As a Dallas caterer, we know everyone has their own preferences for what tastes good. One crowd pleaser that’s taking the catering world by storm is DIY food stations. This build-your-own style of serving allows your guests to pick and choose their favorite toppings. Here are some ideas for your own do it yourself bars.

Bruschetta Bar

Brimming with seasonal produce, cured meats, and cheeses, this build-your-own bruschetta bar is perfect for keeping your guests well fed and entertained. The set-up is simple and the possibilities are endless!

Bagel Bar

Move over donuts – bagels are a healthy option for your brunch reception or post-wedding brunch. Serve fresh mini bagels and traditional accompaniments like cream cheeses, smoked salmon, capers, herbs, tomatoes and cucumbers.

Trail Mix Bar

Even if you want to have a seated dinner you can still have a DIY snack bar filled with your favorite dried fruits, seeds, nuts, pretzels, granolas and candies. We’ll make sure your bar stays stocked and is easy to grab and go so that your guests can get back to the party quickly. Pro tip. Give guests their own custom bags to make their own mixes to take home as favors.

Salad Bar

Trying to accommodate different dietary restrictions? Try a salad bar. We can serve your favorite greens from romaine, spinach, arugula, as well as tons of different toppings form cubed turkey, ham, chicken, olives, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, shredded cheese, kidney beans, peas and more. We can also serve potato salads, pasta salads, and bean salads. We also recommend providing fresh fruits for any kids attending your wedding (their parents will love you forever).

Event Catering in Dallas

Event catering in Dallas offers many unique service styles to best compliment your event. However, many event hosts are not aware of all the different options out there. For example, would your event benefit more from a hand style service or plated service? If you’re not sure, no problem. We’re here to clear up the confusion about our different service styles.

Table Displays & Hours d’ Oeuvres

Guests usually stand and eat light foods from a buffet-style table. Sometimes referred to as “walk and talk”. These foods should be easy to eat standing up and not require utensils. This can also be done for desert displays.

Passed Hours d’ Oeuvres

Guests serve themselves using cocktail napkins. This is usually an inexpensive choice for couples who want to give guests a light snack and service. This style is only appropriate for finger food dishes that are not messy.

Buffet & Themed Dining

Food arranged on a table, so guests can move along the buffet line and serve themselves. Typically, guests take their plates back to their tables.

Action Stations

Similar to a buffet but the Chefs prepare and serve the food at the table, rather than in the kitchen. Sometimes called “Performance Stations” or “Exhibition”.

Family Style

Large serving platters are set on the table by servers. Guests help themselves from a lazy-suzan or pass the food around to one another.

When looking for Dallas wedding catering have you ever wanted to try something different from the typical seated dinner? A wedding without a seated dinner, however, is not necessarily a wedding without food—but removing a traditional, seated dinner leaves you with endless possibilities.

Dessert Reception

If you and your fiancé have a sweet tooth consider a dessert reception. We have a lot of stunning dessert presentations from shortcake buffets to cheesecake martini bars. If something is not on our menu, just ask and we will be happy to create your own custom dessert bar.  Side note, if you do opt for a dessert only reception just make sure to let everyone know beforehand and give your guests time to eat before heading to the wedding.

Brunch

Want to still serve a meal but not dinner? Try a brunch reception. We’ve written several other posts on ideas on what serve at brunch, check them out here.

Buffet

If you’d still like to serve dinner then a buffet may be the best option. These self serve stations allow guests to pick and choose what they want as well as mingle with other guests not just at one table. Just make sure to have some seating and cocktail tables for people who want to sit or put their food and drinks down.

There’s a reason we are known as the best Dallas wedding caterer. It’s because we know all the tips and tricks to elevate your wedding day bar without spending a fortune and still create some pretty tasty beverages along the way.

Personalize It

A full bar can be costly, but a great way to cut costs are to create signature cocktails. Guests will love sipping on a “Bloody Marry Me” or a “Something Blue”.

Go Local

Choosing local is a great budget friendly option and also makes for a unique drinking experience. With so many local breweries and wineries in the area your guests will be able to take a trip through DFW with their taste buds.

Spice it Up

Similarly consider what products are in season and can be utilized in your cocktails. Fresh herbs can add a bright twist to most drinks. Rosemary is great for the summer and Mint in the winter.

Floats

Cocktails have become a work of art, from layered drinks to intricate designs dropped into egg white foam. These can be difficult and expensive to replicate in bulk and still get a drink in everyone’s hand quickly. However including simple garnishes and liquid floats can still add that wow factor at a fraction of the cost.

Whether you’re planning a wedding or looking for corporate catering in Dallas there are three things you should know when creating a custom menu for your event.

Your Style

It may seem obvious but the first step in customizing your menu is to determine the type of food that matches your vision. Then based on what type of food you choose consider what service style works best for serving it to your guest: passed hors d’oeuvres and buffet service to food stations, plated meals, or family style are some options.

Your Guests

For couples, while it is your wedding and you should be able to choose things you like it’s also important to consider your guests. If you or your fiancé has unique taste by all means incorporate a unique dish but also provide more standard and universally liked dishes to compliment it.

Another important tip is to ask your guests before hand about major dietary restrictions such as allergies, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free. Also if kids will be included, having kid-friendly options doesn’t hurt even in limited quantities.

All of these things insure that your guests don’t go home hungry.

Your Budget

Customizing your menu can be done within your budget. The best way to do this is to determine your must-haves. The second thing to consider from there is what alternatives you can do to cut costs such as buffet vs family-style.

If you have further questions about customizing your menu we always love to chat, just send us your questions.

As a Dallas caterer we love everything about summer, especially the food. Having a company BBQ in summer is great for boosting employee morale and showing appreciation for a job well done. Here are some tips on how to have a successful company BBQ.

Figuring out a headcount

After you’ve chosen a date, send out invitations at least 30 days in advance as summer calendars fill up quickly. If not everyone RSVPs anticipate that about 80% of those you invite will be able to make it.

Planning the menu

While it may seem obvious what to serve at a BBQ, a success cookout is all about presentation (and dessert). We highly recommend looking at our menus for inspiration. There’s action stations, family style, buffet, or you can get in touch with us about creating something unique for your event.

Drinks

A lot of this depends on company policy as to whether you provide alcohol. However if you do provide alcohol make sure to have a mix of alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages especially if employees are going to bring their families.

Entertainment

Have some ice breakers and team building games and play good music to create an enjoyable environment. Also if your employees bring their families it would be good to have some children’s activities as well to keep them preoccupied.