Easy Guide to Catering a Vegan Meal Spread

Posted on January 3, 2019 by cateringfft17

Veganism is a popular lifestyle choice that comes with a long list of mental and physical benefits. For this reason, it is very common to meet individuals who practice a vegan diet. If you are planning a gathering that includes guests who are vegan, you may want to consider including some vegan-conscious courses that will meet their dietary needs, as well as their taste buds.

Continue reading to learn some easy tips for creating a tasteful and proper vegan meal spread!

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Understanding Veganism

To better understand how to cater to vegans, it is helpful to learn what veganism is all about. A vegan is a person who follows a diet that is free of animal meat and by-products. This includes all dairy, such as milk, cream, cheese, and butter. It also include all animal meat and by-products, including poultry, beef, pork, lamb, eggs, and seafood. Some orthodox vegans also avoid using or wearing anything made from animals, such as leather, feathers, hides, furs, and more.

Beverages and Cocktails

There are endless choices for vegan beverages, alcoholic cocktails, and even mocktails. So long as you do not use any mixers that contain dairy, you are in the clear. Stick with lemonades, wines, beers, iced teas, hot tea, coffee, soda, juice, and liquor. Avoid milk-based products, or substitute them with coconut, cashew, or almond milk products.

Appetizers

Appetizers that are vegan are easy to come by. Summer is the time for fresh produce, so simply load up on all kinds of fruit and vegetables assortments, both raw and prepared. Grape and cherry tomatoes, zucchini, squash, broccoli, carrots, radishes, cauliflower, bell peppers, and more, are all fantastic options for color and taste. Try them in salads, on sticks, marinated, or dipped. Your vegan guests will love them all! You can also include vegetable and chickpea dips, like hummus, eggplant, onion, and more! Just be sure they are free of sour cream and dairy products.

Main Course

Whether dinner or lunch, your main course is simple to plan for a vegan guest list. Pasta is always a crowd pleaser, just avoid using egg noodles or sauce that contains meat or dairy. Or, choose hearty vegetables, like eggplant, cauliflower steaks, and portobello mushrooms, to substitute main course meat dishes. Tofu is a great option, too. When prepared well, these vegan courses are just as filling and delicious as meat. Pair these courses with delicious, vegan-style salads and sides, such as rice, quinoa, tabbouleh, couscous, vegan pasta salad, and any kinds of vegetables.

Dessert

Desserts are sometimes a challenge for vegans because most contain some form of dairy. However, there are excellent choices for vegan-friendly desserts, so long as you choose them carefully. Any type of cake, pudding, or cream pie will not likely be fit for vegans, so you may need to have them specially made using dairy substitutes, like almond milk, applesauce, and nut butters. Fruit smoothies are another terrific option so long as you use non-dairy milk, such as almond, cashew, or coconut. Any type of nuts are also a delicious option.

Custom Catering in Georgia

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for customized catering in Newnan, Georgia and its surrounding towns. Our expert catering coordinators and Executive chefs specialize in providing tailored menus and themes for all races, religions, ethnicities, and more. We can also accommodate special dietary requests and restrictions, including Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, food allergies, and kosher diets. Request a free quote, today!

Simple Catering Solutions for Casual Business Luncheons

Posted on December 20, 2018 by cateringfft17

For many businesses and corporate offices, luncheons are a company staple. They are the perfect alternative to formal business meetings, yet still effectively provide wide-ranging opportunities in terms of networking, free-associating, and advising. They also allow managers to hold a “working lunch”, thus improving labor and time efficiency. If you are an office manager or business owner looking for an affordable and simple way to cater your next casual business luncheon, you are in the right place.

Continue reading to learn some great catering ideas for an easy and budget-friendly office lunch.

Box Lunches

When you think of box lunches, you should be thinking convenience. They are the perfect match for working lunches since they are pre-arranged, quickly distributed, and easy to discard. Staff can eat and still concentrate on the topic at hand. And if they do not finish, they can take their box with them! Use the catered box lunch method for off-site meetings, working lunches, or just your everyday office lunch. They come in a wide variety of options, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and more.

Buffets

A buffet is the go-to option for a large-crowd, informal lunch or meeting. Attendees can make their own plates, and select exactly which foods and portions they desire. This reduces set up and distribution time, reduces waste, and aims to please every palette with a larger selection of foods. Easy and popular office buffets include taco bars, pasta bars, salad bars, soup and salad buffets, and much more. Buffets are easy to transport and set up too, making them the perfect solution for a budget-friendly, hassle-free office luncheon.

