THE ART OF EVENT CATERING

THE MENU

Food is pretty much an event’s “first impression”- what happens in the first few minutes will set the tone for the rest of the evening. Although what’s being served is important, how it looks is VERY important- we eat with our eyes first!  Key components to keep in mind are the color and texture, temperature, the type of plate you’re using, and even the garnish used to decorate the plate.  While it’s important to plan your menu around the theme of the event, it’s also imperative to balance the capabilities of the caterer with the facilities available.  A menu that may work for a intimate guest list of 20 will not necessarily be accommodating for a corporate event of 250.

MUSIC

Music controls the flow of energy at an event:  Soft, jazzy background music during cocktail hour & dinner and dance music for the party- so definitely have a playlist for the DJ! Volume is just as important as the type of music playing- while dining, you don’t want to have the music up so loud that you can't have a pleasant conversation with the guest sitting next to you or across the table.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

This is one of the most important components to a successful event, and one that’s often overlooked.  How your guests’ time is spent during the event is vital because you don’t want them looking at their watch wondering what’s next.  A successful event exhibits a flow that creates an experience for your guests- Beginning, Middle, and End:  Cocktail hour should last no more than 45 minutes to 1 hour, all courses of dinner should be served without delay, and the event should end at a climax where everyone is on the dance floor.

A++ SERVICE

The number of waiters is not the only factor that needs to be taken into consideration.  In addition to the sufficient number of waiters, thoroughly rationalizing the functions and responsibilities of the entire staff…. Who will handle food service, clearing, and wine service? Whether it’s your waiting staff, kitchen staff, or Maitre D’, everyone must know what’s expected of them at all times.