Holiday Catering Ideas: Make Your Event Memorable

The later months of the year are the most festive of them all. The Phoenix holiday catering season kicks off just before Thanksgiving and continues on through the New Year.  From company parties to family gatherings, there are a few emerging trends this year. If you’re planning to host an event, here are a few things you can work into your day to make it the most memorable one your guests attend this year and perhaps into the coming ones as well.

Holiday Catering Ideas

Diversify the Menu

The food selection is always the easy topic of choice among guests. As they mingle and break the ice, give them something worthy of discussion. Many people are seeking out healthier menus, regardless of the type of cuisine. Traditionally, hosts have served at least one small vegetarian dish, on the off-chance that a single guest or two is forgoing meat. However, as people are becoming more health conscious, there’s an expectation that there will be not only an ample vegetarian selection, but also vegan or gluten-free option.

Use Quality Foods

Beyond having a diverse menu, providing high-quality dishes is an absolute must. This begins with choosing Phoenix grown produce and meats, whenever possible, because it helps to ensure freshness. Organic and chemical-free or hormone free products are healthy options, and guests with a finely-tuned palate are sure to notice the difference in flavor. Higher-quality foods such as these lend themselves to exquisite dishes that people enjoy. Even if they can’t quite put their finger on why the food tastes better, they’re sure to notice the sumptuousness of the meal.

Create Hearty Menus

The winter season calls for rich and hearty dishes. Turkey with all the trimmings is certainly a hearty and traditional meal. Roast beef is also popular custom and can be paired with many sides. It’s a little more difficult to create a rich vegetarian dish, but a casserole or chunky vegetable stew is sure to keep your guests warm and full. You can also consider thicker soups, such as squash or broccoli cheese. Appetizers like meatballs or stuffed mushrooms tend to be favorites during the cooler months and you can add a touch of seasonal color to salads by using dried cranberries. One of the biggest trends in holiday catering in Phoenix, has been is the arrival of petite deserts. Red velvet cupcakes topped with creamy swirls of icing are well received during the holidays. Tarts or miniature pies filled with pumpkin or spiced nut filling combine traditional staples with modern appeal.

Rustic or Industrial Venues

Perhaps it’s the changing economic times or the surge in popularity of DIY craft projects, but venues which are raw, or unfinished in appearance seem to book faster than posh ones. An industrial or rustic venue can either be highlighted with décor, or it can fade seamlessly into the background. Often, these buildings possess historical or old-world charm, which coordinates well with the nostalgic feelings that Christmas brings.

Intimate Settings

More people are electing to host smaller parties as well. Even corporations, which once held a single giant bash are breaking up festivities into several, smaller intimate gatherings instead. Because there are fewer people at each, a smaller venue can be selected and it encourages more socialization. However, even if a larger group is brought together, the feeling of closeness can still be created by arranging tables a specific way or by utilizing food stations. It’s possible to set up a venue in a manner which encourages, if not requires, people to come out of their shells and chat. Overall, these interactions are what makes a party memorable, just as much as the cuisine.

Themes

Despite the obvious Christmas theme which is often used in holiday catering, more people are opting for non-traditional concepts instead. Especially in the Southwest, Spanish themes are hugely popular. A Tuscan vibe also works well and can be interwoven beautifully in a rustic venue. However, nowadays, hosts are turning to pop culture for inspiration as well and it’s easy to design décor and a menu around a favorite winter movie or book. This season, there will likely be many events designed around the popular movie, Frozen. Although it’s a family story, it can lend itself well to an overall ice queen theme, or even something as simple as classic flurries. Here in Arizona, a holiday party is just about the only place a person gets to enjoy the snow.

Overall holiday catering trends are leaning more toward the simple pleasures in life. People want good food and real interactions. They’re more aware of costs and often prefer unadorned settings or a back-to-basics feel. Even in corporate gatherings, employees have an expectation of simplicity and among family events, they’re just happy to be together. After all, that’s what the holidays are for.