The food you serve at your event is a major contributor to the attendee experience. In this article, our Vaughan banquet hall catering experts share 11 catering tips and menu ideas for every type of event to help you make the right choices.
1. On-trend tapas
Tapas are all the rage, offering the perfect choice, whether you’re greeting guests with a cocktail hour, holding a schmoozing event, or are going for a tantalizing lunch buffet menu at your conference.
These Spanish-influenced small servings allow people to nibble on tasty tidbits as they mingle, chat, and enjoy drinks, and are tray-friendly for servers or creating an impressive spread at a self-serve station. Some classic, crowd-pleasing tapas served at Vaughan banquet halls include:
- Meatballs
- Garlic shrimp
- Tortilla (Spanish potato mini omelettes)
- Chorizo and manchego skewers
- Assorted olives
- Croquettes and fritters
- Patatas bravas
- Good morning seasonal fresh fruit
2. Good morning seasonal fresh fruit
Seasonal fresh fruit serves up the freshest, sweetest fruit of the season, a perfect way to start the day for conferences, all-day meeting sessions, or brunch-based events. This menu item doesn’t have to be limited to fruit trays, but can include creative twists such as:
- Fruit skewers with vanilla yogurt dip
- Smoothie stands
- Fruit topping for a waffle or pancake station
- Fruit salad bar
- Fresh fruit juice station
- Watermelon, mint, and feta bites
- Locally sourced menus
3. Locally sourced menus
Locally sourced menus at Vaughan banquet halls are not only eco-friendly, but also ensure all the ingredients used are served at peak season. This type of menu can be applied to any meal at any time of day, and can also be dressed up or down from casual to fine dining.
It’s the perfect choice when you want to appeal to an audience that supports local businesses and is committed to green practices. It’s suitable for weddings, conferences, business events, and birthday parties.
4. Don’t forget those vegan choices
With so many people including more vegan dishes in their diets, having at least one vegan selection is a must. Vegan meals today are anything but boring, and can be adapted to just about any recipe. Some tantalizing treats that even the most avid meat-lover will enjoy include:
- Classic eggplant parmesan
- Tofu Thai noodles
- Spinach lasagna
- Peanut noodles
- Jackfruit pulled pork or tacos
- Cauliflower steaks with chimichurri sauce
- Portobello mushroom burgers
- Canelli bean marinara with warm Italian bread
5. Kid- and adult-pleasing foods
Events that include children pose one of the most frustrating challenges for menu planning. However, there are many menu items that are just as pleasing for adults as they are for kids, including:
- Pigs in a blanket/sausage rolls
- Tacos or assorted Mexican-inspired menus
- Gourmet pizza
- Slightly elevated mac and cheese
- Sliders
- Chicken parmesan
- Assorted pastas
- Wings
- Assorted dips
- Quiche
- Charcuterie board
6. Kabob krazy
The beauty of kabobs is that you can put pretty much anything on a stick, grill it, create a dip, and, voila, dinner is served. You can add variety based on the meat or vegetables used, global influences for the marinades, and an assortment of dips that allow people to mix things up and explore new flavours.
You can also include vegetarian kabobs such as Caprese-inspired skewers with fresh basil leaves, mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes, and even create dessert kabobs with fruit, chunks of cake, marshmallows, and a chocolate dip.
7. Crostini creations
Crostini are the ideal finger foods, whether added to a tantalizing buffet or served as appetizers. They offer endless possibilities for both savoury and sweet options, and appeal to people of all ages. From bruschetta-inspired toppings to mushroom and goat cheese, and prosciutto and melon to cheese with chutney, crostini never goes out of style.
You can also have a create-your-own crostini station with a variety of toasted mini bread slices and toppings such as savoury jams and chutneys, grilled vegetables, spreads like pesto and pâté, spreadable cheese, etc.
8. Antipasti and charcuterie temptations
Nothing appeals to hungry guests more than antipasti and charcuterie. An inviting spread of cheeses, cured meats, olives, spreads, crackers, bread, and things like olive oil and balsamic vinegar for drizzling are the perfect event choices for just about any time of day or night.
From greeting guests at cocktail hour for corporate events to midnight snacks at weddings and bachelor/bachelorette parties, this mix of delights is sure to please. You can also use antipasti and charcuterie items to inspire fun appetizers like charcuterie cones or caprese skewers.
9. Cocktail hour appetizer “shooters”
Shot glasses filled with appetizer “shooters” are an event trend perfect for greeting guests. From chilled soups like vichyssoise, gazpacho, and melon to layered dips with crudite, and fries with gourmet ketchup to mini kabobs with tzatziki, this novel idea sets your event apart with creative bites that guests will love.
Bow to bao sandwiches
This worthy bun is the talk of the town, with a distinct white crust that remains soft and pleasing due to steaming. You can go with traditional bao fillings like barbecued pork or pork belly, or something more elegant like glazed duck.
The sky really is the limit when it comes to these white, pillowy sandwiches. Since the sandwiches “fold” instead of being stacked, they can be eaten while standing with a drink in your hand—perfect for event cocktail hours.
The main event: entrees
The simplest tip when choosing your entrée menu is to look for a theme for inspiration. Some ideas might include:
- Comfort foods for rustic, lower key events such as fried chicken, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, pot roast, etc.
- A specific cultural influence such as French, Mexican, Spanish, Thai, etc.
- Locally sourced, seasonal menus, as mentioned above
- Gourmet menus with multiple courses that take guests on a gastronomical adventure
- Fusion meals that combine different global influences
- Retro-inspired menus for a fun twist
- Dishes inspired by a movie or book
- Serving stations featuring different options like a pasta bar, salad bar, carving station for roasted meats, sides buffet, and a dessert station
- DIY entrées such as pasta or pizza stations
- Barbecue
Regardless of what route you take, the key is to include vegan and gluten-free options to meet the different dietary needs of your guests.
Contact the Vaughan Banquet Hall Event Experts
If you’re planning a big event, click here to learn more about Château Le Jardin’s Vaughan banquet hall and services. You can also call us at 1-888-529-8573, or book a consultation online.
