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Throwing a party for your friends and loved ones is no easy feat. You’ll have to consider the amount of people you plan to invite, the venue for your event, your available budget and what to serve your guests. Whether your goal is to have a small low key affair for your birthday or a larger party for your wedding reception, food should be a top priority. The highlight of a great party is not just having fun with good company but partaking in a well-crafted meal together. Choosing food items that work well with the theme of your party will not only showcase your creativity but leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Consider the kind of guests you are expecting to attend and settle for a menu that everyone can enjoy. However, not everyone has the time or skills to cook everything from scratch. Catering can provide your needs at your chosen venue, minus the stress. To make your party a success, consider professional catering services that can offer a well-balanced menu with healthy and nutritious organic options to keep your guests happy.
To help we have listed below a few creative food ideas to ensure your party will be a memorable experience for all.
Offer tapas
Providing small or bite-sized portions for your guests will be a sure hit with party attendees. Tapas will enable everyone to have a sampling of everything that is offered at the buffet. You can coordinate with your caterer to serve tapas that go with your party theme and wine pairings for your small-sized plates. Bite-sized servings work great for a laid back party and a cost-effective variety to the spread.
Think plant-based
Meat can be an expensive option if you’re working on a tight budget. There are multiple and creative ways to enjoy your party by choosing to go vegetarian. With the growing number of people opting to live on a plant-based diet, you will not only encourage your guests to eat healthily but also you can take into consideration their food allergies and dietary needs. Indian style or Mediterranean inspired vegetarian works well for most parties.
Go local
Eating locally produced is a great way to support the farmers and merchants at your party. Hire a professional caterer who can create a menu that only uses locally sourced ingredients. Visiting your farmer’s market will let you see what is fresh and in season. Serving what is readily available will keep the budget down. You will not only be providing your guests with the best of what your town has to offer but you’ll be helping the local economy at the same time.
Rent a food truck
Hiring a food truck is a new trend that has now become a popular feature at parties. Track down your favourite food truck in your area or look into something completely different from what a regular party will offer. Explore with various cuisines and go Mexican, Vietnamese or even Filipino. If you have a sweet tooth, there are food trucks that serve the best sweet treats that your guests can enjoy for dessert.
Enlist your favourite restaurant
If you’d like to represent your town to your guests try to enlist your favourite local restaurant to cater for your special event. Collaborate with the chef and come up with menu ideas or appetisers that will best suit your event. By doing this it will help bring exposure to your favourite restaurant and town.
Set up a buffet
Choose the best menu options from your favourite caterer and set up a buffet for the main dishes, desserts, and drinks. This is a great tip if there are children around who can be picky eaters. People can control the portions they want. This will also prevent food wastage and you’ll be able to avoid plates coming back with uneaten food. A buffet will also save you the expense of hiring wait staff for your party.
Add a coffee bar
Contact your treasured coffee shop in your hometown and see if they’d be interested in setting up a makeshift coffee station at your party. This will provide your guests with more coffee options to pair with their dessert. This will beat the standard run of the mill lukewarm coffee served at most parties. A fresh espresso from a state of the art coffee machine will definitely impress your guests.
Set up a salad and fruit bar
If your party happens to fall during summer, setting up a fresh salad and fruit bar is a great way for guests to help cool down. Select special fruits and vegetables that are home-grown. This will not only impress your guests and help showcase your town’s produce but it will help support the local farmers in your region.
Hire an open grill
If your party is outdoors and the weather is great why not hire a catering service that can provide an open grill. This will go well with your salad and fruit station. The aroma of freshly grilled meats such as sausages, burgers, steaks, and fish combined with corn and other vegetables on a charcoal grill will keep your guests enthralled. Pair it with locally crafted beer and wines to complement the flavours.
In the end when preparing for a party, pick a caterer that best fits your tastes and personality. Always stick within your budget and highlight the food that best reflects your region. Be creative, so your guests will not only have a great time but will remember your party for years to come.