THEMES

What’s the focus or theme of your corporate event? If you’re looking to surprise employees for a job well done, a buffet will go over nicely. If your corporate event is aimed at thanking the sales team for being the highest earners of the fiscal year, that buffet won’t go over so well. Focus on the feeling you hope to convey and that will help you plan your menu.

STICK TO A SCHEDULE

Is your corporate event going to have multiple speakers and presentations? Plan the food service around the day’s schedule and work with an event planner and caterer to build in time for food service and cooking times.

BUFFET OR WAIT STAFF SERVICE?

Depending on how busy your corporate event schedule is, you’ll have to decide if a self-serve buffet or a full service waiting staff is needed to serve and take away plates. If the focus needs to be on the corporate speaker and you’re looking to save time, a full service wait staff keeps attendees in their chairs longer. If you’re seeking a way to break up the day, schedule a buffet lunch that allows attendees time to mingle.

SELECT A MENU

Follow these general catering tips for selecting your corporate event menu:

  • Breakfast Functions on a weekday morning should include coffee, tea, fruit juices, a main entrée and two sides. Pastries can be offered too.
  • Lunch should offer a 5-ounce entrée per person, two to three side dishes and two to four appetizer options.
  • Dinner typically offers three to five appetizers, soup or salad, a 7-ounce main entrée and two to three side dishes. Plan on two servings of dessert per guest too.
  • Cocktail Functions that don’t include dinner call for 10 to 15 appetizer servings per person.

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

It’s important to have enough menu variety to satisfy all your guests. Since many people are vegetarian or are on a gluten-free diet, you should inform your caterer or event planner that you’re seeking a few vegan and gluten-free options. If the catering service you hire needs to know about dietary instructions in advance of your corporate event, it’s important that employees with dietary restrictions select one of those options when they RSVP.

STAY AWAY FROM BOXED LUNCHES

Years ago, bring their own lunch or boxed lunches were popular at corporate events. While this is cheaper, you’ll never go back to boxed lunches once you’ve held an event with catered service. Clients and attendees are more impressed by a nice food spread and are more willing to pay attention to your event if they’re having a good time and are fed well.  Hint: They will remember the food.

If you’re planning a corporate event in New York City or Long Island, Sarah Brown Catering can handle everything from start to finish. Their catering packages include beautiful buffets, perfect plated dinners, lavish luncheons and unbeatable breakfasts to pair nicely with all of your corporate events and functions. Contact them to discuss catering tips and review our catering menus.

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Aug, 2019

Why Choose a Catering Service?

Organizing, planning, and hosting an event of any size is a large task. The long list of to-dos and only so much time before the day of your event. This long list can make the entire process a stressful ordeal. In our minds, events are supposed to be fun and enjoyable – both before and the day of. A large portion of planning for an event is food – knowing the number of people you need to feed, figuring out what food you want to serve, preparing the food, serving the food, and cleaning up once your guests leave. Below, we share with you five important reasons to consider on why you should consider hiring a caterer for your next event.

Create a List of Needs

One of the most important things that you must do before reaching out to a catering businesses is to create a full list of needs for the party, including the date and time of the event, number of attendees, location and setting of the party, whether or not there is a kitchen or at least refrigerator on-site, and whether or not you would like the caterer to provide alcohol for your event catering. Also, make sure that your list of needs is well-written and consistent throughout all your conversations with the various catering companies, ensuring that you receive accurate quotes that match your needs.

Determine Your Catering Budget

Perhaps the most important element dictating the results of your party catering is the amount of money that you have in your budget for the caterer. Most catering services start out at $25+ a person, and the price will go up as additional features are requested, such as a wait staff, alcohol, fancy serving platters, rented tables, chairs, and linens, etc… are included. Before you reach out to the first set of catering companies, make sure to create a hard budget for your event.

What About the Menu?

Another important consideration is the type of food served, the variety found in the party catering Albuquerque menu, and whether or not the company offers vegetarian or other styles that match your participant’s dietary restrictions. Also, consider the type of ethnic food offered. Mexican food is very popular in the United States and is considered a good option for corporate events. Another cuisine, like Indian or Thai food, is delicious and may be appreciated by some of your more adventurous guests, but may be considered too foreign for a typical business function.

How Is Food Served?

Depending on the type of event that you are organizing, this may be the single most important factor in choosing a party catering business is their ability to make the event look professional. Let Sarah Brown’s Catering staff create a professional menu and aesthetic for your next professional event.

Taste It!

Your catering preparation is never complete until you taste test the menu in-person. One of the last, but most important steps, in securing catering Albuquerque is to stop by the restaurant and test the food in-person, making sure that the food matches the descriptions and that the taste is up to your standards. Before going into the restaurant, make sure to inquire whether the tasting step is included in the overall package price or whether you will be expected to pay more for it.

Alcohol

Another key issue that you will want to discuss with your caterer and own team is whether you intend to serve alcohol at your event. Some catering package comes with beer pairings over five courses; however, do discuss custom alcohol serving options with you to meet your needs. Not all event catering Albuquerque has this option, so make sure that your catering company has an active alcohol license before signing a contract.

Attention to Detail

Look out for a catering company that will take time to perfect and present your food and beverage options in a way that will wow your guests. Choose the catering staff who have the skills, experience, and patience to make your vision a reality. Also, one that can adapt to any venue environment to make sure your food and beverages fit the scene and look perfect.

Tables and Decorations

One of the most important, but frequently, forgotten elements of catering is figuring out beforehand who is in-charge of the rental equipment, such as tables, chairs, linens, silverware, and glassware. A party with food but without any of the above items would be a strange party indeed!

When you’re planning your next event, really consider the time and how you will realistically get everything done. Turning over the food portion of your event to a catering company like Sarah Brown’s Catering can let you focus on other planning essentials and the bigger picture – enjoying your party and spending quality time with your guests. They provide reliable and professional services in Great Neck, New York. Get in touch soon!