Party Trays

For those meetings with just a select group of employees, a lot of food is not necessary. This is where party trays come into play. Choose from an assortment of trays, including meats, cheeses, veggies, and condiments, as well as, desserts and fruits. These trays will keep your staff satiated and driven throughout the entire meeting. These are great for last minute or impromptu lunches because they are cheap, easy to prepare, and versatile.

Georgia Catering Professionals

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for office catering services in Newnan, Georgia and its surrounding areas. We provide a wide range of corporate and business catering selections, from party trays and boxes lunches, to buffets, dinner service, and much more. You can count on us to make your corporate event exactly what you intend for it to be because we customize our catering services around your specific needs. Call 678-340-0510 to request a free consultation, today!

Top 3 Reasons to Hire Professional Caterers for Your Special Occasion

Posted on December 11, 2018 by cateringfft17

Whether it is a wedding, Bar Mitzvah, family reunion, or similar noteworthy occasion, food is generally a focal point, and even highly anticipated. As the appointed party planner, this leaves you with a few options for food service. You can either cook the food and prepare the setup yourself; go with a “pot luck” approach and request that each guest contribute a dish of their own; or you can skip all the hassle and outsource professional catering services.

Although the first two options are not terrible ideas, they are not as sophisticated and tasteful dining selections for special occasions like weddings and other significant milestones. Self-catering and potlucks are great for informal events like backyard barbecues and family picnics, but not formal enough for a traditional ceremony or elegant gathering.

And this is just the introductory reason as to why you should hire professional caterers for your special occasion. Continue reading to learn the top 3 reasons why professional catering is best for formal events.

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❶ You Will Save Time and Avoid Hassle

Every detail of the preparation, presentation, menu, serving, and more are all thought out and taken care of by the professional catering company. Not having to waste time considering all of these details can truly reduce the stress and pressure a person can feel when planning a large event. Professional caters are extensively experienced in controlling the entire food process; from menu options to serving staffs.

Not only do they care for all the food planning and preparation, caters bring their own supplies, equipment, and often times, linens. This means napkins, utensils, plate ware, glasses, table cloths, condiments, serving dishes, and more are all provided by the catering service. Not only does this save loads of time and energy, it can save money as well. Purchasing all these items for one event can cost upwards of thousands of dollars. By outsourcing a catering company, they bring their own supplies and you do not waste money on items you will only need for one day or night.

❷ Professional Wait Staffs Take Care of Guests

Not only does having a professional serving staff scream elegance, it cares for many aspects of the catering job. For example, all catering servers are highly trained waiters and waitresses that have extensive experience in banquet-style serving. They come in full uniform, cleaned and pressed. They are there to cater to every guest’s needs; from refilling drinks to serving course after course, pre-bussing, re-stocking salad bars and serving dishes, and much more. Also, they are there to ensure there is enough food for everyone, and that everyone gets a hot plate no matter what happens.

❸ Breakdown and Cleanup is Covered

Professional serving staffs can also handle breakdown and cleanup. They will remain after the gathering to cleanup dishes, bus tables, remove dirty linens, replace chairs and tables to their original locations, break down serving stations, vacuum, dust, spot clean, and again, much more. Not having to wash dishes and cleanup after a party is a reason in itself to hire professional caterers for special occasions.

Professional Event Catering for All of Georgia

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Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for quality event catering in Newnan, Georgia. We offer a wide range of catering services for all industries, occasions, events, 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 provide assistance 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!

How to Select Alcohol Service for a Catered Event

Posted on November 28, 2018 by cateringfft17

If you plan on having an upcoming event catered, one of the most important decisions you can make is in regards to alcohol service. To serve or not to serve, and if you plan to serve, how and what should you serve? If these are like the questions running through your mind, continue reading to learn some helpful tips for making the right selections.

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First Make a Plan

There are several steps to take when it comes to making decisions about serving alcohol for a large group event or celebration. Some principle topics to consider when putting a plan together include the estimated head count, the budget, time and date, location, and theme (optional). Once your plan is made, you can choose a bar type, the number of bars you want, and how they will accept payment.

Then Choose a Bar Type

What type of bar do you want available to guests at your event? People do not usually realize there is more than one way to cater alcohol at parties, and even different ways to set up payment. Some of the most popular options include:

↠ Beer and Wine Bar – These bars will only serve choice beers and wines picked out by the host, you, or organizer of the event. This is a more economical choice if the budget is slim but alcohol is a must for your event.

