One of the most important parts of an event is the food. I’m sure we’ve all been to an event that served dry chicken or soggy vegetables. It puts a damper on the entire experience. No one likes a hangry guest. When your guests’ bellies are satisfied, they’ll be able to enjoy the festivities with a smile on their faces. So, next time you’re looking at catering options don’t forget the steps our team at Navarra Venues share with you in this article.
Choosing the right catering options
There are many factors to consider when looking at catering options for your event. You might stick with the catering manager at your venue, choose a private vendor or do a mixture of both. Whatever you decide it’s important to remember the following:
Know your guests
When you’re deciding on the menu for your next event, consider the guests that will be attending. What age group are they? What is their profession? Do they go to events often? Is your event casual or formal? Will there be children at your event? Answering these questions can give you a good overview of the types of guests you are expecting. You can then plan the catering options accordingly.
For example, if your event is a formal occasion for business professionals, then consider a sit-down meal with multiple courses. If you’re hosting a casual event for a variety of ages, then you could serve fun finger food or hire food trucks. There are plenty of options to choose from, it all depends on what you think your guests will enjoy.
Consider your guests preferences
Once you’ve got an idea of your guest profile you can start to think about their preferences. You’ve got to think about what menu options you’ll provide. For example, an older crowd may prefer slightly milder food. A group of young professionals may prefer a mixture of food genres. If you are hosting an event for people in the fitness industry, you might want to add plenty of healthy options.
Being thoughtful about what your guests might prefer is important for a successful event. You don’t want to miss the mark and have people going home hungry.
Remember dietary requirements
When considering catering options, it’s important to ensure you cater for all dietary requirements. There is a range of food allergies, intolerances and preferences including:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Pescatarian
- Halal
- Kosher
- Gluten-free
- Lactose-free
- Nut-free
- Low FODMAP
It’s a good idea to ask people to send in their dietary requirements when they RSVP to your event. That way you can be prepared in advance. Make sure you have a few extra special meals on hand in case anyone forgets to tell you. If any of your guests have severe allergies, you need to make sure your caterer can safely prepare them a meal.
Choose a suitable meal for your event schedule
Think about the schedule of your event. How much time do you have set aside for meals? What time of day will your event be taking place? If you’re planning a morning event with some fun activities, then you could provide people with breakfast boxes and a coffee van. If you’re hosting a cocktail party, then maybe you’ll offer grazing boards or plates of nibbles. A daytime event with limited time for a lunch break might suit a buffet.
It’s important to have mealtimes fit in nicely with your schedule otherwise the event may not flow properly. You don’t want your event feeling disjointed. It’s no good when some people finish their meals before others have even gotten theirs. Speak to your caterer about what they can realistically achieve.
Keep it diverse
Diversify the flavour profile for your event. It’s a great idea to give your guests lots of options and genres to choose from. You can provide a variety of food from all over the world. This is sure to be a hit with everyone. If you’re planning a sit-down meal, then aim to offer options for each course. Entrees should have a minimum of two options, mains should be three and desserts should have two. This is just a guide, though generally the more options you offer the better, as long as it’s not overwhelming.
Wrapping up
No matter what type of event you’re planning, you should always ensure the food planning part gets the attention it deserves. If you serve mediocre food people are sure to leave with a bad taste in their mouth (literally). When looking at catering options remember to consider who’s coming, the timing and what your overall goal is.
If you’re a bit stuck, then check out Navarra Venues. We’ve got a venue for every kind of event, with different catering options for each. Give us a call to find out more.
