How to Properly Store Your Catering Leftovers

Posted on June 21, 2022 by cateringfft17

Catering service is an excellent and reliable asset to use for your party planning needs, so long as you choose the right company, of course. The right caterers can customize your event menus, prepare all foods and meals, plus provide a wide range of vendor procurement, food delivery, waitstaff service, and cleanup options. Professional catering is the convenient and cost-effective approach to pulling off a memorable and successful event.

But when you cater a large group, you are bound to have all sorts of leftovers. From salads and hors d’oeuvres to breads, sides, main courses, desserts, and more, catering leftovers are a food-lover’s dream. But in order to take full advantage of them all, you must know how to properly store them. Not only does proper food storage extend the life of your leftovers, allowing you to enjoy them until they are done, but is also avoids the chances of food-borne illnesses.

Continue below to learn some tips on how to store catered leftovers so that you can safely and cost-effectively feed your crew for weeks to come!

Catering Peachtree City Georgia 678-340-0510

Your Leftovers Have Value

Although you have no option but to toss out old or expired foods, it still impacts your conscience knowing that you could have prevented them from spoiling so soon. Food waste wastes more than just foods, it also wastes money, and worse, makes you feel guilty. After taking home all of the leftover catered foods from your party or event, it is in your best interest to properly store them in a timely fashion so that you can safely serve and enjoy them for as long as possible. After all, catered food is so delicious, you wouldn’t want to miss out on a single bite!

Food Storage Tips for Leftovers

According to Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN, and owner of Real Nutrition NYC, the biggest error of judgement you can make when it comes to leftovers is letting them sit out for too long. She urges people to “Leave leftovers out for no more than two hours at room temperature. Otherwise, bacteria grows, which is one of the biggest causes of foodborne Illness.”

According to another expert, Angela L. Murad, RDN, wellness dietitian at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program, another common mistake made with leftovers is not marking their containers with labels and dates. Furthermore, try to assign a use for them, like using leftover French fries in a morning omelet or scramble. You can also place notes out to remind you when to reheat them or use them in a recipe.

The Best Way to Store Leftover Food

All leftovers should be broken down into smaller portions and allocated evenly into airtight containers. If you do not have airtight containers, plastic bags that are tightly sealed work well. After repackaging, it is encouraged to label and date the containers for optimal organization. So, where do you store them and how long will they last there? Depending on the type of food, you may need to separate your leftovers between your fridge and freezer, while some good might even be stored in the pantry or on the shelf.

RULE OF THUMB:

Basically, if it has been cooked or cooled, it needs to be refrigerated or frozen when it becomes a leftover. Be sure your fridge is set between 36 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit. If you cannot use these items within the suggested time limit, it is recommended to freeze them. However, it is not recommended to freeze cheese or hard-boiled eggs! Breads and pastries can be transferred to a breadbox or airtight container in the pantry.

Flash Guide for Leftover Food Storage:

◘ Leafy Salads – 1 Day
◘ Creamed Salads (Egg, Chicken, Tuna, Macaroni, etc.) – 3 to 5 Days
◘ Pasta Salad – 4 to 5 Days
◘ Hard-Boiled Eggs – 1 Week
◘ Hard Cheeses – 3 to 4 Weeks
◘ Soft Cheeses – 1 Week
◘ Casseroles – 3 to 4 Days
◘ Mashed Potatoes – 3 to 4 Days
◘ Cooked Pasta (No Sauce) – 2 to 3 Days
◘ Gravy & Sauces – 1 Week
◘ Pizza – 3 to 4 Days
◘ Cooked Seafood – 3 to 4 Days
◘ Vegetarian Rice and Pasta Dishes – 3 to 5 Days
◘ Steaks, Pork & Chicken – 3 to 4 Days
◘ Soups and Stews – 3 to 4 Days
◘ Cooked Vegetables – 3 to 4 Days
◘ Cookies, Pies & Cakes – 1 Week

Are you looking for a professional and experienced catering company to help make your upcoming event a success? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for trusted Peachtree City GA catering that delivers above and beyond your expectations. We also help with décor, themes, vendors, and more! Request a consultation, today.

Impress Your Guests With This Easy Greek Lemon and Feta Meatball Recipe

Posted on June 2, 2022 by cateringfft17

If you love a well-balanced, rich, and pastoral meat dish, lamb is a go-to entrée to add to your list of menu items. In fact, try this highly-rated recipe for Greek-inspired Lemon and Feta Meatballs, which are made with fresh mint, ground lamb, and a succulent tomato-based sauce. If lamb is not your thing, you can swap out lamb for ground turkey or ground chicken!