↠ Full Bar – This is the pricier option, but the more fun option, none-the-less. This bar gives you all the advantages of a real bar in an actual restaurant or club. They serve everything from margaritas to Manhattans.

↠ Dry Bar – This is the cheapest option for your large group catering event, because it means there is NO BAR. This is more prevalent for school and church functions.

Decide on a Number of Bar Stations

Most catering companies recommend setting up a bar for every 75 to 100 guests, with the idea of having one bartender for every 75 guests. This is just a recommendation and is not mandatory, but if you want effective bar service at your event, it is suggested to have a sufficient amount of bartenders or bars. This will reduce traffic at the bars as well as long lines.

Choose a Payment Option

There are 3 popular ways to set up payment for your catered bar. You can choose an open bar, cash bar, or ticketed cash bar. A “host bar” is a scenario in which the host (that would be you) pays for all the drinks for the night. This is often referred to as an “open bar” to guests. This can be paid for by the drink, by the bottle, by the hour, or by the person; it all depends on your preference as well as what the catering company offers.

A “cash bar” is a bar set up in which guests pay for their own drinks. A cash bar is also called a “no-host” bar. You can also do a cash bar with tickets, which works by the hosting passing out drink vouchers to guests, who in turn, use them as currency for drinks. Once the vouchers are gone, guests are responsible to pay for their own drinks the remainder of the night.

Note: As far as budget, a cash bar would be the least expensive option because you only have to pay the company providing the service, not the service itself.

Budgeting an Open Bar

If budget is in question, but you really want an open bar, there are a few ways to save money. For example, it is common for the host to put a time limit on the open bar. So drinks are free for a few hours, then the rest of the evening guests are required to pay for their drinks. Another way is to allow beer and wine to be free but require guests to pay for any other type of cocktails or hard liquor.

Another common practice to save money on an open bar is to put a “cap” on the amount spent on the open bar. So the host can tell the bartender or catering company to serve cocktails for free until the cost reaches $1000, and from there, the guests are required to purchase their own drinks.

Newnan Event Catering

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Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for quality event catering in Newnan, Georgia and its surrounding areas like Peachtree City. We offer a wide range of catering services for all industries, occasions, events, 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 provide assistance with décor, themes, vendors, and more!

Helpful Tips for Kosher Catering

Posted on November 12, 2018 by cateringfft17

Kosher catering is a type of food serving that abides by the Kashrut, or the set of Jewish dietary laws. These laws involve hundreds of specifications asserting how Jewish meals should be prepared and served in adherence to the Kashrut. If you are interesting in hosting an event or gathering with kosher foods, but have no experience in kosher dining, you will need to study up!

Start by reviewing some basic, but helpful, tips about kosher catering, including important guidelines and more.

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Kosher is More Than Just Food

Kosher doesn’t just refer to the type of food. It is much more than that. So what exactly makes a meal kosher? The answer is a combination of things! There are several guidelines and rules that go along with kosher food service. These rules include everything from how the animals were put down and portioned, to the utensils and tools used to prepare the meal, and much more.

For instance, kosher meals must be prepared in a kitchen atmosphere that is also compliant with the Kashrut, as certain utensils and kitchen appliances are deemed either kosher or non-kosher. If a kosher item touches a non-kosher item, it cannot be used to prepare the meal. Also, all animals must be slaughtered by a professional that used techniques depicted in the Kashrut. Tools and methods must also be kosher and compliant with the Kashrut.

Kosher is Not Easy

As you can see, there are several complicated and difficult guidelines to remember and understand in order to cater a true kosher meal for a group of people. It requires an extensive amount of practice, commitment, and training to become proficient in kosher cooking and food service. For this reason and more, your best course of action is to consult a professional Newnan catering company for expert advice and recommendations. They will retain the knowledge and expertise of all guidelines set forth by the Kashrut, such as food preparation, serving, rules, and more.

In fact, you are better off hiring them for the job! A reputable and skilled catering company can provide full-proof kosher meal preparation, cuisine, and serving, as well as, manage all other important catering aspects of your event. If you want a flawless kosher meal catered for your friends and loved ones, consider hiring a professional catering company that offers custom services for Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, and all other Jewish holidays and occasions.

Specialty Catering in Georgia

Food for Thought Catering 678-340-0510

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for specialty catering in Newnan, Georgia and its surrounding towns. Our expert catering coordinators and Executive chefs specialize in providing tailored menus and themes for all races, religions, ethnicities, and more. We can also accommodate special dietary requests and restrictions, including Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, food allergies, and kosher diets. Request a free quote, today!

