5 Tips To Select The Ideal Menu For Your Event

As much as everyone has grown accustomed to ordering in from the place around the corner, working with an experienced catering service can give any occasion a professional touch that differentiates your event from just another meal. Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering with friends, a milestone celebration, or a corporate team-building event, enlisting the support of culinary experts can save you significant time and energy and allow you to enjoy the party without unnecessary stress. From trays of passed canapés to full afternoon tea sets, here are some of my favourite catering options for events of all types. —Donna Wadsworth

for daytime celebrations in the park. In the warmer months, outdoor events are a welcome invitation to enjoy the beautiful, sunny day ahead. But as much as we love the fresh air and sunshine, food options can be fairly limited with an outdoor venue. Whether you’re hosting a baby shower or kids birthday party, professional catering services can offer beautiful drop-off options that require little to no equipment. I recommend an afternoon tea set with delicate finger sandwiches, fresh-baked pastries and fresh fruit – your guests will be delighted to stay all day long.

for casual home happy hours. Waiting for an excuse to break out that bottle of wine or cocktail mix? Hosting a casual happy hour at home or in the backyard is one of my favourite summer activities, and if you’re cooking dinner afterwards, planning happy hour snacks as well can be a handful. Many caterers in the city offer drop-off services, so you can pre-order a few snacks, including charcuterie boards, cheese plates, or seafood platters to arrive right to your door as guests arrive.

for teamwork retreats. When you’re planning for large-scale corporate-style events, the number one thing to remember is that everyone has unique dietary restrictions and preferences. From custom meal kits to build-your-own buffets, a professional catering service will be able to offer custom orders and options to accommodate all your guests, no matter the numbers.

for formal evening celebrations. When it comes to weddings or milestone birthday celebrations, every detail has to be perfect – and this is where the expertise of a professional caterer comes in. Every event is unique, and that’s why catering companies offer so many dining styles and options to create a custom menu that is perfect for you. Starting with a few passed canapés or action stations is a tasty way to welcome guests, before transitioning to a formal sit-down dinner. Add an action station or two, such as a Gnocchi or Bao Bar, for a fun, interactive element.

for any occasion. Lastly, a necessity that is not to be forgotten … dessert! For the perfect conclusion for any occasion, caterers also offer a selection of sweets, such as cupcakes, cookies, or macarons, that can be added to any order as a tasty way to cap off any event. No party is complete without a celebration cake – an all-time party favourite!

Savoury City Catering owner Donna Wadsworth has seen it all in her decades of experience running catering companies and working as a chef across Canada and internationally. To create perfectly orchestrated events, Donna lives by the motto “fail to prepare then prepare to fail,” paired with a meticulous attention to detail and the ability to perfectly envision the flow of an event from beginning to end.