Greek Style Catering Peachtree City Georgia 678-340-0510

Greek-Style Lemon and Feta Meatballs Recipe

Traditional Greek meatballs are called Keftedes. These delicious Grecian crudites are compatible with many pairings. If you want to stick with Greek cuisine, serve your meatballs with sides like Mediterranean salad, lemon orzo, fusilli pasta, toasted pita, hummus, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, tomato and cucumber salad, french fries, and tzatziki sauce.

This modern take on the classic keftedes recipe will yield around 36 two-inch meatballs. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

What You Will Need to Make the Meatballs:

❏ 2 Pounds Ground Lamb
❏ 3 Tablespoons of Water
❏ 1 Large Egg
❏ 1 1/4 Cup Breadcrumbs
❏ 1/2 Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
❏ 3/4 Teaspoons of Table Salt
❏ 2 Garlic Cloves – Minced
❏ 3 Tablespoons of Chopped Parsley
❏ 2 Tablespoons of Tomato Paste
❏ 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
❏ Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
❏ 1/2 of a Lemon for Zest

What You’ll Need to Make the Sauce:

❏ 1 Medium Yellow Onion – Finely Chopped
❏ 1 Garlic Clove – Minced
❏ 1/2 cup of Red Wine or Dry Vermouth (optional)
❏ 1 Can of Crushed Tomatoes – 28 Oz.
❏ 1 Teaspoon of Dried Oregano
❏ 1 Teaspoon Table Salt
❏ 1/3 Cup of Kalamata Olives – Pitted and Chopped
❏ Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
❏ 1/2 of a Lemon for Zest
❏ Juice of 1 Lemon
❏ 1 Tablespoon Thinly Sliced Mint Leaves – Plus Additional for Garnish
❏ 2 Tablespoons Roughly Chopped Parsley – Plus Additional for Garnish
❏ 1/4 Cup Crumbled Feta for Garnish

Cooking Directions

Start by preparing the meatballs. With the exception of the oil, combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl.

Wet your hands and begin forming 2-inch meatballs. Place them on a flat surface covered in wax or parchment paper.

Preheat your skillet to medium heat. Add in olive oil and then place your meatballs in the pan. Brown each side for a couple of minutes. Do not worry about cooking them all the way through.

Note: It is normal for meatballs to stick to the pan. This is fine, and in fact, enhances the flavor of the sauce you will be preparing soon!

Once browned on all sides, drain your meatballs on a plate lined with paper towels.

Directions for Sauce

Drain the fat from the skillet, leaving in at least 1 teaspoon for further cooking. Then set your skillet to medium heat.

Once hot, add in your garlic and onion and allow them to cook down for a few minutes.

Note: Now is the time to add in your wine or vermouth if you like. Use this liquid to scrape up the bits of meat stuck to the pan.

Next, add in the tomatoes, salt, oregano, pepper flakes, olives, lemon zest, mint, and parsley. Bring everything to a simmer.

Once simmering, add the meatballs to your pan and cover it with a lid. Cook on a low simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.

Garnish with the juice of 1 full lemon, thinly sliced mint leaves, roughly chopped parsley, and crumbled feta.

Throwing a soiree soon and need someone to do all the cooking and serving for you? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for an economical solution to social event catering in Peachtree City and its surrounding areas. Our Newnan Georgia caterers offer comprehensive catering services, from custom menu curation and preparation to delivery, setup, breakdown, waiter service, and more.

10 Ingredients That Will Transform Your Deviled Eggs Recipe

Posted on May 19, 2022 by cateringfft17

Deviled eggs are one of the most classic and predictable go-to dishes for entertaining guests. Not only does everyone gravitate toward them at the buffet counter, but they are very easy to make and immensely reliable. But if your deviled eggs formula has gone unaltered for more years than you can count, it may be time to mix things up a bit! There are several ways to enhance a tired, outdated deviled eggs recipe, and we want to reveal some of the most exciting ones!

Continue below to learn 10 ingredients you can add to your traditional deviled eggs recipe that will instantly take them to a whole new level of deliciousness!

Local Caterers Peachtree City GA 678-340-0510

Impress Your Guests With These Unique and Delicious Deviled Egg Upgrades

Caviar

Caviar generously decrees indulgence and luxury, which is why this delicacy so thrilling to come by at a party. Astound and delight your guests by topping off your regular deviled eggs with a caviar garnish. In fact, add in some crème fraiche to compliment the saltiness of the caviar. If caviar is out of your budget, substitute salmon roe instead! It’s delicious both ways!

Smoked Salmon

In addition to salmon roe deviled eggs, you can go another way with salmon. Adding buttery smoked salmon garnishes to your classic deviled eggs recipe is an easy and elegant upgrade that won’t set you back in terms of budget. Rather than a garnish, consider chopping up the smoked salmon and folding it directly into your egg mixture. Or do both! Here’s a bonus hint: skip the egg mixture and fill your hard boiled egg halves with tuna salad or jumbo lump crab!

