A catering service provides guests at weddings, parties, and corporate events with delicious food prepared by professionals. After the gathering is over, you may have lots of leftovers. Here are five ideas to make the most out of every last bite.

How to Use Party Leftovers

1. Make Sandwiches

With a little imagination, just about every food—meat, cheese, and pickled vegetables—can become a sandwich ingredient or luncheon side. Gather bread and condiments and start assembling a noontime meal for a crowd using catering leftovers. A sandwich of prime rib with hot mustard and provolone would satisfy any appetite. Bacon, eggs, and pasta are all tasty when surrounded by some fresh bread.

2. Send the Guests Home With Extras

Guests will be delighted to bring home catering leftovers. Provide containers, lids, and foils for interested parties to scoop up some leftovers to take home at the end of the night. 

3. Have a Hearty Breakfast

Consider hosting a gathering on the morning after your catered event. Create a tasty breakfast casserole by layering last night’s ingredients into a dish with some scrambled eggs and spices. If you’d rather skip the scramble, set out a buffet of cold dishes and reheat leftover meats and potatoes.

4. Donate the Food

Contact local homeless shelters, food pantries, or other charitable organizations to learn if they accept prepared food donations. Many would gladly accept catered dishes to serve to their clients and staff.

5. Compost It

Sometimes, it’s just not possible to eat every leftover, but you may be able to compost it. Arrange to have a local composter pick up the food, or donate it to a farm for soil amendment. If you know what’s safe to compost, you may find a secondary use for all your event-day leftovers.

If you’re looking to have a business or family event catered, contact Hammann’s Catering Butcher Shop & Deli in Fairfield, OH, to learn about their tasty menus. They've provided party trays, full-service catering, and butcher shop deli products to residents of Greater Cincinnati for over 25 years. Call them at (513) 858-3237 to discuss an order, or visit their website for more information on their delicious meats, finger sandwiches, fruit cocktails, and soups.