When planning an event, one of the most important decisions that you have to make is the food to serve. Planning the menu carefully will help to ensure that your event is successful and memorable. You can avoid making mistakes that can ruin your occasion or reputation. Whether you are planning a wedding or a corporate event, the menu you choose will be very important. The following considerations will help you with catering menu planning.
Consider your guest profile
It is important to know your guests so that you know the best food to serve them. When planning a corporate event, avoid having your event tagged as being part of the “rubber chicken circuit”. Choosing the menu carefully entails thinking about your guests’ professional level, the location, and even the ethnic or cultural background of your guests. If you are planning your wedding, think about the average age of your guests and consider special dietary needs.
Consider food preferences
Know your guest preferences in terms of the food they like. While it may not be possible to cater for every individual need, you can try as much as possible to give your guests options. You can meet different needs by offering milder menus for older attendees and thinking about health matters. Having vegetarian and seafood options can be very welcome. Consider what your guests would enjoy based on the type of event you are planning.
Providing menu choices
When planning an event, offer several choices in order to cater for different tastes. Consider offering a choice of two or three entrees and three or more options of salad dressing. Serve the condiments on the side and offer two or more dessert options. Giving options is the best way to cater for different needs and you should make sure that you choose seasonal and fresh items. Consider items that are in season in your region when planning the menu.
Event type and schedule
Make sure that you select a menu that will fit the event type and schedule. The theme of the event and the clock will guide you when planning the menu. Whether you are planning a breakfast, lunch or dinner event will determine the menu that you should choose. Remember that it will take longer to serve plated meals than buffets and this should guide your decision.
Anticipate special needs when planning the event and think about issues like food allergies, religious requirements and dietary restrictions. Make sure that you allow for a comfortable setup. Remember that the room layout and furniture setup will affect the food that you can serve.