Truffle Oil

Who doesn’t love truffles and truffle oil? Truffle oil makes every better, from French fries and grilled steak to salad, roasted vegetables, and even vanilla ice cream! But when it comes to deviled eggs, truffle oil seems to really elevate the flavors. Top your eggs with a drizzle or mix in a few tablespoons into your egg mixture! Take it up a notch by garnishing your truffle oil deviled eggs with chopped black truffles or truffle salt.

Bacon

Bacon is similar to truffle oil in that it simply makes everything taste that much better. Savory or sweet, bacon is flat-out delicious. Upgrade your regular deviled egg recipe by incorporating your favorite kinds of bacon. Chop up bacon and add the bits into your egg mixture, top your eggs with bacon crumbles, or garnish each egg with a slice of candied bacon!

Jalapeños

This idea came about when someone forgot to buy relish for their classic deviled eggs recipe. She chopped up some jalapeños, muddled them just a bit to extract some juices, then tossed them straight into her egg mixture. The result was spicy and delicious! It is recommended to use pickled jalapeños for the egg mixture, then garnish the eggs individually with a fresh jalapeño slice. You can also make Sriracha deviled eggs. They are so good!

Wasabi

If spicy deviled eggs are what you are after, consider adding in some wasabi for a different kind of kick! Wasabi is easy to incorporate into deviled eggs because it can be used directly in the mixture or dollops on top as a garnish. Just be sure to warn your guests that these deviled eggs are extra spicy! Along with wasabi, garnish your deviled eggs with some dried seaweed or black sesame seeds.

Cheeses

Like many other delicious things in the world, cheese a trustworthy ingredient to use for an instant recipe upgrade. Fold in some sharp cheeses into your deviled egg mixture to bring your deviled eggs to the next level. Consider cheddar, blue cheese, Gorgonzola, and chopped Gouda.

Pesto

Pesto is another potent ingredient that can instantly update classic deviled eggs recipe by adding depth and richness. Mix 2 tablespoons of pesto directly into your egg mixture or top your eggs with a drizzle or dollop of pesto. You can even leave a side dish of pesto sauce for dipping. Take it to the next level by making your very own homemade pesto sauce!

Lemon Juice

You can use lemon juice to brighten up a tired and outdated deviled eggs recipe. You will be amazed at the difference! Just add 1 to 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to your deviled eggs mixture, the finish by garnishing the deviled eggs with some brightly-colored lemon zest.

Food Coloring

Although it won’t necessarily change the taste of your classic deviled eggs recipe, adding a little bit of food coloring can be really fun for your guests! You can even use vegetable juices as food coloring, like beet juice, carrot juice, and turmeric. For instance, soak your hard-boiled eggs in beet juice to turn them red or purple! You can also use food coloring in just your egg mixture, turning your deviled eggs from white and yellow to white and blue or white and green, depending on your mood or theme of course!

Additional Toppings and Garnishes:

▸ Avocado
▸Curry Powder
▸Everything Bagel Seasoning
▸Sesame Seeds
▸Chives
▸Olives
▸Radishes
▸Cucumbers
▸Pickles
▸Dill

Are you looking for a Georgia caterer who can bring your party food visions to life? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for quality Peachtree City GA catering. We also help with décor, themes, vendors, and more! Request a consultation, today.

Enhance Your Event With These 3 Catering Tips

Posted on May 5, 2022 by cateringfft17

If you in charge of coordinating a special event for work, an organization, or your own family, take it to the next level with smart catering. Continue reading to learn 3 essential catering tips that will guarantee a successful outcome for your event or party.

Event Catering Peachtree City Georgia 678-340-0510

Focus on Food Above All Else

Let’s face it the most anticipated part of any special event or party is the food. Everybody’s hungry and everybody wants to eat. If you are serving alcoholic beverages at your event, it is imperative that you provide a selection of foods to balance out the celebratory environments. Because food is the most important part of your event, do not be afraid to put most of your focus on catering. If you’re catering is smartly coordinated, the remaining elements of your event should naturally fall into place. After all, guests mostly remember the food and entertainment portions of an event.

The Top 3 Catering Tips You Should Know

❶ Avoid the Most Common Catering Mistakes

Many party planners to make the same kinds catering mistakes. Fortunately, this allows people like you to learn from their mistakes before making them yourself. By avoiding common catering mistakes, you can ensure that your event is streamlined and successful.

Do Not…

► Fall short on establishing a strict RSVP policy. By knowing how many guests you can expect to be in attendance, you can better calculate how much food and beverage is required.

► Skip planning your budget. Budget is everything when it comes to catering plans. If you want to be cost-efficient, it is important to know how much catering budget you have to work with.

