10 Tips for Choosing the Catering Menu for Your Event From Toojay’s

Choosing a catering menu doesn’t have to be a chore. With these simple steps, you’ll find the perfect one for your event in no time.

Whether it’s a casual backyard birthday party, an elegant anniversary celebration, or a lunch for the boardroom, what you serve your guests makes all the difference. No pressure, right? 

You won’t stress if you choose a great caterer. Instead of hours of prep in the kitchen (and a mountain of greasy pots and pans to clean up before the party), you can leave it to the professionals and trust that everyone will be wowed by a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of wherever you choose to serve it.

Okay, now that we’ve sold you on why catering is an awesome option for your event, you have to go about choosing the catering menu. That’s the fun part as far as we’re concerned (but we also totally get that you’ll need to think about the size and scope of your event before you order).

That’s why we’ve put together these easy breezy steps to choosing the perfect catering menu for your event:

Understand your event

The menu for a kid’s birthday party is probably going to be a lot different from an important business breakfast (significantly less caffeine at the birthday party, for starters). Before you choose your menu, write down the basics of your event. 

You’ll want to identify the occasion, the theme if any, how many people will be there (tip: overestimate so there’s definitely enough food to go around), and the location. Pay close attention to that last detail. Will it be indoors or outdoors? What will seating be like? Will it be cool or warm that day? This will help you determine the type of food you choose. For example, if there’s not going to be seating at an outdoor event, you want to choose casual menu items that your guests can enjoy standing up.   

Choose the date you need your order

When you order your catering menu fromTooJay’s you can specify the date and time you need your order by. Pickup and delivery are both available (the latter incurs a delivery fee), so choose the option that’s best for you. Take into consideration the timing of your event. You want to make sure your items are ready for your guests to enjoy as soon as they’re ready to eat. 

Last-minute event? No problem. Look for the clock icon when ordering and choose from a large selection of same-day requests. 

Choose the meal that you’re serving

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or something in between? TooJay’s Catering has options for whatever meal you’re serving. Serving breakfast? Choose from hot options like scrambled eggs, French toast, and bacon or cold items like bagels, yogurt, and fruit. Serving lunch? There are boxed lunch options, party platters, and hot entrees. Serving dinner? Gourmet menu options include everything from lasagna to London broil to broiled cod. For those meals that are in between, TooJay’s Catering offers snacks and hors d’oeuvres. And don’t forget about dessert!

Order a cake if it’s a special occasion

If the event is a birthday party, anniversary party, retirement party, or other celebration, there’s no need to go to a bakery in addition to going to TooJay’s. Gourmet specialty cakes are available in a variety of options. Choose from an eight-inch cake for a smaller group or a half-sheet option for a larger group. Flavors include chocolate, coconut, and even Key lime pie. Don’t see something you like? Ask about specialty options. Keep in mind that a 72-hour notice may be required for gourmet cake orders.

Check for any dietary restrictions or preferences

Before you choose your menu, find out if any of your guests have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or preferences. TooJay’s has a wide range of options that can accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free diets, and other tastes and preferences. Be sure to communicate this information to TooJay’s when you order. 

Choose casual, fancy, or both!

Catering doesn’t have to mean black tie level fancy (but it can!). Think of the vibe you want to project at your event and choose the menu items that fit. TooJay’s offers casual options like deli sandwiches and wraps and upscale options like shrimp cocktail, brie with raspberries en croute, and even traditional turkey dinners with all the trimmings.

Don’t forget drinks

No matter what meal you’re serving, TooJay’s Catering has drinks that fit. Order by the can, liter, pint, half-gallon, or gallon. Options include coffee, tea, juice, soda, lemonade, and more. Need ice? Add a cooler or ice to your order so your drinks stay chilled. 

Add chafing dishes, Sternos, and other catering essentials

If you’re ordering hot entrees and you need them to stay hot, add chafing dishes, pans, and Sternos to your order. This will keep your meals warm and tasty so that guests can visit the buffet line again and again. You can also add extra paper products to your order.  

Choose pickup or delivery

When ordering online through TooJay’s Catering, you can select pickup or delivery. TooJay’s has locations throughout Florida, making it easy to find a convenient place to pick up your order from. Don’t have time to grab your catering meal before your event? No problem; we’ll deliver.

Contact TooJay’s with questions

TooJay’s Catering has catered more than a half-million events across Florida since its founding in 1981. In other words, we’re well-versed in creating menu items that help you shine when you host a catered event. If you have questions about the menu, want feedback on how much to order for your group, or need to make sure that last-minute order is perfect, contact us.

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source https://www.toojays.com/choosing-catering-menu/