One of the most important considerations for an event is the menu. It is easy to get fixated on the entertainment or the decorations, but most people who attend your special event will remember the food long after the last song has finished playing. To pull off a truly spectacular event, make sure you have taken the time to plan a menu that meets the needs and preferences of all your guests.

Start With Your Guest List in Mind

The needs of your guests should always be the starting point in designing your menu. An office lunch for a group of professionals has very different requirements from a wedding reception, so begin by considering who your guests are. Take into account their ages, ethnic backgrounds, and individual preferences. It is unlikely that your menu will please everyone, but it should be designed to meet as many different needs and wants as possible.

You should also consider how formal or informal your event is meant to be.

And how that fits in with the overall vision for the event. A formal cocktail reception with a multi-course plated dinner is very different from a casual buffet. Once you have established your guests’ needs and wants, as well as the type of event you are hosting, you will be much better prepared to develop a preliminary menu.

Don’t Skip Dietary Accommodations

Most people who are planning an event for a group larger than a dozen or so will quickly discover that many of their guests have specific dietary needs and preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or nut-free diets. You need to make sure your event menu accommodates them properly.

A good way to do this is to ask guests to RSVP and indicate any allergies or dietary restrictions they may have.

This will give you a good idea of what restrictions you need to work with as you finalize your menu.

Make sure you choose a caterer for your Vancouver event who is also willing to modify the menu to accommodate dietary restrictions, as it is important to make your guests feel welcome and cared for.

Choosing Between Buffet, Plated, and Family-Style Service

The next thing to consider when you are choosing an event food catering Vancouver company for your occasion is the type of service they offer. There are three broad types of food service styles used at events: buffet, plated, and family-style.

Buffet style is ideal if you need to cater for many people at once and the occasion is rather casual. Guests can be served what they like and in the quantities they like, which leads to a lot of customer happiness. It can also be cost-efficient, as it usually requires only a few serving staff. The drawback is that it is very informal, which might be a bit disappointing. Also, unless carefully planned, it may create long lines and congestion.

Plated style: It offers a more pristine, formal experience suitable for a wedding or a high-end corporate dinner. All the guests receive identical plates of food at the same moment. As a result, the ambiance is harmonious and grand-looking. However, it requires more staff and tighter timing because the dishes must be served hot and fresh at once.

Family-style service falls somewhere between the two aforementioned styles. It involves placing large shared platters at every table, from which each guest serves themselves. In fact, they can do so through a more intimate, connected experience—events where guests are encouraged to chat and socialize while enjoying the meal benefit most from this method.

Think About the  Season

The greater Vancouver area is fortunate to have access to a wide variety of local foods, from seafood to fresh produce. When developing your event menu, consider incorporating local seasonal specialties. Not only are they fresher and more flavorful, but they are often less expensive as well. Local caterers can help you select menu items that are perfect for the time of year your event is held, without compromising on quality. Menus often change with the season, and this is a good way to showcase the wide variety of local specialties available in British Columbia year-round.

Important Questions to Ask

There are many factors to consider when selecting a catering company, and not all of them are related to the menu. The following questions are an excellent starting point:

• Can they accommodate your guests’ needs and dietary restrictions?
• Will they supply the staff needed to prepare and serve the meals, or will you be required to supplement their staff?
• Are there any restrictions or additional charges for menu tastings?
• What are their policies regarding adding or removing menu items?
• Are they able to provide references or testimonials from other clients?

Getting clear answers to these questions can prevent unpleasant surprises down the line.

The Final Word

When planning the menu for your special event, it is important to consider more than just the food. You should take into account the service style, your guests’ dietary restrictions and preferences, and seasonal specialties. Once you have done that, it is much easier to make the final selection from among the many Vancouver catering companies that are vying for your business.

Crave Catering offers the expertise of professional event planners who can help you make the best choices without breaking the bank, so you can enjoy your event without worrying about the food.