► Failing to compare catering options. There is more than one catering company out there, so be sure to interview a few in order to get the best

► Forget to incorporate dietary restrictions. Think about dietary restrictions and preferences like gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian, vegan, peanut allergies, fish and shellfish allergies, and other common food allergies and intolerances.

❷ Curate a Tasty and Diverse Menu

There are endless items you can add to your catering spread, just be sure to choose a well-rounded assortment of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and sides that will meet the palate of the average guest. Try to avoid too many exotic or fancy foods when feeding large crowds. Instead, aim for popular and universally-liked foods and drinks. Basically, skip the escargot and stewed ostrich, and opt for more conventional trimmings like beef, chicken, potatoes, and pasta. Don’t forget about dessert and coffee selections. Work with a professional caterer to coordinate the perfect catering menu for your event.

❸ Hire the Right Professional Caterer

Caterers and catering companies are listed everywhere around you. So, how do you know which company is the right one? To find a trusted and qualified catering service, look for the key industry credentials: good reviews, experience, proof of culinary skill, and flexibility. Be sure to have consults and interviews with a few different companies before landing on a decision. Never be uncomfortable asking for references, estimates, and special services. Interviewing allows you to get to know the attitude and ambience of the company, learn the services they can provide, and even hear some creative ideas they have on the tops of their heads!

As for cost, many people do not realize that professional catering services are often more cost-effective compared to purchasing groceries, products, and similar provisions yourself. Think about it; you can have all the labor, service, food, and cleanup all taken care of by one team of catering experts! Do not be tempted by low prices; these prices speak directly to the type of food you’ll be getting. It there is anything to go over budget on; it would be the food every time. Do not take short cuts when catering a party or event!

Are you looking for a professional caterer in Georgia to use for event catering? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 to speak with a friendly and experienced Peachtree City catering service manager, today. We offer boxed lunches, delivery service, buffets, plated meals, food service, and more!

Have You Caught Wave of Seacuterie Boards?

Posted on April 20, 2022 by cateringfft17

You’ve certainly heard of the popular go-to appetizer trend known as charcuterie boards, which feature an infinitely-customizable selection of sweet, savory, and salty finger foods. From crackers, pretzels, and French baguette slices to cured meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, jams, honeys, and more, the choices are truly endless with charcuterie board curation. There is no surprise they are such a hit at gatherings, formal and informal!

But trending this year is a new spin on charcuterie making, and appositely named seacuterie! Pronounced sea-coot-ur-rhee, the name suggests exactly what it’s all about. Seacuterie boards feature a selection of seafood and ocean-based novelties that bring out the sea legs in all of us. But do not make the mistake of imagining an icy seafood tower. No; seacuterie boards are about leisurely grazing, not dripping and melting.

Continue below to learn why these alternative charcuterie boards are so popular, plus how to curate one for yourself!

Charcuterie Near Me Peachtree City GA 678-340-0510 — Charcuterie Catering – Peachtree City, GA – Call (678) 340-0510

Seacuterie Boards Work for All Occasions

Although Brooklyn Chef David Burke was the first to serve a seacuterie back in 1988, they have made a bright comeback as a reinvented and popular appetizer trend, and for good reason. Whether you are hosting family dinner or a cocktail party, a seacuterie board will impress and delight all your guests.

Not only do seacuterie boards offer a unique and creative way to enjoy well-known aquatic dishes, but shareable foods are on high demand right now and effectively bring people together! With a wide selection of possible inclusions, curating your own seacuterie board is both easy and fun! So, you really don’t have to stop at one.

Elements of a Seacuterie Board

Well, imagine smoked, cured, preserved, and dried ocean fare, all offering a wide variety of tastes and textures. Opposite of seafood towers and platters that feature shellfish on a bed of ice, seacuterie boards offer up a selection of time-friendly rillettes, pâtés, terrines, confits, foie torchons, piperade, dips, spreads, dried fishes, and seaweed.

From smoked mackerel and salmon dips to lox, caviar, roe, shrimp torchon, smoked oyster piperade, marinated tuna confit, cured fish, dried kelp, and more, you can deliver a unique tasting experience for your guests and loved ones.

You have to think about pairings if you want to aim for the best tasting experience. Pair your seacuterie with Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, and accompany it with pickled condiments like radishes, capers, pickles, onions, cucumbers, and beets, as well as treats like crackers, baguette slices, wafers, bread sticks, smokey sauces, lemon wedges, cream cheese, and peppers.

Are you interested in exploring catering options for your upcoming event or party? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for customized catering in Peachtree City, Georgia for corporate events, social events, wedding events, and more. We deliver full-service catering for small and large gatherings.

