Catering For Your Michigan Party

It takes a lot of planning for any party so don’t let the food be a distraction. The five tips below will help with setup and optimize layout of the food for your next Michigan party.

Tip 1: Plan the menu. Consider how many guests you will be serving, any dietary restrictions, whether you need kid-friendly options, and whether you want to serve dessert. Offer two or three entrees with customizable sides and toppings whenever possible. Also think about foods that are easy to serve and eat. Wooden salad servers are tricky to wrangle at a casual buffet, while soups are challenging to eat on a couch. Go for lots of finger foods that aren’t too messy and that hold up well for hours at a time.

Tip 2: Optimize table setup and location. Decide if your food with be inside or outside. For outdoor events have a plan for sun or rain. Food should be in the shade and kept appropriately warm or cold. Parties in Michigan during summer can get hot outside and you don’t want your food cooking in the sun all day.  Place food on a kitchen island or dining room table that allows for free circulation in all directions. Try to leave space all the way around the table or island so that guests can serve themselves from either side. Keep in mind that each chafing dish will take about two feet of space.

Tip 3: Separate beverages from the food. Chill beer and wine in an ice-filled metal tub on a side table along with plastic cups. Underneath the table, stash a cooler filled with water and sodas. For extra points, offer a margarita bar with a pitcher of margaritas at the ready. Include an ice bucket, plastic cups, one small bowl with lime sections and one small plate with rock salt.

Tip 4: Provide serving utensils appropriate to the dish. Offer tongs for breads, tortillas and green salad. Large serving spoons are best for most sides. Soup spoons work well for cheeses, sauces and other garnishes. Keep a saucer next to each platter for the utensil to rest on between guests. Offer two sets for a two-sided buffet line.

Tip 5: Put garbage receptacles in convenient places. Use sturdy trash bags and replace them as needed. Encourage guests to recycle too with a separate can (clearly marked “Recycling Only”) set up for empty glass and plastic beverage bottles.