Central to any successful company party is great food and drink. Usually the hardest part of planning a party is deciding what to serve. Some parties feature appetizers, some offer full sit-down meals, and others will have a buffet that could include separate stations for each food type, ie., salad, meat, seafood or desserts.
Keep in mind that the time of day for which your party is planned will directly affect the type of service and the amount of food you will require. So will the expectations of the guests. But the most important factor that will dictate the style of catering you choose is your budget. A sit down dinner generally costs more, and the added cost of the serving staff must be factored in. A sit down dinner also requires sufficient space, with more room needed for tables and chairs.
If your event plan calls for a buffet style gathering remember that tables will be needed for catering equipment such as chafing pans. For holiday celebrations, when traditional turkey or roast beef will be on the menu, space will be needed to accommodate a chef carving station as well. Appetizer events need only presentation tables if your budget does not provide for wait staff to serve guests. A preparation area, however, is likely needed for this option. The staff kitchen can often do the trick. Ask your caterers.
Working with a smaller event planning budget? Don't worry. Choose menu items that will allow the catering company to simply drop off your choices. All you will need then is a table large enough to accommodate your menu items, and of course dishes and silverware to go with them.
Your event will have a better shot at success if you keep the following in mind:
- Office food etiquette. You probably know your office well so plan for their likes and dislikes. Have an office full of women? Pay attention to the food's presentation and perhaps offer some lighter selections. As a rule, chocolate goes over well. A construction company, however, will want a very different type of menu, one with filling and tasty home-style portions.
- Be sensitive to the ethnic and religious requirements of the staff within your workplace.
- The quantity of food you will need to provide depends on the number of people attending and the time of day at which your function is taking place. Luncheons usually require less food than evening functions.
For a cocktail style party:
- Light: 3 to 5 pieces
- Medium cocktail party: 5 to 8 pieces
- Full meal: 8-15 pieces per person
- Dinner for cocktail parties: 15-20 pieces
- Glassware, China and Cutlery: Renting what you need will make event planning a breeze. And it's eco friendly too. Your caterer should be able to provide you with these items. If you choose to use disposables, choose a catering company that uses eco-friendly products. Make sure to arrange for the delivery the day prior to your planned event or party. This ensures that you are ready to set up the day of the event. Early delivery allows you to check for missing items and gives you time to fix any problems.
- Double up on everything. Your guests will likely leave glasses, plates and cutlery wherever they go. Planning on two of everything per guest invited is a smart event planning strategy.
- Serving. If you are not hiring serving staff, a buffet is the way to go. Stack plates at the start of the buffet line, and place cutlery and napkins at the end. Guests will appreciate not having to balance multiple items while they serve themselves.
- If you have the space available, set up several areas for food. This ensures that everyone will not crowd the same buffet table at once. Always make sure there are plenty of napkins, plates and cutlery at each table.
- Go for the wow factor. If your budget allows, go the distance with butler service. Your colleagues will love you for providing them with an elegant experience that says they are the best.
Planning the food for your in-house office party will be easier if you remember to think everything through from the needs of your guests and keep your budget in mind. Who knows? You might just become the indispensable party planner your company just can't live without.
Keep in mind that the time of day for which your party is planned will directly affect the type of service and the amount of food you will require. So will the expectations of the guests. But the most important factor that will dictate the style of catering you choose is your budget. A sit down dinner generally costs more, and the added cost of the serving staff must be factored in. A sit down dinner also requires sufficient space, with more room needed for tables and chairs.
If your event plan calls for a buffet style gathering remember that tables will be needed for catering equipment such as chafing pans. For holiday celebrations, when traditional turkey or roast beef will be on the menu, space will be needed to accommodate a chef carving station as well. Appetizer events need only presentation tables if your budget does not provide for wait staff to serve guests. A preparation area, however, is likely needed for this option. The staff kitchen can often do the trick. Ask your caterers.
Working with a smaller event planning budget? Don't worry. Choose menu items that will allow the catering company to simply drop off your choices. All you will need then is a table large enough to accommodate your menu items, and of course dishes and silverware to go with them.
Your event will have a better shot at success if you keep the following in mind:
- Office food etiquette. You probably know your office well so plan for their likes and dislikes. Have an office full of women? Pay attention to the food's presentation and perhaps offer some lighter selections. As a rule, chocolate goes over well. A construction company, however, will want a very different type of menu, one with filling and tasty home-style portions.
- Be sensitive to the ethnic and religious requirements of the staff within your workplace.
- The quantity of food you will need to provide depends on the number of people attending and the time of day at which your function is taking place. Luncheons usually require less food than evening functions.
For a cocktail style party:
- Light: 3 to 5 pieces
- Medium cocktail party: 5 to 8 pieces
- Full meal: 8-15 pieces per person
- Dinner for cocktail parties: 15-20 pieces
- Glassware, China and Cutlery: Renting what you need will make event planning a breeze. And it's eco friendly too. Your caterer should be able to provide you with these items. If you choose to use disposables, choose a catering company that uses eco-friendly products. Make sure to arrange for the delivery the day prior to your planned event or party. This ensures that you are ready to set up the day of the event. Early delivery allows you to check for missing items and gives you time to fix any problems.
- Double up on everything. Your guests will likely leave glasses, plates and cutlery wherever they go. Planning on two of everything per guest invited is a smart event planning strategy.
- Serving. If you are not hiring serving staff, a buffet is the way to go. Stack plates at the start of the buffet line, and place cutlery and napkins at the end. Guests will appreciate not having to balance multiple items while they serve themselves.
- If you have the space available, set up several areas for food. This ensures that everyone will not crowd the same buffet table at once. Always make sure there are plenty of napkins, plates and cutlery at each table.
- Go for the wow factor. If your budget allows, go the distance with butler service. Your colleagues will love you for providing them with an elegant experience that says they are the best.
Planning the food for your in-house office party will be easier if you remember to think everything through from the needs of your guests and keep your budget in mind. Who knows? You might just become the indispensable party planner your company just can't live without.
About the Author:
Robert Vidra is the founder and CEO of Simply Elegant,one of Canada's foremost catering and events companies, headquartered in Calgary. Simply Elegantis known for its thoughtful and distinctiveapproach to event planning, including corporate events, private parties and weddings. Their on-staff chefs and designer create menus, decors and even florals that perfectly reflect the occasion and match the budget.
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