Catering Ideas for Easter Dinner

Posted on April 6, 2022 by cateringfft17

Meal planning and preparation can be quite stressful during the holidays. Although Easter is meant to illicit rest and relaxation by time spent with loved ones, making all the arrangements can be a little distracting to your family’s meaning of Easter Sunday. For this reason and more, consider having your Easter dinner catered professionally this year! Rates are more affordable than you think, and just imagine how much time you will save! Spend your Holiday this year in peace and harmony by letting the pros handle your menu arrangements. And don’t worry, you still get to have all the fun making the menu selections, decorations, and more.

Continue below to review some traditional and not-so-traditional Easter dinner meal ideas, plus who to trust for superior holiday catering services near you!

Easter Catering Peachtree City Georgia 678-340-0510

Easter Dinner Catering 2022

When planning your Easter dinner catering spread, it is encouraged to still incorporate your personal, family customs and traditions. Working one on one with your catering manager will allow them to include these important elements into your dinner, giving you a more familial and authentic experience that will create lasting memories among your loved ones and guests.

Also, do not be afraid to ask your catering company to provide egg decorating services! They will be happy to provide a spread of perfectly hard-boiled eggs and all the accoutrements to decorate them accordingly.

Menu Ideas for Easter Dinner

When it comes to planning your Easter dinner catering menu, you can opt for traditional selections, nontraditional selections, or combination of both. Across the board, you want to include some key elements to your catering menu. For Easter dinner, consider starting off with soup and a bread roll selection, followed by a main entrée (or selection of entrées), accompanied with meal-appropriate side items, and finally, dessert and confectioneries.

Here are Some Easter Dinner Selections to Consider:

Easter Soup and Bread

Easter dinner loves all soup, from rich and decadent soups like lobster bisque, French onion, and corn chowder, to conventional soups like tomato, vegetable, and cream of chicken. But for real pizazz, try an Easter-themed soup: carrot soup! Be sure to serve your soup with a selection of bread rolls, like cornbread, croissants, French bread, brioche, rye, focaccia, ciabatta, garlic bread, crackers, and any other type of bread you wish to offer.

Easter Main Course

Traditionally, Easter dinner is served with a main entrée of glazed baked ham. Baked hams are wonderful entrées to incorporate for any holiday dinner because they are easy to serve, highly versatile, and they make excellent leftovers. But if you want to do things a little differently this year, accompany or replace your conventional Easter ham with something new, like Shepard’s pie, chicken pot pies, whole roast chicken, rack of lamb, lamb chops, baby back ribs, smoked hens, quail, roast duck, or even a Turducken! There are also decadent vegetarian and vegan catering options that are worthy of being an Easter dinner main course, such as eggplant Parmesan, ratatouille, vegan stuffed bell peppers, spaghetti and tofu meatballs, and much more.

Easter Side Dishes

When it comes to planning side dishes for your Easter dinner, focus on both traditional holiday foods and seasonal foods. Consider selections like corn pudding, honey-glazed carrots, creamed spinach, potatoes au gratin, quiche, baked beans, white bean salad, pesto pasta salad, and any roasted or grilled spring vegetables.

Easter Dessert

Easter dessert is usually candy, but you can give the adults a selection of sweets to choose from too! For Easter, go traditional with a lavish carrot cake or carrot cupcake assortment. Also consider fun, Easter-themed desserts like Cadbury Crème Egg Lava Cakes and Peeps smores! Other popular options include layered cakes, cake pops, pies with berries, trifles, fruit and yogurt parfaits, meringue cookies, vegan cheesecake, cannolis, and more.

Are you ready to get in touch with a professional, skilled catering manager and begin planning your Easter dinner? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 to request a free estimate for Peachtree City catering, today. We cater all events and occasions, no matter the size or scope.

Full Course Catering Menu Options for Vegetarians

Posted on March 24, 2022 by cateringfft17

According to a recent poll taken by Gallup.com, more than 5% of Americans claim to be a vegetarian, while many more take on the resolution every single day. Additionally, many faiths and cultures maintain a diet that is free of meat and meat by-products. Now more than ever, vegetarianism is making its way into the mainstream culinary arts with fervor and success because it promotes healthier eating, mindful consumption, and farm-to-table practices. Many people eat a mostly-vegetarian diet and don’t even realize it! So, if you are planning a party or event for vegetarians, don’t feel limited or intimidated by the job. You can look forward to creating a custom vegetarian menu from an array of endless and delicious options!

For some instant inspiration or ideas, continue reading for a full course vegetarian catering menu, plus information on where to get trusted catering services near you.

