Labor Day, being the last holiday of the extended season of sunshine and blossoming flowers, calls for proper planning to make it as memorable and fun as possible.
One of the many ways of ensuring the day is successful and unforgettable for days to come is by laying down effective catering plans.
Since most people may not be familiar with great catering practices, this article comes to provide you with all the information you need to make the last day of your favorite season noteworthy and fun.
Pick a Theme
There is no better way to mark this great day than choosing a catering theme that goes with the event.
Picnic for Labor Day Celebration
Your choice of a catering theme will go a long way in ensuring the day will be imprinted in your mind and guests for a long time to come.
A classic American BBQ theme entails delicacies such as burgers, ribs, and hot dogs, accompanied by classic sides like coleslaw, corn on the cob, and potato salad. You could also choose to go unique with a seafood extravaganza by incorporating grilled shrimp, crab cakes, fish, lobster, and a variety of seafood salads. You could also try international cuisine options like Mexican, Mediterranean, or Asian fusion with Tacos, and sushi among other options.
Select a Diverse Menu
Whichever catering theme works for you, ensure to go as diverse as possible with the menu. Let the meal plan include appetizers, main course, drinks, desserts, and sides. You can never go wrong with salads to make the theme as colorful as possible. Desserts such as cupcakes coupled with drinks such as juices come in handy when you have kids amongst the guests. Wines, lemonades, and beers are great drink options for adults.
Consider Dietary Preferences
As you sample the diverse catering options, it is imperative to consider the dietary preferences of your guests, if any. The most effective way of accomplishing that is by calling your guests beforehand and enquiring about their diet preferences one by one. If not, include gluten-free, vegan, and vegetation options in the menu to accommodate everyone.
Live Cooking Stations
Installing a live cooking station is another great hack to ensure the day becomes a success and memorable for many years to come. Live cooking, either by a chef or DIY, provides the guests with fresh meals while catering to all dietary specialties. It is a great hack to strengthen interpersonal relationships when grilling.
Add Live Music
Besides food, music is another ingredient of a great Labor Day picnic. Apart from setting the mood, live music provides guests with a chance to display their dance and singing prowess as they enjoy meals and drinks. To make it enjoyable, hire a local artist or a DJ so that the guests can request their favorite jams live.
Plan for Weather Contingencies
Even though the season is characterized by extended days of sunshine, one can never be certain about the weather. With the effects of climate change becoming severe each day that passes, the rain can come out of nowhere. In that understanding, it is always imperative to plan for weather contingencies. Having a pergola with a sunroof or establishing a ready indoor space is among the many ways of ensuring the fun will not be cut short by adverse weather.
Personalized Touches
Personalized touches including picnic-branded blankets, napkins, and tablecloths are some of the many ways to introduce uniqueness that will reign in guests’ minds for years to come. You can also have a mixologist make a signature cocktail to make the day colorful. To complement that theme, you can hang string LED lights and other related decorations to invoke warmth and set the tone of the evening. When coupled with soft music, personalized touches make the Labor Day picnic a moment to always remember.
Event planning is not a forte for everyone, given the intricate and long planning process. From looking for a venue, designing and confirming invitations, sourcing for various food items, the tiring cooking, setting tables and decorations, serving the meals, and cleaning up, event planning can take a toll on you. This is where a good caterer, not just any caterer comes in handy; to take up the entire catering service so that you can focus more on making sure your guests are entertained. The time spared can be invested into overseeing other aspects that help make the day enjoyable. Therefore, consider hiring a good caterer for your next Labor Day picnic.