Planning a special celebration or wedding and feeling overwhelmed about selecting the ideal catering option? Let us assist you. Drawing from their extensive expertise, the specialists at Dine present this comprehensive catering guide – exploring everything from selecting the most suitable catering formats to discovering delectable cuisines your attendees will cherish.
Top 5 event catering styles
Let's begin with catering formats. To simplify your decision-making process, we've curated the top five catering concepts, complete with advantages and disadvantages for each selection.
1. The 3 Course Dinner
The classic seated meal remains a timeless selection, perfectly suited for various occasions – from your wedding breakfast to a corporate awards evening – this conventional dining approach continues to be a preferred choice at numerous events.
This more structured dining arrangement involves service staff attending to guests seated at communal tables. Typically reserved for traditional cuisine and refined dining experiences, guests select their preferences from a predetermined menu prior to the occasion.
Three course dinner pros and cons
Pros
- Delivers a refined dining experience
- Efficient service with synchronised meal delivery
- Offers guests a seamless, relaxed dining experience
- Particularly appealing for environmentally conscious hosts, as it typically minimises food waste
Cons
- Menu choices are restricted to pre-selected options
- Generally, commands a higher price point amongst catering styles, due to increased staffing requirements for food preparation and service
2. The Afternoon Tea
Treat your guests to an exceptional experience with an elegant afternoon tea service. Various styles are available to suit your preferences, ranging from classic British to Mediterranean-inspired – just ensure proper tier arrangement to maintain afternoon tea etiquette!
Afternoon tea catering pros and cons
Pros
- Creates stunning, social media-worthy table presentations
- Excellent food preservation, ideal for larger gatherings
- Combines sophistication with enjoyable dining
- A graceful and universally appreciated dining format
Cons
- Requires communal serving arrangements
- Can extend over a longer dining period
- Some guests might prefer more substantial portions (though never a concern with Dine, as we ensure generous servings!)
3. The Buffet
For those seeking a more relaxed dining atmosphere, the buffet format remains a popular selection at numerous events.
Guests may either help themselves to the array of dishes on display, or for an added touch of elegance, you might consider employing serving staff to manage the buffet station and ensure appropriate portion sizes (we all know that relative who treats each serving as if it's their final feast!).
Buffet catering pros and cons
Pros
- An efficient method to serve all your guests promptly
- Offers guests extensive menu options, accommodating various dietary requirements and personal preferences
- Temperature-controlled dishes maintain their warmth effectively
- Often presents a more budget-friendly catering solution
Cons
- Generally perceived as a more casual dining arrangement
- Requires guests to form queues reminiscent of school dining halls
- May incur additional expenses if numerous serving staff are required
- Potentially problematic as later-arriving guests might face limited selections
- Portion control challenges could result in excessive food waste
4. The Food Cart or Van
Mobile catering options such as hog roast vans have become increasingly fashionable at weddings and events, offering an extensive variety of culinary styles.
Whether it's gourmet burgers, plant-based delicacies, artisanal hot dogs or fresh sushi – this interactive dining approach delivers an entertaining experience for attendees. For extended celebrations, this catering style proves particularly effective for evening service, following a traditional seated meal earlier in the day.
Food cart or van pros and cons
Pros
- Creates an attractive visual element for guest photographs
- Delivers an engaging dining experience
- Perfectly complements themed celebrations
- Ideal for locations lacking kitchen facilities
Cons
- Extended waiting periods as queues form, particularly challenging for larger gatherings
- Often provides a less formal dining arrangement
- Can be costly, particularly when multiple vehicles are required, covering both food and service personnel expenses
- May lack refinement due to disposable cutlery usage
- Typically restricted to one or two cuisine options – challenging for selective diners!
5. The Canapé & Bowl Food Reception
Elevate your celebration by presenting guests with an assortment of exquisite canapés. Create a lasting impression with sophisticated Oak Roast Salmon Crostinis, or maintain simplicity with beloved classics such as Welsh Rarebit Beignet. Feeling tempted? Explore our menus for additional inspiration.
Your canapé reception could serve as an elegant appetiser when combined with another dining format, perhaps transitioning into a formal seated dinner later in the evening, or be artfully presented throughout several hours until your guests have satisfied their appetites and are ready to embrace the festivities on the dance floor!
Canapé & bowl food catering pros and cons
Pros
- Typically offers excellent value for money
- Creates a sophisticated dining atmosphere
- Enables guests to socialise freely without table constraints
- Presents diverse culinary options
Cons
- Some items may prove challenging to consume elegantly
- Extended dining duration – potentially unsuitable for time-sensitive events
- Risk of uneven food distribution due to over-enthusiastic guests
- May disrupt social interactions and dancing momentum
Event Catering: Selecting your perfect cuisine
Having determined your preferred catering approach, the next crucial decision involves choosing a cuisine that will delight your guests. From the vast array of options available, we've highlighted several of our event-tested favourites below!
French
For those seeking refined elegance, consider serving a delicate Tian of Crab or a perfectly executed Confit of Duck to impress your guests. Whilst French cuisine typically commands a premium, it represents a cherished and sophisticated choice, perfectly suited for distinguished occasions.
Italian
When aiming to ensure contentment and relaxation amongst your guests, Italian cuisine presents an excellent option. A sumptuous pasta dish proves universally appealing. For those exploring food van alternatives, consider offering freshly prepared arancini or authentic wood-fired pizza – elements guaranteed to transform your event into an unforgettable experience.
Japanese
Envision elegant sushi platters, meticulously arranged bento boxes or steaming aromatic noodles.
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