Vegetarian Catering Peachtree City GA 678-340-0510

Vegetarian Catering Menu Options

Appetizers and Hors d’Oeuvres

There are several appetizers and Hors d’Oeuvres to choose from when custom creating a vegetarian catering menu. From finger foods and charcuterie to bread selections, hummus cups, canapés, tapenade, and more, the selection is more than generous. Here are some popular choices to consider:

▢ Bread Roll Platters
▢ Caprese Salad Skewers
▢ Bruschetta
▢ Stuffed Mushrooms
▢ Edamame
▢ Cucumber Cream Cheese Boats
▢ Stuffed Jalapeños
▢ Artichoke Hearts
▢ Flatbreads (Try Mushroom/Gruyere, Truffle Parmesan, or Fig and Goat Cheese)
▢ Vegetable Spring Rolls
▢ Macaroni and Cheese Cups
▢ Hummus Platter
▢ Cheese and Crackers
▢ Charcuterie
▢ Veggie and Ranch Dip Platter
▢ Chips and Salsa/Guacamole
▢ Falafel
▢ Hush Puppies
▢ Tapenade Platter

First Course Options

When it comes to the first course, it is important to provide foods that will satisfy and spark hunger, but not fill your guests up completely. After all, when serving a full course meal, the first course is always followed by the main course. So, think light, like salads and soups. Here are some functional and tasty first course options that meet vegetarian catering guidelines:

🥗 SALADS:
▢ Leafy Green Salad (Spinach, Caesar, Garden, etc.)
▢ Caprese Salad
▢ Watermelon Feta Salad
▢ Cucumber Onion Salad
▢ Mushroom Vinaigrette Salad
▢ Tabbouleh
▢ Baba Ghanoush
▢ Meatless Pasta Salad (Pesto, Italian, Creamy, etc.)
▢ Thai Papaya Salad
▢ Fruit Salad
▢ Cottage Cheese and Pineapple
▢ Waldorf Salad

🍵 SOUPS:
▢ Potato
▢ Broccoli Cheddar
▢ Mushroom
▢ Vegetarian Chili
▢ Gazpacho
▢ Tomato
▢ Cauliflower
▢ Butternut Squash
▢ Pumpkin
▢ Black Bean
▢ White Bean Chili
▢ Pea Soup

Main Course Options and Sides

For the main course, you are free to go big. Focus your meal selections on savory foods that fill up the belly and satisfy the palate. When choosing your main course items, consider seasonal foods too, like pumpkins and apples in the Fall and oranges in the summer. Here are some delicious and versatile main course options for vegetarian catering:

▢ Eggplant Parmesan
▢ Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers
▢ Ratatouille
▢ Fettuccine Alfredo
▢ Spaghetti w/Mushroom Ragù
▢ Vegetarian Pasta
▢ Cacio e Pepe
▢ Black Bean Cheese Burgers
▢ Grilled Tofu
▢ Mushroom Wellington
▢ Cheese Stromboli/Calzone
▢ Vegetarian Lasagna
▢ Mushroom Stroganoff

SIDES:
▢ Macaroni and Cheese
▢ Potatoes (Mashed, Baked, Scalloped, Sweet, Tots, Fries, etc.)
▢ All Vegetables (Steamed, Stewed, Grilled, Roasted, Fried, etc.)
▢ Mashed Cauliflower
▢ Rice
▢ Beans (Baked, Black, Refried, Lima, etc.)
▢ Onion Rings
▢ Coleslaw

Vegetarian Dessert is Easy!

Dessert should not be a problem for vegetarian catering planning. Not many desserts are made with meat. Steer clear of maple bacon options and bacon jams, and you should do well!

Are you looking for a qualified catering company to help plan your custom vegetarian or vegan catering menu? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for customized catering services in Peachtree City, GA and its surrounding counties.

Top 3 Options for Effortless Corporate Seminar Catering

Posted on March 10, 2022 by cateringfft17

So, your company has a corporate seminar event coming up in a few weeks and you are in charge of planning the meal service? No need to panic. Corporate catering services are here for you. However, you will need to decide on a type of corporate catering service. Fortunately, that’s simple too.

When you want an easy and effortless catering plan for a company conference or seminar, choose from these top 3 corporate catering options!

Corporate Catering Peachtree City GA 678-340-0510

Informal Catering for Corporate Luncheons and Seminars

When it comes to corporate catering, the setting is generally less formal, making it much easier to plan and execute a catering plan. The top 3 corporate catering options that will make your life easier and please all guests are buffets, boxed lunches, and party trays. Whether your company seminar is scheduled for the duration of a weekend, an overnight stay, or a portion of a day, these top 3 corporate office catering services are convenient and compatible!

How do you know which style of office catering to choose from? Choose one based on the number of people you are feeding, the location of and setting of the seminar, the length of time for eating, and your company’s budget. A professional corporate caterer can help you with all of these decisions and more! For instance, if your company seminar is just a few hours, party trays would make an excellent pre-meeting or post-meeting catering option, but it would not be best for a weekend long company event.

