•Event Catering Ideas•
• Catering Ideas For Every Type Of Event•
8 Self Catering Tips
Planning any event takes a lot of work especially if you are self catering the event. Shopping, cooking, decorating and general organization can be a full-time job. Depending on the size, you might need to rent cooking equipment, tables, chairs and even a tent. If there will be entertainment you might find yourself scouting out disc jockeys or a band.
Although it's a lot of work, catering an event can be very rewarding and doing it yourself can save a lot of money. Here are eight self catering tips that you can use to make the job easier.
1. Organization. You want some sort of a system that allows you to easily access everything you need for the event. This includes lists and notes which might be organized in a spreadsheet on the computer as well as the supplies that you will need for the event which should be kept together in the same area.
2. Make Lists. When you are self catering any event, lists are your friend, you want lists of contact information for all the people helping with the party as well as lists of the invited guests. How about a list of all the equipment you need to rent? Of course a list of all the food you have to buy is a necessity as well as the supplies like tablecloths, napkins and dinnerware. Don't forget to make a to-do list so you can check off when you've accomplished all the other things on the other lists.
3. Make a menu. You want to figure out everything you are going to serve from appetizers to desserts and don't forget to include drinks. Then you need to figure out all the ingredients that you need to make the items that you won't be buying pre made. When making a menu, take into consideration any food allergies or food preferences that you know the guests might have.
4. Shop around. Once you've made your lists and you know what you need to buy, you can save yourself some money by shopping around. Go to your local Sam's Club or bargain club and compare prices. Don't be afraid to look online where you might be able to save money especially for things like decorations, napkins, imitations and dinnerware.
5. Schedule it out. Once you know what you want to serve, you will need to come up with a timeline so that the foods are ready at the appropriate time. If you going to be setting up and decorating as well include this in the timeline. A lot of the things can be made in advance and then kept frozen up until the day of the event. Some other things you might be able to make a day or two ahead of time. Even if you have help self catering the event, you want to include some wiggle room in your schedule just in case something goes wrong.
6. Guest count. You want to be sure you have enough food but having too much would be wasteful. Be sure you get a good guest count so you know how much to make.
7. Throw it out. You can make things a lot easier on yourself if you use disposable dinnerware. It might not look as nice in your event but you won't have to deal with washing dishes and this will be a huge timesaver.
8. Enjoy! Just because you are self catering the event doesn't mean you can't enjoy it. If you are well-organized and plan for things you can participate in the event as well as host it!
Although it's a lot of work, catering an event can be very rewarding and doing it yourself can save a lot of money. Here are eight self catering tips that you can use to make the job easier.
1. Organization. You want some sort of a system that allows you to easily access everything you need for the event. This includes lists and notes which might be organized in a spreadsheet on the computer as well as the supplies that you will need for the event which should be kept together in the same area.
2. Make Lists. When you are self catering any event, lists are your friend, you want lists of contact information for all the people helping with the party as well as lists of the invited guests. How about a list of all the equipment you need to rent? Of course a list of all the food you have to buy is a necessity as well as the supplies like tablecloths, napkins and dinnerware. Don't forget to make a to-do list so you can check off when you've accomplished all the other things on the other lists.
3. Make a menu. You want to figure out everything you are going to serve from appetizers to desserts and don't forget to include drinks. Then you need to figure out all the ingredients that you need to make the items that you won't be buying pre made. When making a menu, take into consideration any food allergies or food preferences that you know the guests might have.
4. Shop around. Once you've made your lists and you know what you need to buy, you can save yourself some money by shopping around. Go to your local Sam's Club or bargain club and compare prices. Don't be afraid to look online where you might be able to save money especially for things like decorations, napkins, imitations and dinnerware.
5. Schedule it out. Once you know what you want to serve, you will need to come up with a timeline so that the foods are ready at the appropriate time. If you going to be setting up and decorating as well include this in the timeline. A lot of the things can be made in advance and then kept frozen up until the day of the event. Some other things you might be able to make a day or two ahead of time. Even if you have help self catering the event, you want to include some wiggle room in your schedule just in case something goes wrong.
6. Guest count. You want to be sure you have enough food but having too much would be wasteful. Be sure you get a good guest count so you know how much to make.
7. Throw it out. You can make things a lot easier on yourself if you use disposable dinnerware. It might not look as nice in your event but you won't have to deal with washing dishes and this will be a huge timesaver.
8. Enjoy! Just because you are self catering the event doesn't mean you can't enjoy it. If you are well-organized and plan for things you can participate in the event as well as host it!