Whether you are hosting an event yourself or hiring a caterer, one of the first things you must do is come up with some good catering menu ideas to ensure that your guests are delighted with the food that is offered to them.
Of course, not all food selections will be appropriate for all events.
If you are having a shower you might want to pick certain types of foods that wouldn't be appropriate for something like an anniversary party or wedding reception.
Therefore, you want to choose your foods with careful consideration to the event they will be served at.
Catering Menu Ideas For Different Events Formal Reception If you are hosting some sort of formal reception like a wedding or anniversary, you will most likely want to include appetizers as well as some sort of sit-down meal.
Appetizers can range from cheese and crackers to bacon wrapped scallops depending on how formal the event is and how much money you want to spend.
The meal could be served or buffet style.
Either way, make sure you have a choice of beef and chicken as well as plenty for the vegetarians in the crowd.
Don't forget salad and dinner rolls and, of course, desert! Barbecue Switching gears from the formal to the informal, a BBQ calls for a whole different selection of catering menu ideas than a reception.
Barbecue's are relaxing and fun with people milling about so they are perfect for buffet style eating.
Just line up some tables and pile the food up on platters and warming trays.
Perfect foods include, BBQ Ribs, burgers, chicken wings, hot dogs, corn on the cob, potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni salad and fruit salad.
Backyard Party A big backyard party can be a fun summer event and, while these can range from small to large in size, you want to stick to similar foods as you would serve at a Barbecue.
A sit-down meal that is served by wait staff really isn't practical for outdoor parties so it's best to set up some tables for buffet style dining.
If you don't want the standard barbecue fare, then you might include things like chili, ham or roast setup at a carving station, pasta and so on.
Cocktail Party Catering menu ideas for cocktail parties are a bit different because these are not sit-down affairs.
Cocktail parties are generally pretty mobile with the party go-ers standing and moving around, so you want to choose foods that aren't too messy and are easy to carry around.
Something that can be speared on a toothpick and won't drip sauce all over your new party dress is ideal.
Of course, the standard cheese, crackers and grapes works great but you probably want to have some other appetizers too so your guests don't get bored.
Shower A shower is another type of event that doesn't really call for a sit down meal.
In fact, shower food should be "light" foods like finger sandwiches and things like potato and macaroni salad.
People like to nibble at showers and don't forget the deserts as those are key! These are just some quick catering menu ideas to get you to think about the types of foods that you might want to serve at different types of events.
Putting some thought into the food you serve ahead of time will help ensure that your event is a big hit!