If you're planning your own wedding reception, a fundraiser event for your business or an anniversary celebration to your parents, there are an incredible number of decisions to make including themes, venue music, décor, and food. Making the menu for your party can be confusing with all the options you have available to you and the many factors you have to be aware of. Here are some tips that will help you to get started in your planning process.
1. Create a budget.
Every professional catering business offers a range of menu options suitable for different budgets. Your caterer ought to be able to provide some suggestions for menus to maximize the utilization on your funds. Some items on the menu are more costly due to ingredients used and the time it takes to prepare. You'll save yourself and your caterer a lot of time if you've got an idea of how much money you're willing for food.
2. Know your audience.
It's fairly obvious that the menu and the quantity of food you serve at your son's birthday party will be quite different from the meal you offer for your reading group. When you're not sure of your guests well enough, variety is the key. Be sure to have plenty of alternatives to pick from, ensure that you have at least one vegetarian item. If you know that children will be present you should include some kid-friendly dishes in the food menu. Be sure to inquire about any special dietary requirements as well as allergies. Remember that some foods, like shellfish and nuts, may cause your guests to be taken right to ER.
3. Be sure the menu matches the theme of the event.
Some people ask if a buffet dinner is tacky for a wedding reception. It's not a question of tacky or not. It's all about your overall style and the theme of your wedding. If you are planning a formal and high-end wedding reception, a buffet style meal might look unnatural. On the other hand, if you have a trendy and chic celebration at the local art gallery or museum, a "living room" style reception is a good idea. For a traditional Greek wedding or Russian wedding the family-style dinner usually works the best. If you are planning a wedding with an underlying theme you should take that into factor when planning your menu. Also, make sure that your items go well together. It's unlikely that you want to mix fresh oysters and cheeseburgers.
4. Order the right amount of food.
You don't want your guests to be hungry and you don't corporate catering menu want to overload in the quantity of food served and leave over leftovers. If you can, have sure that your guest RSVP to your invitation. This will allow you to stay within your budget and plan your menu accordingly, and order the right amount of food. Consider the timing of your celebration, its length, and the purpose. If you are hosting your reception from 7 to 9 pm, your guests are likely to be expecting a meal. If you don't provide one, then manage your guests' expectations accordingly. In your invitation, specify what kind of meal you'll be offered (e.g. wine and cheese reception, cocktail reception, etc.)
5. Do not follow the personal tastes of yours.
We all commit this mistake. We believe that what we enjoy, others might also like. Don't let your personal taste get in the way while planning the menu for your event. You wouldn't want to serve a 100% seafood menu unless you know that everyone at your party is as enthralled by fish as much as. If you happen be vegan and think pork chops disgusting There's a good chance that your guests will disagree with you and might prefer good old-fashioned steak over Tofu Cacciatore.
And a bonus tip - Hire a reputable catering service! Research before you sign the contract. Read reviews, ask around and set up an appointment. The time you put into finding the perfect caterer will pay off. Take the stress from your event planningby hiring an experienced professional.