The style of dining service you choose for your catered event is an important decision. Whether you are catering your autumn wedding, corporate luncheon, or family reunion, the type of catering style will have a significant impact on the overall success of your event. Continue reading the learn the top four catering styles trending this year, and who to trust for professional Peachtree City Georgia catering services.
Dining Style Service Options for Catering an Event
No matter what type of event you are planning, it is usually the food and beverage selections that excite guests most. For this reason, it is important to really hit it out of the ballpark when it comes to planning your events catering. Along with what’s going to be on the catering menu, you will need to decide the style in which you will be serving your catered items. The top four styles of dining service for a catered event include cocktail style catering, buffet style catering, food stations, and plated dinner service.
Cocktail Style Catering
The cocktail style catering approach, you can expect your guests to have a selection of small plates, handhelds, outdoor herbs, and similar appetizer-style food options, as well as bar and beverage service. You can expect to have a variety of high-top cocktail tables for guests to stand that while they enjoyed their food and beverages, or you can opt for bar stool seating or traditional dining room table seating.
This type of dining style allows for more mingling and socialization, plus it tends to be more economical in price compared to full service catering. It is a great option for smaller venues, small events, and “pre-events” that take place prior to a larger event. Some people have complained that the style of catering does not provide enough food for guests and renders higher liquor costs.
Buffet Style Catering
Buffets are a popular and convenient catering style for virtually any type of event or special occasion. Whether you’re planning a wedding or hosting a charity fundraiser, a catered buffet is typically always a good fit. Buffets are usually more cost efficient, simpler to plan, and tend to make guests much happier because they have a wide selection of dining options. Buffets are highly recommended for large crowds and large catered events, such as weddings and family reunions, because they allow the event planner or host to accommodate a wide spectrum of tastes and dining preferences. And because guests serve themselves, you don’t have to pay additional fees for servers and waitstaff.
Food Stations
Food stations are somewhat similar to buffets and that they offer food and beverage variety. However, food stations are set up in a way that each individual table has a different type of food or beverage option. Raw bars, tapas, hibachi, “you-call-it” omelets, “make-your-own” pasta, “build-your-own” sundae, antipasto, meat carving, and similar food tables are popular and trending food station catering ideas this year. Keep in mind that if you want several food stations you will need a larger venue; but the great thing about food station style catering is that it can be accommodated to any size venue, small or large. Some no downfalls of food station style catering have been suggested to be the need to hire multiple chefs for each station.
Plated Dining Service
Plated dining services another popular catering style usually reserved for more formal events like weddings, fundraisers, galas, and similar ceremonial or official occasions. This type of catered dining service is fancier, more elegant, and therefore traditionally more expensive. Upon choosing this catering style, you also need a plan for plate-ware, tableware, tables and chairs, linens, waitstaff, and if you really want to take it up a notch, white glove service. Plated dining service is served by a waitstaff to all guests at the same time. Dinner options come from a predetermined menu that guests choose from when they RSVP to your event.
Are you looking for professional catering company in Georgia for your upcoming event? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 to speak with a friendly and experienced Peachtree City catering service manager, today.
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