Party Trays and Platters

As just mentioned, party trays are the most informal and simplest office or corporate catering option. They are most compatible for corporate events that are smaller and shorter, like business luncheons, team meetings, afternoon training seminars, networking events, think tanks, and similar company occasions. Party platters are easy and effortless, plus they offer infinite versatility. You can arrange all sorts of combinations of party trays, from a selection of sandwiches, pinwheels, and wraps, to a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, crackers, cured meats, cheeses, charcuterie, breads, and desserts. They are also the most cost-effective option of the three.

Boxed Lunches

Boxed lunches are another perfect corporate catering option for the less formal company event or seminar. They are also compatible for events that last a bit longer, like an entire day or an overnight stay. You can even cater corporate boxed breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for an entire weekend. They are served in an appealing container fashion that is both elegant and sanitary. They are also easy to pass out and can be customized according to dietary preferences or restrictions. As for budget, they are in the middle of the range, being affordable and worth the cost, but pricier than party platters.

Buffets

For a semi-formal, formal, or lengthier corporate seminar, a buffet or selection of buffets is an excellent catering option to choose. Like all catering, they can be 100% customized to your liking, or you can simply choose a theme and let the catering company take the liberty of planning a balanced offering. Buffets are also great for company events because they are self-serving, which is easier and often preferred by guests. Best for dinner service, buffets can offer a wide selection of hot foods and cold foods. When it comes to pricing, you can expect buffet catering service to be a bit more, but always worth the cost.

Are you looking for a professional catering company for your company event? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 to speak with a friendly and experienced Peachtree City catering service manager about our corporate event catering services, today. We serve all of Peach Tree City and its surrounding locations.

3 Easy Dinner Party Menu Ideas That Will Please Your Guests

Posted on February 22, 2022 by cateringfft17

So, you’re hosting a dinner party for a large crowd? Well then, you will surely want to know the secret to making dinner party planning and hosting easier than getting a manicure. That secret is to skip out on the cooking part! Hiring a professional catering service to prepare and deliver your dinner party menu will save you time, frustration, and more importantly, money.

Not only will a qualified caterer manage the planning, preparation, and if you so choose, the delivery of your dinner menus, thus eliminating stress and giving you more time to focus on other important aspects of your party, but they will also save you money by selectively curating a menu that will not render any excessive waste. When you have a skilled catering team helping you with your dinner party spread, the only decision you need to make is regarding the actual food!

Not sure what to cater at your upcoming dinner party? Continue below to review 3 top-recommended dinner menu ideas that are proven hits among party guests!

Taco Bar Catering Peachtree City GA 678-340-0510

Try These 3 Menu Ideas for a Deliciously Satisfying Dinner Party

Tacos

You can never go wrong with tacos. Everyone loves tacos! They are extremely universal, capable of being glammed up to a fine-dining level or kept traditional and authentic. A taco bar can be perfectly customized to offer all sorts of options, allowing guests to be creative, plus build a taco to their personal liking.

Base options include corn shells, stand-alone shells, taco bowls, burrito bowls, and a selection of tortillas, like corn, flour, whole grain, low carb, and street style. As for fillings, you have endless options, like ground beef, chicken, steak, pork carnitas, refried beans, black beans, grilled fish, ground turkey, and shrimp.

When it comes to toppings, your options are vast. Traditional toppings to consider are lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickled jalapenos, chili peppers, fajita peppers, shredded cheese, cojita cheese, queso, guacamole, sour cream, salsas, hot sauces, cilantro, avocado, and radishes. Compliment your tacos with a selection of sides like nachos, tortilla chips, Mexican rice, refried/black beans, green salads, elote, churros, flan, fried ice cream, and more!

Barbecue

Like tacos, almost everyone is a fan of good barbecue. How could you not? Smoked meats, hearty sides, sweet and tangy sauces, and Southern desserts are universal comfort foods. For your upcoming dinner party, consider a barbecue spread! Your catering company might be able to offer on-site spit roasting and barbecuing too! This just adds to the fun and flair of serving barbecue for your dinner party guests.

Some main options for barbecue catering include beef brisket, smoked chicken, pulled pork shoulder, smoked sausages, whole hens, and burnt ends. As for sides, you can go as traditional or innovative as you like, but the classics would be cornbread, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, corn on the cob, baked beans, collard greens, coleslaw, and pickled peppers and onions. For dessert, think pies, parfaits, and cobblers! Fried apples and cinnamon are always a hit too!

Pizza

We know what you are thinking; pizza? It’s been done. But when it comes to serving a large crowd for a dinner party, pizza is always a safe option and it’s super simple to plan. Even if a person doesn’t think they are in the mood for pizza, they tend to eat and enjoy it, nonetheless. Best of all, pizza is highly-versatile.

