Food is one of the most important parts of an event. Guests will talk about and remember the food for months to come. Especially exceptional food may be remembered and talking about for years. As a host, it is your duty to choose a food menu that fits with your event theme and that is enjoyed by your guests. Use the following catering tips to choose the perfect caterers for your next event.
Consider the theme of the event
The theme will have everything to do with the specific caterers and food choices that you make. For example, if you are throwing a brunch for business coworkers, you will likely want brunch items that are upscale. However, if you have a BBQ in your backyard to celebrate the summer season, you might choose foods that are less upscale and have more of a lunch feel. Professional caterers can often give you valuable feedback on the type of menu you should create, but you will also want to choose caterers that are experienced in the type of food that you will be serving.
Consider guest seating options
The seating at an event also plays a deciding factor into the type of food. If there will not be any actual seating and much of the event will be strolling, you will find that finger foods are more appreciated. If guests are assigned to a specific seat, however, a plated five course meal is appropriate. In 2014, there were 39,325 eating and drinking place locations in Florida. This means that, just in the state of Florida, you have many catering options to choose from.
Try not to create a menu that is too difficult
Although you do want your food to be tasty and memorable, you do not want to choose a menu that is overwhelming and too complex. When there are too many items on the menu, guests find it difficult to choose and the catering company takes longer to prepare it, meaning that guests have to wait longer for their food. Chicken is always a great option for a quick meal that can still have fast food delivery and taste good. In fact, you are likely to find that many events across the country include some type of chicken for guests.
Work within your budget
It is also important to work within your budget. If you are on a strict budget, you may not be able to serve all of your guest?s steak. On the other hand, if you are charging guests for their meal or for entrance to the event, you do not want to serve them a cold sandwich. Always consider your budget and work closely with your caterers on choosing the best foods for your dollars. Remember, simple and cost efficient foods like chicken can be decorated and made to look more expensive than it is. Because Americans consume more chicken than anyone else in the world and it is the number one protein consumed in the United States, it is always a perfectly acceptable menu choice. Find a good chicken kitchen and find a way to incorporate chicken into your catering menu.
Celebrations, events, and parties usually serve guests some type of food. Food and drink sales of the restaurant industry in the United States were forecasted to exceed 683 billion U.S. dollars in 2014. A lot of this is due to the fact that Americans enjoy eating. The specific menu that you choose for your upcoming event is very important. You will want to work closely with your catering company on creating a menu that fits your event theme, makes sense, and that guests will remember for months to come.
