With New Year’s resolutions still fresh in the mind of most people, it’s a great time to apply some fresh thinking to your upcoming affair and make sure it’s a healthy catered event.
“Most times, all you have to do is ask,” said Patti Zylstra, owner of Catered Creations in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “For a long while now, healthier foods have been on the minds and menus of many event caterers.”
So, for your upcoming corporate lunch, wedding reception or other catered affair, what should you look for in a caterer to ensure healthy and fresh event menu choices? Here are some tips.
Begin by requesting local ingredients, if in season. Often picked at the height of freshness and usually more flavorful, you’ll not only enjoy healthier catered menu food choices but also support nearby farmers. (That said, most event caterers regularly work wonders over the winter months with food that’s been brought in from afar or previously frozen.)
Be sure to specify some vegetarian or vegan entrees. Sources report that 10% of Americans are now vegetarians (i.e., a person who does not eat meat, but who may enjoy eggs or dairy) or vegans (i.e., a person whose diet avoids all animal products). You’ll certainly want to satisfy this sizable percentage of event attendees.
Also, consider asking for allergy-free event menu items that exclude certain ingredients like dairy, nuts or wheat. Your caterer may already have them on their event menus. If not, they should be willing to “tweak” their recipes to make them allergy-free for your guests.
Of course, a fruit platter should be a “given” in addition to your event planner’s usual dessert choices that might include cakes, cookies or ice cream.
Perhaps most of all, you should seek out a catering service that embraces healthy choices, tinkers with their recipes, and delights in satisfying the wants of those seeking healthier food choices!
“Healthy event menu choices are certainly a focus with us,” said Patti Zylstra. “For example, we recently ‘wowed’ the crowd at a wedding reception with a menu that included a Vegan Brussel Sprout Salad and a Potato Bar with Vegan Sweet Potatoes. Another huge hit? A Catered Creations event menu specialty — Short’s Brewery Bellaire Brown Ale in a Vegan ‘Cheese’ Dip!’”
All about creating mouthwatering – and memorable – experiences, rely on Catered Creations to enhance your next event. From weddings and social parties to picnics and corporate functions, we’ve been serving West Michigan since 1986.
