Event Catering

What is catering?

Not sure what to do with leftover food from a future conference or event? Incorporating a food donation program with a local food bank is sustainable and possible. Learn how.

Event planners must consider several items before selecting catering services for their events, including menu selection, buffet vs. plated arrangements, special needs considerations, and budget items.

Not sure how to incorporate sustainability into your event’s food and beverage or what to ask? You can be covered with these 10 ideas and 4 questions. Learn more.

Looking to create an intimate experience, but not wanting the complexity of hosting a longer evening affair? Perhaps the best idea is to host a dessert reception. That's what organizers at Encore in Las Vegas chose when launching the new hotel to industry travel writers. Consider hosting a dessert reception based on ideas from their pastry chefs. Learn more.

Event planners should be familiar with a variety of cocktail drinks and cocktail drink recipes so that they may incorporate popular and trendy cocktails for their events. These cocktails and their recipes are certain to be a hit.

Although it seems that many restaurants and hotels have preset food and beverage menus, it's important to incorporate popular catering trends into your selections. The National Restaurant Association's 2008 chef survey highlights top items and tips that you may want to incorporate into your next event menu.

Identify the latest restaurant menu and hotel catering trends for your next event directly from the chefs themselves. Locally grown produce, tapas and energy drink cocktails are on that list.

Event planners who are interested in creating an Italian theme or atmosphere for an event may look to this menu for inspiration.

Event planners who are interested in creating a British theme or atmosphere for an event may look to this menu for inspiration.

Event planners who are interested in creating a German theme or atmosphere for an event may look to this menu for inspiration.

For anyone interested in hosting a cocktail reception with a Spanish food theme, perhaps they should consider some of these traditional Spanish menu items.

Event planners who are interested in creating an Canadian theme or atmosphere for an event may look to this menu for inspiration.

Event planners who are interested in creating an Caribbean or Bahamas theme or atmosphere for an event may look to this menu for inspiration.

Event planners who are interested in creating an Eastern Europe theme or atmosphere for an event may look to this menu for inspiration.

Sometimes you just want to go off the menu and create your own healthy breakfast buffet for your morning business meeting or event. Check out this menu which was designed for a 100 attendee breakfast meeting with an agenda that was focused on health and wellness.

A closer look at the various lunch menu options for your meeting or event, and what unique touches will make your meal memorable.

A national survey of chefs by the Restaurant Association identifies the hottest trends in catering and menus. Bite-size desserts tops the list.

Menu selection involves more than simply selecting from a list of items that your catering manager offers or just calculating which items fit in your budget. Keep these suggestions in mind to plan a great event.

A closer look at the various breakfast menu options for your meeting or event, when it makes more sense to select a continental breakfast vs. a plated breakfast, and what unique touches will make your meal memorable.

Event planners must consider several items before selecting catering services for their events, including menu selection, buffet vs. plated arrangements, special needs considerations, and budget.

For those events that aren't based at a hotel or restaurant, corporate event planners often hire caterers for internal events and privately hosted events. Follow these steps to make the caterer really work for you.

Chef Wolfgang Puck has been creating the menu for the Oscar's Governor's Ball since 1994. Consider some ideas from his 2008 menu for your next gala or dinner. The event included a combination of reception stations (4), passed hors d'oeuvres, plated meal and a signature dessert.

Negotiating food & beverage expenses as part of an event program is becoming increasingly challenging. Tips on price, complimentary items, guarantees, and service/staffing ratios.

Not sure which wine you should select to go with Asian foods, turkey, duck, lamb, beef, etc.? The Food Network has developed a great cheat sheet that helps event planners know when to select a Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinor Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and so on. Memorize these wine pairings before meeting with you caterer.

Did you know that the restaurant industry reflects $537 billion in sales, offers a choice of more than 935,000 locations, and employs 12.8 million people? That provides a lot of choices for event planners. Find out more industry statistics.

Anytime is a great time to start a catering business. Greg Casella, 2010 president for the National Association of Catering Executives and owner of Catered Too! in San Jose, CA, started his business during a recession. Learn 10 tips you should know to start a successful catering business.

What holiday party planning ideas and tips would you suggest others for the company holiday party?

What you need to know about hiring a catering company or caterer. Tips to build the catering menu, taste catering, review catering pictures, check references and more.

Looking for inspiration to create table settings and decorations for your gala or special event? Check out the "Feast in a Forest" concept used at one fund raising dinner. This design concept received the 2009 Best Guest Table Presentation of the Year from the National Association of Catering Executives.