The Benefits of Catering Trays

Posted on October 26, 2018 by cateringfft17

Whether you are hosting a small party, or planning a magnificent wedding, catering trays are an excellent choice for your occasion! Continue reading to learn the various benefits of catering trays, as well as, some helpful tips for incorporating them at your special event.

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The food portion of any event is one of the most anticipated, which also makes it very important. What better way to satisfy the tastes of all your guests with a wide selection of easily-accessible finger foods? Catering trays offer your event this very advantage, and will certainly please even the pickiest of palate.

There are many additional benefits to using catering trays too. As finger foods go, they are always a crowd pleaser, regardless of how formal or informal the event. Here’s what catering trays can offer your upcoming occasion:

✔ A Variety of Options

Catering trays can contain virtually anything you want, and at any size. There are endless options to choose from, and they can be customized down to the smallest detail. They can all be personalized according to theme, season, personal preference, ethnicity, religion, food allergies, dietary restrictions, and more. Common selections for catering trays include fruits, raw or pickled vegetables, cured or smoked meats, cheese, crackers, breads, nuts, finger sandwiches, hot skewered foods, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and chocolates.

✔ Great For Virtually Any Event

Catering trays are great options for both informal and formal events. Informal events like business meetings, company picnics, girl’s night, game night, birthday parties, family reunions, baby showers, and more, are all perfectly suited for a spread of catering trays. Events that are more formal, such as weddings, engagement parties, anniversary parties, class reunions, charity balls, and more, are also well-suited for a deluxe spread of catering trays. Whether you are expecting 10 guests, or hundreds, catering trays are a great choice.

✔ Convenience and Peace of Mind

Catering trays will give you ample peace of mind because they are instant crowd pleasers, and they are very cost-effective. Furthermore, ordering and planning for catering trays is easy and stress-free since virtually everything is handled by the catering provider. This gives you more time to coordinate the music, guest list, venue, and décor. This convenient and efficient approach to catering an event is something to truly relish!

Where to Find Reputable Georgia Event Caterers

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Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for Georgia event catering you can trust! We are skilled culinary professionals who specialize in full-service party catering. You can customize everything down to the very last detail, from menus and service, to themes, décor, venues, and more. Request a free consultation, today!

Catering Ideas for an Autumn Wedding

Posted on October 10, 2018 by cateringfft17

Fall weddings are popular for many reasons. Not only does autumn deliver a stunning backdrop of magnificent sunset-like colors, it is also a time of moderate temperatures, mild weather, and delicious seasonal foods. These elements undoubtedly make fall a perfect time for a romantic outdoor wedding, regardless of formality.

If you are planning a fall wedding, whether this year or next, consider some all-time inspirational seasonal catering ideas that you can incorporate into your special occasion!

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Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

In the fall, some of the most admired seasonal foods are pumpkin, fig, sweet potatoes, winter squash, cranberries, persimmons, pears, apples, pomegranate, and beetroot. Also included are some of the classics, like zucchini, Brussels, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage, and potatoes. Even more include onions, leeks, radishes, kale, arugula, and chili peppers. When planning you autumn wedding catering menu, consider incorporating these seasonal foods into appetizers, main courses, desserts, and drinks, for a truly authentic and time-honoring occasion!

Hors D’oeuvres

Hors D’oeuvres are a popular feature at moderately formal to formal weddings. For less formal weddings, these are simply referred to as appetizers. The difference is usually the style and quantity in which they are served. Whichever style of pre-course catering you choose, think about adding in some seasonal elements.

For passed hors D’oeuvres, many have enjoyed persimmon bruschetta, pumpkin chickpea croquettes, butternut squash bacon bites, or figs stuffed with goat cheese. For appetizer trays, you can try a seasonal fruit spread, or a rustic bread selection with seasonal jams, preserves, honey, and apple butter. Platters of deviled eggs, glazed meatballs, eggplant dips, and more are also great.

Main Courses

Main courses are fun to create because you have so much to choose from in terms of seasonal flavors. Baked eggplants and squashes are always a hit, along with stuffed pumpkins or pumpkin soups, candied sweet potatoes, roasted seasonal veggies, succulent cuts of pork or beef, and much more. Have fun with the main course, and don’t shy away from turkey and cranberry sauce either!

