Tips for Catering a Luau Party

One of most exciting parts to planning a luau get-together is planning! There are so many options when it comes to luaus. Planning consists of coordinating the music, food, décor, guest list, attire, and more! Think about what a luau should have, then use these things to build a luau theme! Things like pineapples, tiki torches, grass skirts, hula-hoops, little drink umbrellas, and more can all express the best parts of a luau. Here are some fun catering and menu ideas for a well-planned luau celebration:

Roasted Suckling Pig

This is a highlight, and often main attraction, for any luau! Although a bit pricey and complicated to set up, a roasting pig in the middle of a luau party is mist pleasing. The smell is enticing, making everyone at the party anticipate its tasty offerings. Contact your local grocery, butcher shop, or catering company for details on how to roast a suckling pig at a Hawaiian themed party. They can sometimes provide all the parts and equipment necessary to facilitate this project. It is much cheaper to rent all the needed equipment rather than investing it a roaster for just one party. If you intend to make this an annual occasion, then buying a pig roaster is a fantastic investment!

Pineapple-Based Cocktails

It is very popular these days to have a “signature” cocktail at a party. For a luau, why not use the ever-so-delicious pineapple to make this happen? Use the pineapple meat and juice to blend a natural smoothie, and then use the actual pineapple as the cup! Decorate it with little pink umbrellas, straws, or tiki figurines. You can purchase these decorative items at any local party store.

A popular pineapple cocktail recipe includes mixing pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, coconut rum, simple syrup, and grenadine together. You can either muddle and pour over ice, or blend in a blender. Also good options for Hawaiian parties are any frozen or slushy, especially shaved ice, as well as, pina coladas and similar tropical drinks.

Appetizer Ideas

Other than cocktails and the main course, people need party snacks. One of the most liked is Hawaiian sweet bread and spinach artichoke dip. Another great luau appetizer is chicken and pineapple kabobs, exotic fruit spreads, seafood dishes, and seaweed soup. For a more modern twist, incorporate poke bowls with fresh, raw fish and seasonings. Additional fun and fresh ideas include acai bowls, sushi, ham and pineapple flatbreads, giant fruit platters, and whole-fried fish. You can easily find recipes for all these everywhere online!

Or Simply Opt for Professional Luau-Themed Catering…

If you really want to make your luau party planning easy and hassle-free, just have it professionally catered! Catering companies are in the business of delivering delicious and creative food service for parties just like an end-of-the-summer celebration. Skip all the hassle of planning and preparation, and leave it to professionals to coordinate, setup, and implement all aspects of your Hawaiian-themed party. Best of all, it is more affordable than you think, and potentially equivalent to the cost of providing your own party spread.

Where to Get Themed Party Catering Services in Central Georgia

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for professional themed party catering services in Newnan, Georgia and its surrounding areas, including Peach Tree City, Raymond, Sharpsburg, Woodsmoke, Wood Valley Estates, Arnco Mills, Fayetteville, Whitesburg, Chattahoochee Hills, Palmetto, and more. We offer full-service catering, along with a wide selection of authentic, custom-made menus and packages, for all corporate and private events. Request a free estimate, today.

Georgia Catering Services 678-340-0510

When it comes to planning a formal event, like a wedding or baby shower, there are several common catering mistakes to avoid. For occasions such as these, it is normal for the catering expenses to make up nearly half the total budget; or more! The level of investment is what makes it such a valuable part of party planning. Guests always remember and discuss the food portion of parties, so great catering can truly upgrade the pleasure and entertainment.

Continue reading to learn how to avoid common catering mistakes before planning your next special event.

Do Not Cater on Your Own

Many people think it’s a great idea to just cook the food themselves, perhaps to cater a party on a tight budget, or to impress guests with their culinary skills. Either way, both reasons will not be good enough when catering a special occasion. There are so many aspects of catering that non-professionals are not aware of, such as maintain safe food temperatures, hot plates and other catering equipment, plate ware, silverware, napkins, re-fills, cooking times, and more. All these aspects of catering are lost to the DIY type. If you plan to cater a party on your own, you can also plan to not be a part of that party because all your time will be used up cooking, cleaning, re-filling, and maintaining the food for guests.

Not only can catering your own event take up all your time and drive you mad, it is much more expensive than hiring a catering service. You must keep in mind that you will be expected to provide everything from food, serving trays, silverware, napkins, condiments, ice, drinks, alcohol, catering dishes (i.e. hot plates, cold plates, etc.), and possibly even tables and chairs. A professional catering company can provide all these things, as well as a staff, to coordinate catering responsibilities for your party. All for one inclusive price! In most cases, catering a special occasion on your own gives a party an unrefined and informal ambience. It is highly advised to always outsource professional catering services.

Keep the Menus Simple

Although you may have a well-refined palate, the guests at your event may not be so cultured. A common, but understandable, mistake people make when catering a wedding or other formal party, is choosing a menu of foods that are too sophisticated for most people’s tastes. It is understandable because a lot of people want their events to be elegant and formal, but it is still important to “cater” to everyone’s penchants for food. Also keep in mind that children might be present, and people may have food allergies.

Choosing a formal but simple menu can please everyone’s lunch, dinner, or snacking needs. Foods such as duck or quail, and roasted turnips and tamarind glaze, are a little too exotic for most people, and will go uneaten, wasting the money spent on such extravagant catering. Take in mind the general “culture” of people attending your party and use that idea to put together a menu. Keep it simple with popular fruits, vegetables, entrees, meats, appetizers, and desserts.

Hire a Skilled Company

It happens all over the country. Families hiring caterers that are not what they claim to be. Be sure to hire the right catering company that can satisfy all your catering needs. It is important that the catering company is extensively experienced and has a good reputation within the community. Read customer reviews and ask for references before hiring a catering service. Many people hire a catering service expecting certain amenities, only to find out too late that they don’t offer what they need. If you need staff, equipment, and a full service catering job, ensure that the company can offer more than just food that you have to pick up yourself. Food delivery, food maintenance, staffs, dinnerware, all the way down to the tablecloths, can be provided by a reputable and well-established catering company. Be sure you are getting what you paid for.

Professional Event Catering for All of Georgia

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for professional event catering in Newnan, Georgia. We offer a wide range of catering services for all social events, occasions, industries, and more. Choose from our popular catering menu, or work with our catering coordinators to customize a menu according to your particular needs and interests. We can also help with décor, themes, vendors, and more! Call 678-340-0510 to learn more about our Newnan catering services, or to request a free estimate, today!

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Monthly Archives: July 2020

How to Cater a Luau Party for the End of Summer Vacation