6 Helpful Tips for Coordinating Catering for Cocktail Party Functions

It’s about time to hold your next corporate party, so you’ve decided to arrange a cocktail party for your colleagues to enjoy!

Cocktail parties are a great way to let your staff members unwind and mingle with each other.

But cocktail parties aren’t the easiest events to plan out. You won’t just be planning out the cocktail menu—you’ll need to think about catering for cocktail party functions too because it’s always good to give your colleagues some tasty food to munch on while they enjoy their cocktails.

So let’s take a look at some helpful tips that you can use when ordering catering for cocktail party events.

1. Look for a good caterer

First and foremost, you need to find a good caterer who can offer great catering for cocktail party events. There are many caterers out there, but you’ll want to find one that suits your company’s needs.

Take a look at the catering menus they have on offer and see if they have food options that pique your interest. Also, check if they offer vegetarian options for your colleagues who are vegan or vegetarian.

Another thing you need to consider is how close the catering company is to your office or the venue of the cocktail party. The closer they are, the faster and easier it will be for them to get to your party to set up catering.

2. Decide on a time

Cocktail parties aren’t usually midday events, so ideally the event should be arranged in the evening, preferably after 7 pm.

Normally, cocktail parties last for about 2-3 hours, but there’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to the duration of the event. Also, having the party on a Friday or Saturday would be more convenient for your colleagues as they won’t have work the next day.

When ordering catering, you should tell your caterer about the date and time of the party. Make sure to give them these details at least a few weeks before the event so that they have space in their schedule to accommodate your party. If you’re unsure about the timings, try asking your caterers and they may give you a suitable time slot.

3. Stay informed about dietary restrictions

When you’re planning out your menu, make sure to ask your colleagues if they have any dietary restrictions.

Medical conditions such as gluten and nut allergies are very common, so make sure to ask your caterer if they have menus that don’t include foods with common allergens.

Before the event begins, make sure to ask your caterer to label foods that have common allergens so that colleagues with allergies won’t pick them up by mistake.

4. Pick the menu

The next thing you need to plan out for your cocktail party is the all-important menu. Now, since cocktails are the main event, you won’t need to include any big main courses. Instead, you should ask your caterer if they have a nice appetizer menu that’ll work for a cocktail party.

Some great appetizers for a cocktail party include a meat and cheese platter and a veggie platter for your vegetarian or vegan colleagues. You could also opt for a delectable charcuterie board with a selection of deli meats, cheeses, and fresh fruits.

If you want appetizers that are a bit more filling, try:

• Pulled pork sliders
• Vegetable Asian pot stickers
• Stuffed mushrooms
• Bruschetta
• Beef kebabs (Or chicken)
• Sushi rolls
• Sandwiches

Try to include as many finger foods as you can. Your colleagues are going to want to walk about and talk to each other, so small foods that they can easily pick up and eat would be more convenient. Also, for a more varied menu, ask your chosen caterer if they allow you to mix and match different menus.

5. Stick to limited cocktails

You may want to serve a variety of different drinks at your corporate cocktail party, but if you’re worried about the budget, it’s okay to just offer one or two kinds of cocktails. Sometimes, it’s best not to overwhelm your colleagues with too many options.

You can make sure a bar is set up on the side featuring the cocktails available along with the ingredients in each drink so that your colleagues can easily pick.

Also, make sure to include some mocktails for colleagues who don’t drink alcohol. Maybe include some fresh fruit juices as well.

6. Have a tasting session

Since this is a corporate event, you’ll want to make sure that the menu for your event is top-notch

Ask your caterer if they offer tasting sessions. This way, you can see if their food is of good quality, and if it will go well with the cocktails you’ve selected for the event.

Find a great catering company for your next cocktail party!

A cocktail party is more than just about the cocktails—it’s about giving your colleagues a great time and letting them enjoy a great selection of food to go with their drinks.

To make your corporate cocktail party a memorable one that your colleagues will be talking about for ages, make sure to find yourself a caterer with the best catering menu packages in town!