Drinks and Desserts

Beverages, whether alcoholic or not, are easy to build based on seasonal flavors like pumpkin, pomegranate, fig, beetroot, and even chili peppers! Be creative and use quality mixers like apple cider, heavy cream, bourbon, and syrups. As for desserts, caramel apples and baked pear cobblers are classic favorites that incorporate well in wedding catering. Elaborate fruit platters are also a wonderful after-course cuisine to serve, since it both aids in digestion and cleanses the palate.

Georgia Wedding Caterers

Food for Thought Catering 678-340-0510

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for Georgia wedding catering that will thrill you and your guests! We are skilled culinary professionals who specialize in full-service catering. You can customize everything down to the very last detail, from menus and service, to themes, décor, and more. Call 678-340-0510 to request a free consultation, today!

Easy Tips for Catering a Football Party

Posted on September 24, 2018 by cateringfft17

Football season is something we all look forward to every year, giving us more reason to turn your favorites games into a celebration of friends and family. Hosting a football party is a fun responsibility, but still requires some forethought nonetheless. If you want to create a lively, entertaining atmosphere, make sure your guests are accommodated with delicious food and drink! Don’t want to deal with all the hassle? No problem!

Continue reading to learn some simple tips for catering a football party this season!

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✅ Plan the Menu

What kind of party do you want to throw? A big party with a lot of guests? A little get-together? Something informal? Something more formal? The amount of food and the style it is served will depend on these questions and more. If you are going for an informal party with just your closest friends and family, you may prefer a buffet-style menu that offers some American game classics, like wings, sliders, hot dogs, nachos, French fries, dips, and soft pretzels. If you are planning something larger or more formal, you may prefer to incorporate an actual pre-game sit down dinner that serves heartier, full course meals.

✅ Consider the Kids

If there will be children at your football party, it is recommended to create a separate kid-friendly, fuss-free menu that will please even the pickiest of eaters, such as chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, tater tots, mini corn dogs, hot dogs, and chocolate chip cookies. Furthermore, it will make your game time experience more enjoyable if you provide a separate “kiddie” table that is lower to the ground and easier for children to access. If you have older kids and teens attending, think about appointing them as servers and cleaning helpers!

✅ Set Up a Self-Serve Drink Station

Unless you want to appoint yourself as the designated bartender all day, don’t risk missing any game time moments and set up a self-serve drink station instead. Guests can grab a beer, glass of wine, or a quick cocktail all on their own, without asking you to serve them. Be sure the station has everything needed to serve the drinks you have made available, including ice (freezer, bucket or cooler), bottle opening, wine key, glasses, can/bottle holders, coasters, garnishes (lime wedges, bar olives, etc.), cocktail mixers, and of course, liquor.

How to Really Skip All the Hassle…

Hire a professional Georgia catering company for fast, affordable, and stress-free catering that tastes fantastic!

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Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for professional football party catering in Newnan, Georgia and its surrounding areas, including Peach Tree City, Raymond, Sharpsburg, Arnco Mills, Fayetteville, Whitesburg, Chattahoochee Hills, and more. We offer full-service catering for all sports-themed parties and occasions, along with a wide selection of authentic, custom-made menus and packages, for all corporate and private events. Get started by requesting a free estimate, today.

14 Types of Tables You Might Need at Your Wedding Reception

Posted on September 10, 2018 by cateringfft17

If you are preparing a floor plan for your wedding reception, the table set up will likely be first on the list of priorities. After all, people need somewhere to eat the food you’ll have catered. For this reason, apportioning table types and quantities is a helpful place to start when it comes to deciding on the reception floor plan. Not only must you decide which kinds of tables you’ll need at your reception, you must determine how many, where they will be, and which size linens they’ll need.

Continue reading on some helpful table tips for wedding receptions!

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Wedding receptions are parties, celebrating the joining of two families. They are filled with love, laughter, and fun. But in between the festivities and celebrating, there will be some dining as well. In this case, you will need tables that seat all your RSVP’d guests. Once you have your table count for guests prepared, you will need to get to work on the other tables you might want.

Here are the top 14 kinds of tables commonly incorporated into wedding receptions:

➾ Bar Tables – These are used for bartenders serving and preparing alcoholic beverages.

➾ Bistro Tables – Tiny, two to three person tables meant for standing or sitting at high-stooled chairs.

➾ Cake Tables – You might need a cake table for the wedding guest cake, as well as another cake table for the bride and groom cakes.

➾ Food Tables – When you have a catered wedding reception, you will certain need tables to house all the food. Depending on the size and scope of your event, you may need several food tables.

