When you're planning any type of special event, figuring out what to serve your guests for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or anytime in between is probably at the top of your to-do list. If your chosen event venue doesn't provide food, such as a park, country barn, banquet room, or reception hall, you'll have to either provide the food yourself or hire an off-site caterer.
When determining whether you should prepare your own event food and beverages or hire a professional catering company to handle the task for you, take event size, your party-planning budget, and the amount of time you have into consideration. Although preparing the provisions yourself may save some money, the amount of time you'll save with a caterer may be invaluable.
While many types of event venues provide on-site catering, many do not, so be sure to inquire prior to booking the space. During especially busy times of the year, such as the summer months or the winter holiday season, be sure to secure a caterer as far in advance as possible.
Besides providing mouthwatering food for your guests, off-site caterers offer several other convenient benefits. The staff will typically deliver the food and beverages to your venue and clean up afterward. They may also provide chefs to prepare the food on-site if requested.
Here are some off-site catering ideas for special events:
1. Build-Your-Own Bars
When it comes to casual event food that is appropriate for everything from birthday parties to wedding receptions, you can't go wrong with build-your-own bars. Guests can make their own meals according to their preferences and dietary concerns, and mix and mingle with other party-goers as they do it.
Some ideas include a build-your-own-burger bar and a build-your-own-taco bar. If you decide to go this route, rent long, buffet-style tables and have the caterer provide serving platters filled with all of the necessary ingredients, such as buns, tortillas, chopped and sliced vegetables, meat, cheeses, and condiments, such as mayonnaise, guacamole, and sour cream.
2. Pizza
Another type of food that is ideal for guests of all ages, and that can be served at both fancy soirees and laid-back celebrations is pizza. The caterers can either bring them to the site premade or allow guests to assemble their own at the venue. In this case, you can either bake them in pizza ovens or over a wood-fired grill if the venue is outdoors.
Provide a mix of gourmet pies with toppings, such as prosciutto and sun-dried tomatoes, and basic pizzas to please everyone on your guest list.
Contact a local off-site catering service, such as Rogue Kitchens, to learn more.
Share2 August 2022
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