Food is front and center at nearly every event. It’s what many attendees look forward to the most about large gatherings, and it’s talked about long after the event is over—for better or worse.
A catering delivery company can collaborate with you to create the perfect menu that will keep all of your guests happy, but they can do much more than that. They can also open your eyes to different dining styles to ensure you provide a food atmosphere that matches the tone of your event.
What exactly do we mean by dinner styles? It refers to the way food is served at your event, regardless of the type of food that is being served. Here are a few recommendations for dinner styles that are based on the type of event you’re planning.
Formal occasions include events like:
Events like these lend themselves well to sit down dinners. These types of dinners can include elaborately decorated tables, and they provide guests with an upscale feel. Each plate is ordered ahead of time by attendees, and plates usually include high-quality ingredients. Sit down dinners often include menus with seasonal ingredients, they showcase current food trends, and you’re more likely to serve more labor intensive foods, like filet mignon and seafood.
Society is increasingly becoming more informal, which means many hosts compare buffets to formal sit down dinners and opt for the former. There’s no disputing the fact that a buffet dinner can work, especially if you don’t want to deal with seating arrangements and dinner orders, but we still recommend a pre-plated, served dinner when you want your formal event to feel special.
Informal occasions include events like:
An informal occasion is different from a formal occasion in that guests are expected to mix, mingle, and move around instead of spending the evening sitting at a table. However, it is worth noting that traditionally formal occasion can be made more informal, which is the case with many weddings nowadays. If you want your event to have a more relaxed vibe, consider a buffet.
Buffets are great for informal events because there’s no need to finalize a guest list, those in attendance do not have to place their dinner orders ahead of time, and guests can eat as little or as much as they want.
Buffets are less work when it comes to catering delivery and service too. Caterers can prep the food ahead of time instead of cooking elaborate meals on-site, and they do not need to hire enough servers for the event. Fewer people are needed to ensure the buffet line moves smoothly.
If you want your informal event to feel a little more special, but not necessarily formal, you have a few more options. A live chef station can be a lot of fun for guests, and it’s a great way to showcase a qualified chef who can speak with guests about the food that is being served.
Food trucks can be fun too! They are popular at informal weddings, but they can also be a nice way to cap off the evening after a late-night cocktail party.
Interactive occasions include events like:
Interactive occasions deserve a category of their own, even though they tend to be informal events. That’s because the vibe of these types of events tends to be very different than other types of gatherings. There’s usually a lot more going on than guests who simply show up for a good time.
Interactive occasions often include brainstorming sessions, the exchange of gifts, or in the case of family reunions, games and activities. Although they are informal, they are meant to foster a sense of belonging, which is why family style catering is a good choice.
Unlike formal sit down dinners where plates are brought to your table and buffets where guests move through a line and bring their plates back to the table, family style dinners offer a nice compromise. Plates of food are brought to the table and passed around while everyone sits and serves themselves. It’s the kind of style you would expect at a Thanksgiving dinner with your family.
This style also provides you with more options than a buffet. Caterers can create a wider variety of dishes, and they can bring more interesting food to the table, since smaller portions are served. It also encourages guests to try new things, since they can choose their own portions without the pressure of moving through a buffet line quickly.
No matter what kind of event you’re planning, a qualified catering delivery company can work with you to create a menu and a dining style that will work for you and your guests. Contact Left Coast Catering to learn more about our seasonal dishes, our full range of services, and our expert chefs.
