Today, food plays an integral role for any major event. In fact, it is not uncommon for people to judge events according to the menu. How many times have you heard: "yap, the weddings was ok, but the food was terrible". Therefore, the event catering is more than just an exclusive background for celebrations. Let's review event catering options.
The choice of the right menu is about the budget.
It is also about the suitability of the dishes.
If you have a relaxed, informal event, you do not have to order premium 3 course meal.
The event catering for informal meetings can consists of cocktail and fork food menus.
For more stylish events, which have a casual touch, you can opt for the semi-formal event catering.
This option almost always includes buffet but with 3 course meal.
Finally, for adventurous entrepreneurs (who want to spoil their staff) there is a formal 3-4 course "dish bonanza".
This option is individually served for each person with waiters and separate catering tables.
The price difference between the informal and the formal event catering can be substantial.
However, cheaper does not always mean the most appropriate.
You must decide in advance what type of the event it is.
If you expect men to show up in black suites and ladies in ball gowns then do not serve cocktail and fork menus.
However, for informal business meetings the formal menu is not only expensive but also out of place (though participants will certainly like it!).
The event catering for the cocktail or fork food menu is the cheapest. At the same time it is a pleasant adventure with the selection of hot and cold finger foods. This is a perfect option for events which expect participants to chat and mingle with one another. Christmas and New Year celebrations are particularly suited to this type of event catering. Most cocktail menus is based on skewers, sushi, pies and sandwiches. The expected price of cocktail event catering is about $5 per person.
This type of the event catering is based on the buffet idea.
You get a 3 course meal: the starter, main and desert.
Most semi casual dishes are a combination of prime roasts, cold meats, hot pasta dishes and fresh seafood.
For deserts you can expect ice-creams, jellies, Pavlova and torts.
The semi formal event catering is suitable for business gatherings.
This may include the finalisation of projects, annual meetings or employees reward presentations.
You can expect to pay around $30-$40 per person. It is not cheap but buffets allow for unlimited "re-fills".
This is the ultimate event catering experience.
Suitable for the "high-end-functions" these formal events are there to impress.
Most formal event catering includes: canapés, entree, main course and desert.
All dishes are served by waiters and brought directly to tables.
Formal event catering is suitable for exclusive functions and important business deals.
You can expect to pay $50 per person for a two course menu.
More elaborate options include about $60 for a three course setup and $75 for a four course option.
Fortunately, the event catering industry is quite competitive in Australia. There are options for any kind of catering and event. From the more prestigious businesses we would recommend:
All the above event catering companies deliver a corporate product, both in terms of dishes and decorations. These are not the most cost effective choices but well suited into the event catering experience.