No event is too big or small when it comes to event catering. And if you’re in the depths of choosing the best small party catering service in Auckland, then you’re at the right place. Presuming you’ve scoured the web for the best catering ideas for your small event – whether it be a 21st birthday party with your best friends, a baby shower with close family, an engagement party with your loved ones – finding the perfect caterer that knows everything about events is crucial.
But, first things first. How does one cater for an event or party? Below, we break down everything you need to know (including a handy checklist) when figuring out how to cater for your next event.
How do I cater for a small party of 20 guests?
For the majority, a guest list of around 20 is considered an intimate or small event. So, if your event or party fits within a 20 guests range, you’ll be pleased to know, catering for 20 guests is actually incredibly simple.
Depending on the theme of your event – is it a birthday party? A baby shower? Or is it a small product launch with VIPs? – you have a few catering options to choose from.
Picnic boxes, grazing boxes, or platter boxes
How many times can one say ‘boxes’? Picnic platter boxes are great for those who have chosen an outdoor venue (such as a local park, the beach, reserve, or similar) to host their event. They’re portable, easy, and most importantly delicious.
So, what exactly is a picnic platter box?
A Spread Me Picnic Box is the most versatile form of ‘grazing on the go’, yet. Each box consists of the freshest charcuterie-style ingredients for you to enjoy (just add wine!). There are two types of Picnic Boxes to choose from at Spread Me, the Say Cheese platter box, or the Brunch Lovers box.
Say Cheese platter picnic box
The Say Cheese picnic box is the perfect addition to an outdoor picnic-style event. Each box features one medium/soft cheese, and one medium/hard cheese. It also includes various seasonal fruits, complementary dips or pastes, crackers, breads, nuts, olives, and a selection quality deli meats.
Brunch Lovers picnic box
As the name suggests, the Brunch Lovers picnic box is catered to day-time events – or for those who just love brunch-style foods (like us!). A Brunch Lovers box is filled with your favourite morning delicacies from waffles through to pancakes and everything in between. Each box includes waffles, mini pancakes, bagels and/or pretzels. It also has a fruity muesli cup, a selection of fresh fruits and nuts, as well as a complementary jar of jam/spread.
Both the Say Cheese and Brunch Lovers picnic boxes can feed up to five guests as a light graze, or two to three as a meal. So, if you have a small party size of 20 guests, you could opt for four boxes (either four of the same, or a mix of both for some variety), if the event geared towards a nibble-style party, or go big and opt for six to seven picnic boxes to ensure you and your guests are well fed.
How do I cater for 50 guests on a budget?
If you’re working towards a budget, an event catering to 50 guests may sound a bit daunting. However, there are great options for catering ideas on a budget.
A grazing table
Grazing tables are a popular way to cater to small to medium sized events. This is because its customisable nature means that everyone (including dietaries) are catered for thoughtfully and guests can pick and choose (literally) what they want to eat. In other words, a grazing table is ideal for picky eaters.
Spread Me’s standard grazing tables are filled with various soft, medium, and hard cheeses, artisanal crackers and breads, complementary dips and pastes, seasonal fruits and vegetables, an array of cured deli meats, assorted nuts and sweets, as well as a selection of delicious canapés, too.
As mentioned, grazing tables are great for those who have dietary requirements as Spread Me can offer options such as gluten-free sections, dairy-free sections, and more, within the graze.
Handy small party catering checklist
- Finalise number of guests as soon as possible
- Book your event catering at least two weeks in advance (the earlier the better!)
- Have plates and cutlery ready for your guests (incase your event caterer does not provide)
- Decide where within your venue where your food will be served/displayed – choose a spot that is out of the sun and easy for guests to go to
- Sort out logistics for how you will pack up after the event (sort with your caterer or friends/family that will be helping to pack up)
- Drinks – while some caterers have an alcohol licence, many don’t. So it may be a case of BYO. Plus, it’s always good to have both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options for your guests