So you have booked a great venue, sent out the invites, and made all other arrangements for your next big celebration. But, there is one thing that you really need help with — the catering menu planning. You are baffled because you want to serve delicious food, but also make sure all your guests and their diverse preferences are met. It’s a tough ask.
Balancing event catering costs with a thoughtful menu requires extensive planning, especially if you are an amateur party planner.
Thankfully, here’s an easy-to-follow guide to event catering that can be helpful to anyone — from first-timers to pros.
How to Plan a Catering Menu for All Kinds of Events
How to plan an event that’s a resounding success?
Get the food right. In order to do that, you must:
1. Draw Up an Event Catering Budget
Before getting into the thick of things, remember that while the elements of a catering checklist may remain largely unchanged, the budget can widely vary between private and corporate events. And that’s why it’s where you should start.
Both catering and event planning cannot happen without a budget. That said, the budget is dependent on your funding source.
For example, if you are hosting a corporate lunch, you may have sponsors and therefore enjoy a flexible budget. However, if it is a personal celebration you are planning, you have to carefully consider how much you want to spend. There may be instances where all the guests contribute their share to the event.
Weigh all the possibilities guided by the type of event you are hosting when allocating a budget to catering for events.
Do not go overboard.
2. Choose the Type of Event Catering You Want
Do you want to serve home-cooked food to your guests, or would you like to hire a caterer? While you can consider making the party food yourself for smaller, informal gatherings like an intimate birthday celebration, do remember it involves significant planning and prep work.
You can always organize a potluck for the informal celebrations you are hosting at home.
But for medium to large-scale events, or corporate affairs, it is best to opt for a caterer. And, here is a pro catering tip — choose a full-service catering service over a traditional one. Between full-service vs. traditional catering, the former outshines the latter because it’s comprehensive and value-for-money.
Perhaps you’re wondering, what does full-service catering include? Everything from prepping, servicing, and clean-up is their responsibility. All you need to do is discuss the menu. Rest assured, the caterer will take care of everything else.
3. Curate an Event Catering Menu
When you are done finalizing your catering in Los Angeles, move on to the next obvious step. No prizes for guessing it is deciding on a catering menu in Los Angeles. At this stage, you must take your guests’ dietary preferences and restrictions into account.
Account for guests who may be vegan, eat only kosher or halal, or have food allergies. Lactose intolerance, gluten allergies, and sensitivity to shellfish are some of the most common food restrictions that you should consider too.
Catering menu planning should be so inclusive that there is something for everyone. Keeping diverse tastes and dietary preferences in mind, the event catering menu at Vivaldi Venues & Catering is versatile.
4. Arrange a Tasting Session
Here’s the thing that nobody tells you about catering event planning — you need to taste the food you are about to serve your guests on the main day. It doesn’t matter if you are cooking at home or hiring a caterer; a tasting session is non-negotiable.
In case you are cooking yourself, a trial run will save you from last-minute mishaps in the kitchen and set you up for success. You can also easily calculate catering portions based on your trial menu.
When you are working with a caterer, a tasting session will let you tweak the menu or the dishes to your preference and help you avoid unpleasant surprises.
5. Allocate an Alcohol Budget
The next thing on your catering checklist should be alcohol. What’s a celebration without some champagne and other drinks, right? But alcohol costs comprise a significant chunk of your event catering budget.
To ensure you stock up enough, consider two to three drink servings per guest during the first hour. After that, cap it at one to two per hour per guest. This is a standard method of calculating drinks during catering menu planning, but it is not absolute.
Other factors come into play.
Your guests may drink more at an evening cocktail party compared to a corporate lunch, where most may not indulge in alcohol at all. Similarly, a bachelor or bachelorette party may have guests drinking more compared to an anniversary celebration for the grandparents.
So, when you are planning to serve alcohol, take the occasion, time of the day, weather, guests’ age, etc., into account.
For smaller gatherings at home, you can opt for a Bring Your Own Drink (BYOD) policy. That way, the invitees get to enjoy their favorite drinks, and you save up on your event catering budget. It’s a win-win situation.
As for mocktails, make sure you have enough to sustain your guests throughout the event, especially if you’re celebrating during the summer.
Choose the Right Partner for Your Event Catering
When you plan catering event, choosing the right vendor partner plays a crucial role in its success. Catering and event planning require a trustworthy partner who understands your requirements and spares no effort in bringing your vision to life.
As pioneers in the event space, we provide a luxurious venue in Glendale, ideal for hosting everything from corporate dinners to weddings, parties, and special events like quinceañeras. Our banquet hall in Glendale features stunning chandeliers, state-of-the-art amenities, and more. Besides being venue partners, we also offer some of the best event catering services.
You can also have us cater to your celebrations at home. We aim to fulfil all your event-related requirements in the best way possible.