Is there such a thing as a great event without great food? Food is a foundational part of every gathering, from big weddings to private celebrations and corporate conferences.
Incredible food is immediately recognizable when you taste it. Exceptional catering, however, is just as much about what you don’t see (or taste). It has to do with the careful planning, menu customization, experienced staff, and creative choices. These aspects of catering can be just as important—if not more important—than the dishes themselves.
A perfectly executed large event, with a fantastic menu, is an event that everyone remembers (and for the right reasons). This guide explains what goes into a successful event, and why you need an expert caterer on your side.
Define the Event Type, Purpose, and Theme
First, make sure you’re crystal clear on the type of event that you’re hosting. This includes understanding its purpose and theme, as well as the overall style. These details determine every other decision that you’ll have to make, particularly your catering choices.
Weddings
No two weddings are alike. Yet, even the range of wedding catering formats, sizes, and styles is especially vast. For the purpose of this blog, we will focus on large weddings, although small and intimate gatherings often need just as much planning!
Large weddings have lengthy guest lists, which means a lot of mouths to feed. How you decide to satisfy those appetites, however, is up to you and your caterer. It’s important to partner with an experienced catering company that understands not only how to customize and execute large menus, but also appreciates how food impacts your big day. The food is one of the most memorable parts about any wedding, so it needs to match your theme and taste delicious.
Corporate Events
From formal corporate conferences to year-end company celebrations, corporate events are as diverse as weddings. They can be black tie, casual, or somewhere in between. The right food and service style help set the tone for the rest of the event.
Bradshaw Catering’s corporate event catering enhances professionalism and hospitality at any style of corporate event. We service both formal seated dinners and casual, team-friendly formats.
Private Parties
Birthday parties, anniversaries, graduations, retirements, and social events—there are so many reasons to celebrate! And great catering elevates every celebration.
Bradshaw Catering offers customized menus that align with your private large event, making it extra-special and undeniably memorable. We can re-create your family’s favourite dish, bring an interactive food station that’s perfect for keeping the kids entertained, or turn a typical gathering into a luxurious event with a private chef experience.
Choose the Right Catering Service
It’s crucial to match the right service format to your venue, guest count, and atmosphere. For example, formal, semi-formal, and casual events have widely different catering needs and expectations. A formal event calls for a sit-down, plated service, whereas casual gatherings become even more lively with interactive food stations.
At Bradshaw Catering, we adapt our catering services to accommodate your guest count to ensure that no one goes hungry. We can also help you pick the best catering service for your venue, whether it’s an outside, inside, or blended space.
Buffet-Style Service
Buffets are ideal for events with large guest lists. Your guests can explore a wide-ranging, versatile, and unique menu spanning everything from globally inspired cuisines to beloved favourites. Not only do they get to explore various dishes at their own pace, but they are also able to decide their own portions.
Plated Service
For formal weddings, gala dinners, and upscale corporate functions, a plated catering service is the best option. Carefully designed and prepared meals are served at the table, directly to guests. These offer a touch of elegance, elevating formal events. Plated services also control portion sizes and pacing for a seamless execution.
Interactive Food Stations
If you’re looking to add engaging, live entertainment to your large event, look no further than Bradshaw Catering’s interactive food stations. Before they dine, your guests will feast with their eyes. These food stations are absolutely memorable and fully customized to your event theme and cuisine preference. Consider a carving station, pasta bar, or a Fire & Dough wood-fired pizza party.
Build a Crowd-Pleasing Menu
Deciding on a menu for a large event can be intimidating. With so many guests, each with their own personal taste preferences and dietary restrictions, how do you keep everyone fed and happy? Creating a menu with a wide appeal is key.
Think about your guests’ preferences, cultural backgrounds, and dietary restrictions, as well as your event’s theme. Informal, buffet-style services can span the globe, providing multicultural options for a multicultural guest list. The theme may be less important than satisfying your guests. Conversely, formal events with a strict theme may adopt a less flexible menu.
Ideally, you should strive for a balance between ensuring that there’s something for everyone and accurately representing your event’s theme or style. And don’t forget about appetizers, drinks, and desserts!
Plan for Special Dietary Restrictions
Nowadays, large events need to consider dietary restrictions in their menus. With a large guest list, you are going to encounter a wide range of preferences and allergies. Partnering with an experienced caterer is crucial to navigating this potential minefield without any hiccups.
At Bradshaw Catering, we understand how to create an inclusive menu without compromising on flavour. Whether it’s vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free, or halal, we can do it all.
Plan for a Seamless Service at Large Events
Your large event should flow just as seamlessly and calmly as an intimate gathering—that’s where an expert catering company comes in. After all, even the most beautiful menu won’t succeed without smooth execution. You need the right team, the right number of staff, and the right expertise.
A full-service caterer takes care of all aspects of the meal service, so you don’t have to. Bradshaw Catering handles the staffing, equipment, coordination, setup, and cleanup. We bring our full team of professional chefs, servers, bartenders, and event managers to ensure that everything is perfect from start to finish.
Partner With a Trusted Caterer
An experienced caterer can make all the difference in the world. They can make an exceptionally large, complex, and high-stakes event look like a walk in the park. On the other hand, an inexperienced catering company can turn a small and straightforward event into a complete disaster.
Bradshaw Catering has years of expertise and a proven track record of success. We understand how to turn your event’s theme into a personal and exciting menu, and how to launch a smooth service on the day. Our process is collaborative and attentive; our execution is unwaveringly professional.
Large-Scale Event Catering by Bradshaw Catering
At Bradshaw Catering, we believe in catering with heart to create moments of joy. We bring our customer-first approach to events of all sizes, including large events with diverse guest lists. Our team works closely with you to customize your menu, accommodate dietary and cultural preferences, and tailor the service to your event’s vibe.
To learn more about our large event catering services, call Bradshaw Catering at (289) 278-9475 or contact us here.
