If you’re hosting a corporate event that overlaps a mealtime, attendees expect a catered lunch or dinner. Offering food prevents guests from leaving in search of a meal, keeping everyone together and on schedule. Plus, the mealtime gives everyone a chance to network. Here are some tips to help you choose the right lunch or dinner spread for your catered event. 

How to Cater Lunch or Dinner for Professional Events 

1. Offer Variety 

The larger the crowd, the more variety you should offer. Everyone has different tastes and dietary restrictions. Sandwich trays provide a variety of meat and cheese combinations. Plus, attendees can choose two different halves if they can’t decide. Always ask for gluten-free bread and label those sandwiches.  

2. Consider the Weather 

During the winter, soup and stew are excellent choices that let attendees warm up. This could be the main course, or a side with a salad or sandwich. Only offer soup or stew if there are tables for attendees to eat at. Otherwise, they risk spilling on their professional attire. Non-heated courses tend to be best for summer events.

3. Fit the Schedule 

Attendees might use lunch for extra meeting time. Provide box lunches to accommodate schedules. Guests can save some for later or easily bring their food to a meeting room. Have attendees select their lunch before the event begins, so everyone is satisfied. 

4. Add Sides 

The catering company tells you how many people each dish feeds, but that doesn’t mean the attendees will stay within that estimate. Sides add variety to the meal and make sure you don’t run out of food. 

5. Remember Dessert 

After lunch or dinner, leave out dessert trays for the remainder of the event. Attendees can enjoy at their leisure, and the sugar acts as a pick-me-up for the event’s final hours. Cookies and cakes are excellent choices for corporate events, as they’re not messy and easy to organize on platters. 

If you have an upcoming corporate event, offer a delicious and unique lunch with catering from JJ International Delicatessen in Port Jervis, NY. This locally-owned deli boasts meats, cheeses, and other hard-to-find groceries from European countries like Russia, Poland, and Ukraine. They also offer vegetarian and gluten-free items to accommodate the dietary needs of your attendees. View their catering menu online, or call (845) 858-1142 to place an order.