Staying in is the new going out. The pandemic, rises in living costs and changing attitudes and trends mean that many of us now enjoy entertaining at home. If you’re planning a party, there are few things more important than feeding your guests. In this guide, we’ll outline some top catering hacks to help you delight the masses.
Buffets
Buffets are the ultimate option for large parties and themed celebrations. A smorgasbord of different delicacies and morsels, you can choose hot, cold or a combination of both. The beauty of a buffet is that it gives you the freedom to celebrate specific cuisines, run with a theme or simply put together a selection of your favorite snacks and dishes. Buffets also tend to be cost-effective and they’re great for gatherings that involve different ages or groups of friends and family members.
Pizza
It’s virtually impossible to go wrong with pizza, especially in the age when you can click a button to place an order and choose from menus with endless options. Pizza deliveries are ideal for saving time and effort and they cater to a wide audience. Almost everyone loves pizza. In the US alone, 350 slices are consumed every second. To maximize your chances of securing the title of the host with the most, it’s beneficial to plan ahead. If you don’t already have a go-to pizzeria, tap restaurant near me pizza into a search engine, browse menus and read reviews. If you’re a member of a local social media group, these are fantastic fonts of information. Ask around for advice and recommendations. Make sure you’re aware of dietary requirements before you order and give yourself plenty of time during busy periods. You don’t want to keep your guests waiting.
Canapés
For exclusive dinner parties, special celebrations or events that are designed to showcase your culinary skills or creative flair in the kitchen, canapés are a must. Delicate, bijou treats, canapés are ideal for keeping hunger at bay without overwhelming guests before the main meal. Popular examples of crowd-pleasing canapés include smoked salmon blinis, mini pastries, honey-glazed sausages, prawn cocktail cups, arancini, satay skewers, sliders, and asparagus bites.
Brunch
Brunch has never been more on-trend. A weekend staple for many, brunch has transcended the dining out scene to become a popular catering option for home-based gatherings. The best thing about brunch is that it offers options for cooks of all abilities. From basic recipes to fancy dishes you can rustle up at home to delicious, fresh pastries and cakes you can order in, you can create a menu that caters to your budget, the amount of time you have, the size of the party and the type of celebration. Popular brunch dishes include smashed avocado with tomato, feta or eggs, omelets, shakshuka, French toast, eggs Benedict, pancakes with maple syrup and crispy bacon or yogurt and juicy berries, and Belgian waffles.
Finding the right catering options for a party is one of the most important tasks to check off your list of hosting jobs. If you’re planning a gathering, why not consider these options to feed the masses? Buffets, pizza deliveries, canapés and brunch dishes are perfect for parties of all sizes.