For many, the holiday season is a time of year that brings families and friends closer together. Having delicious food on the table is a must-have for your business and family holiday parties! While the winter holidays are a special time of year, they can also be stressful for party hosts who do not carefully plan and prepare. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, a business holiday party, or a casual get-together, we’re sharing our top five tips for planning your holiday catering!
Tip #1: Plan, Plan, Plan!
The most important thing to do when planning a holiday get-together is to plan with as much time as possible in advance of your event. Some questions to ask yourself while planning include:
- How many guests will be attending? This will help you determine how much food you should order and have available to your guests. Be sure to account for guests who want a second plate!
- What type of event are you hosting? For example, if you are planning a sit-down dinner or a casual cocktail party, the type and quantity of food you have at your event will differ.
- What is your budget? The holiday season can be financially demanding, so planning for your budget will allow you to select a vendor that won’t drain your bank account.
- When is your party? Be sure to give your caterer enough notice to prepare your order! Some restaurants require more notice than others, so plan to call or visit the restaurant to know how long they require.
- Where is your venue? Does your venue allow you to bring your own food, or do you have to order from where you are hosting? Talk to your venue’s management if you plan on bringing food from a restaurant.
By answering these questions and giving yourself enough time to plan for any additional come-ups, your event is sure to be a success!
Tip #2: Give Your Guests A Variety of Options
When you are planning for the types of food you would like at your holiday party, it’s important to have enough options for every palette and dietary restriction. Before your event, survey your guests to find out whether they have any dietary restrictions or allergies to ensure that you can have food options that are enjoyable for everyone! Some common dietary restrictions to consider when planning for your food options include having dishes that are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal in addition to having food available for guests with no dietary restrictions. Offer your guests a variety of food options that satisfy both their dietary needs and taste buds are sure to please any crowd!
Tip #3: Use Fresh Ingredients
Keep your catering options diverse and fresh! Always research your vendor and try their food options first-hand to get a better idea of the type of food and quality you’re looking for. By selecting a caterer that uses fresh ingredients, the quality of your food is sure to please your guests.
Here at Basha’s Shawarma, all our food is sourced from local farm-fresh suppliers. When you dine at Basha’s Shawarma, not only are you supporting local farmers and businesses, but you can also be assured that your meal is prepared with only the highest quality ingredients. We care about what goes into our food and where it is prepared – cleanliness is always our top priority.
Tip #4: Make Sure Your Menu Fits Your Event Theme
What is the theme of your event? The answer to this question is important to keep in mind while you are selecting the menu for your holiday event. If you are having a sit-down dinner, your food choices are likely to differ whether your theme is family-style, buffet, or formal. The same principle goes for casual-style events; your selection of food options is likely to differ between a black-tie cocktail party or a conference.
Beyond the basic format of how your guests will be enjoying their food, also remember to consider your guests’ attire! If your event theme requires your guests to wear formal attire, you might want to consider foods that are not “messy” to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions. Selecting a menu that fits your event theme is another key to making your catered event successful!
Tip #5: Find A Caterer Who Cares
Sometimes, the difference in the quality of food comes down to finding a caterer who cares. This could be as simple as opting to choose a locally owned restaurant with 5-star reviews over a fast-food chain restaurant.
By hiring a local professional caterer for your work event, they are likely to care about the quality of the food they prepare. For smaller businesses, the quality of every order is critical to the success of their business. Not only will you be ensuring your catering is of excellent quality, but you will also create a memorable experience for your guests while supporting your local community.
Catering For Success
For more tips and advice about catering for your upcoming events, check out our top 5 tips for catering your work event. At Basha’s Shawarma, we offer a variety of catering options that are dietary-restriction friendly and are always prepared using fresh and local ingredients.
Reach out to Basha’s Shawarma to cater to your local Windsor family or business holiday event. We offer platters of fine middle eastern cuisine to accommodate any size office event. Check out our Catering Menu, our Family Platters, or contact us at (519) 968-3536 to learn more about how we can help your event be a success.