➾ Gift Table – People bring gifts to a wedding to celebrate the bride and groom. Be sure to have a designated table for placing such gifts, safely and in an organized manner.

➾ Guest Book Table – In addition to a gift table, a guest book table is a common and popular addition to a wedding reception. Use the list to write thank you notes later on.

➾ Guest Tables – As mentioned, the first count to take is the number of guests that will be attending. Be sure you have enough tables to accommodate them all.

➾ Head Table – The wedding party traditionally gets a head table, in which the bride and groom sit center. If this is how you plan to coordinate your reception, be sure to add this table in too.

➾ Kids Activity Table – If there are going to be a lot of kids attending your wedding reception, you may want to add in an activity table to thwart boredom and to keep them occupied. Go a step further and hire a babysitter to supervise children at this table.

➾ Memory or Photo Table – Photo booths are a new and popular option for wedding receptions. If you incorporate one into yours, add in an extra table on the side to hold the photos being taken. Place an album on the table for guests to add their pictures.

➾ Non-Alcoholic Beverage Tables – Like a bar table, you might want to designate one or more for non-alcoholic beverages. This could be easier for monitoring children and teenagers, or for avoiding long bar lines for a water or cola.

➾ Party Favor Table – Wedding receptions are parties, and at parties there might be favors. If you have party favors to give out at your reception, add in a table to house them all in an organized fashion.

➾ Reserved Tables – For elderly, honored, or special needs guests, you may want to add in some reserved tables that are close to the food, bathroom, or exit.

➾ Sweetheart Table – Sometimes, the head table only consists of the wedding party, while the bride and groom sit at their own, two-person table called a “sweetheart” table.

Custom Wedding Catering You Can Trust

Food for Thought Catering 678-340-0510

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for quality wedding catering in Newnan, Georgia. We offer a wide range of catering services for all industries, occasions, events, 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 provide assistance with décor, themes, vendors, and more! Request a free estimate, information, or advice, today!

Catering Tips for Buffets

Posted on August 27, 2018 by cateringfft17

Many people planning a party or event opt for buffet-style service over plated meals. It is a common and popular options because it provides several benefits in terms of convenience, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and much more. However, not every event is best suited for buffet catering, so be sure you know the difference.

If you choose to have buffets at your event, there are some important tips you need to know in order to ensure the best experience possible. Continue reading to learn these tips, including how to determine if your event is a good fit for buffet-style catering.

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Types of Events

As mentioned, not all events are good fits for buffets. For instance, if you are dressing up in black tie and formal wear, you wouldn’t expect to navigate through a buffet and serve yourself at dinner. So to help make the determination between plated meals and a buffet simply consider the type of event you are planning. The general rule of thumb is that the more formal the event, the more you should lean toward plated meals. If your guests are dressing up in jackets, dresses, gowns, or tuxedos, a plated meal service would be more appropriate. However, more laid back events, are well-suited for self-service.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. The higher the guest count gets, the less practical a buffet will be. Large events with hundreds of guests would not do well with a buffet, regardless of how formal or informal. The amount of time and space needed would be too much. Another exception are weddings. Weddings can be formal, but receptions are usually more informal. Wedding receptions would be well-suited for buffets, so long as the guest list doesn’t exceed 100 guests; then it could become less practical.

When to Choose a Buffet

Buffets are great options for parties that are offering more than one entrée option. This is especially helpful if you are unsure of the dietary restrictions or preferences of all the guests expected to attend. Another example of when buffets are a good choice is when you are planning an event that is not centered on a dinner. For instance, if you are hosting an event with a focus on a certain activity, such as a poker tournament or networking social, a buffet would be the perfect fit since it comes secondary to the main activity.

Quasi Buffet

For some events, having both plated meal service and buffets can be beneficial. This works by having salads and desserts on each place setting prior to guest arrival, followed by a buffet selection of appetizers and main courses. The advantages of a hybrid buffet approach is mostly centered on efficiency and convenience. Not only does it reduce the amount of foot traffic carrying plates from line to table, it makes certain a consistent start time for dinner.

Another optional approach to this type of buffet-service is to incorporate a “captain’s call”, which means that wait staff will alert each table when it is time to take their turn in the buffet line. This is especially helpful for events with a large guest count.

Professional Event Caterers You Can Trust

Food for Thought Catering 678-340-0510

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for Newnan event catering at an affordable price. We are seasoned culinary specialists with a passion to serve excellent meals with the highest level of professionalisms. 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 provide assistance with décor, themes, vendors, and more! Request a free estimate, today.