When you’re planning an event, you have a to-do list a mile long. With so many different details to consider and tasks to coordinate, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Working with a local Tucson catering and event planning company can take some of the pressure off and give you the time you need to focus and make sure every last detail is perfect.
At Tucson Creative Catering, we specialize in unique, creative, and show-stopping catering menus. We are a full-service catering company in Tucson, AZ, which means that we also can help you with every detail of your event, from choosing decorations and entertainment to providing party rentals, bartenders, and serving staff. And of course, we’ll work closely with you to make sure your event’s menu is amazing. Here is our simple guide to designing the perfect menu for your catered event.
Consider the Reason for the Event
The type of event you’re planning will play a huge part in the style of your menu. A formal event like a fundraiser, corporate event, or gala will require a more formal menu with a seated dinner. A more casual event like a networking event, employee appreciation party, or birthday party can have a more personalized, creative menu that is coordinated with the event’s theme.
Review Your Guest List
Next, consider your guest list. If the majority of people on your guest list are age 60+, you might consider a more traditional menu and a plated dinner. If your guest list includes children and teens, you’ll want to make sure your menu includes kid-friendly food. For a guest list that includes clients, donors, or prospective clients or donors, you should try to create a more innovative, diverse, and upscale menu.
Ask About Food Allergies and Dietary Preferences
No matter the occasion of the event, the size of the guest list, and the demographics of your guests, you will need to find out if any of them have food allergies or special dietary preferences. Your menu should include at least one vegan or vegetarian entrée, not just side dishes. You should also offer options for guests that have specific allergies or are gluten-free.
Consider the Agenda and Flow of the Event
Your event agenda and how the event will flow will also play a role in designing your menu. If the event begins with a cocktail hour or networking opportunity, you will want to serve cocktails and appetizers or finger food for your guests. If you will have guest speakers or performers who are on a tight schedule, you might want to skip appetizers and cocktails and go straight to a sit-down dinner. If you want to encourage networking and conversation, you might plan a buffet-style menu where guests can easily mingle and move around the room.
Plan the Menu Around the Event’s Purpose
A festive event like a birthday party or anniversary party should have a more festive, celebratory menu. A casual event like a meet and greet or employee party may not require specialty cocktails or appetizers, or you may choose to only have appetizers and finger food and decide to forego a full dinner menu. If the event has a specific theme, like ‘Roaring 20s,’ ‘Under the Sea,’ or ‘Tropical Vacation,’ you can plan your menu around that theme.
Create a Balance
Another key part of planning a menu for a special event is to make sure you’re creating a balance. Even if your menu will only include cocktails, appetizers, and desserts, the menu should be balanced and consistent. You should work closely with your catering company to make sure the menu includes a balance of flavors, textures, and colors and a variety of different types of dishes.
Let Tucson Creative Catering Help You Design Your Menu
Our team at Tucson Creative Catering loves creating complex, varied, and innovative menus for events of all sizes in Tucson, AZ. We have earned a reputation for excellence in our field due to our attention to detail and commitment to quality ingredients that are fresh and locally sourced. We can handle events of all sizes and scales, from corporate fundraisers to birthday parties to weddings. Plus, we’re a full-service catering company, so in addition to helping you design your menu, we can also make sure you throw a memorable event that goes off without a hitch. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation for party planning, event planning, or catering in Tucson and the surrounding areas.