Not only can you offer a wide selection of pizza styles and combinations, but you can also incorporate a build-your-own pizza station that allows guests to have little fun with their food. Choose one style of pizza or offer many, like Chicago style, Detroit deep dish, New York thin crust, Italian wood-fired pizza, or flatbreads. With toppings, you know the drill, choose as many as you like!

Offer traditional toppings like pepperoni, sausage, steak, chicken, and veggies, as well as more daring toppings, like fried egg, hot peppers, rare cheeses, pickled or caramelized onions, cured meats, marmalade, honey, balsamic glazes, fresh herbs, and more. You can also offer a selection of base sauces, like olive oil, marinara, red sauce, pesto, and Alfredo. Pair your pizza selections with desserts like cannolis, tiramisu, cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip cookies, and gelato.

Looking for a Georgia catering company that can deliver an exceptional spread for your upcoming occasion or party? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 to learn your options for custom dinner party catering in Georgia. We serve all of Peachtree City and its surrounding locations.

A Simple Guide to Afternoon Tea Service Catering

Posted on February 16, 2022 by cateringfft17

If you are planning a special occasion or event that is fast approaching, but you are still unsure about the catering menu, perhaps you might consider afternoon tea service. Afternoon tea service catering is the perfect choice for birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers, business meetings, luncheons, and more. It delivers an ambience of elegance and sophistication, plus serves as a responsible and cost-effective way to stave off hunger before the main meal is served.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about afternoon tea service catering, including how to choose a tea selection, which items to consider for your food platters, and most importantly, where to find trusted professional catering company that can bring your afternoon tea vision to life.

Tea Party Catering Peachtree City GA 678-340-0510

What is Afternoon Tea?

Established by the English back in the early 1800s, hot afternoon tea quickly became a highly civilized and sophisticated ritual among the British elite. It was traditionally served prior to a meal in order to satisfy hunger without filling up too much. You may have heard of afternoon tea, as well as high tea and cream tea. And believe it or not, there is a difference. Afternoon tea is also referred to as Low tea because it is meant to be served seated, and at a low table. It is traditionally served around 4PM with a lighter selection of foods, such as finger sandwiches, sweets, and scones.

High tea, as you have probably guessed it, is served at high tables, and typically following a workday, around five or 6 o’clock in the evening. With high tea, heavier selections of foods are served, like baked beans, stewed vegetables, meats, and casseroles. Cream tea is tea that is served with clotted cream and scones. It can also be served with biscuits or cookies. It is traditionally served following a meal, more like a dessert tea, or even for breakfast.

Tea Options

Did you know that all tea is derived from the same plant, which is scientifically known as Camellia sinesis? Interesting; right? Well, when it comes to serving tea at your catered event, you have the liberty of choosing whichever teas you prefer. Traditionally, breakfast teas or black teas are selected, however you can also throw in decaffeinated tea options, such as chamomile or other types of herbal teas too.

You can also choose your own selection of tea accompaniments, such as lemons, milk, cream, sugar cubes, sugar substitutes, cinnamon sticks, cinnamon, nutmeg, and more. With the help of your Peachtree City catering company, you can also select your own China and table settings. It is recommended to pair your tea service with bouquets of flowers and soft linens to create a truly authentic and memorable experience.

Side Note: Get creative and serve iced tea instead of hot tea for a summertime event!

Food Pairings For Afternoon Tea

When it comes to afternoon tea, the hot tea is not the only focus. The Food pairings that go along with your afternoon tea are just as important. Most often, you can expect tea service to include finger sandwiches, crudités, miniature quiches, small sweets, biscuits, and scones. Within these primary categories of afternoon tea foods, you can create all sorts of flavor combinations for each. Traditionally, afternoon tea foods are served on a tray with 3 to 4 tiers. Each tier should showcase its own category of foods.

The lowest tier, or the bottom tier, is generally reserved for foods like finger sandwiches. These are generally the first foods reached for once afternoon tea is poured since they are the savory ones. Finger foods can be sandwiches with egg salad, cream cheese and cucumber, deli meats, jams and dried meats, and any other combinations you so desire.

After you have a few sandwiches, that is when you want to start reaching for the scones, which should be placed on the second or middle tier. Scones are denser pastries with a biscuit-like consistency. They offer a little bit of savory and little sweetness. But as we all in one, making them the perfect snack in between finger sandwiches and sweets. It is traditional to serve scones with clotted cream, fruit preserves, lemon curd, and even some herb-infused butter.

Finally, on the top tier should be the sweets. Traditionally served sweets at afternoon tea include combinations of mini cupcakes, fruit tartes, canapes, shortbreads, macaroons, cream puffs, cake bites, petit fours, mini eclairs, or similar miniature sweets.

Are you in for a professional caterer in Georgia who can bring your afternoon tea service vision to life? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 to speak with a friendly and experienced Peachtree City catering service manager, today. We serve all of Peachtree City and its surrounding locations.