The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and culinary celebration. Whether planning a corporate holiday party or a festive community event, the right restaurant catering menu can transform an ordinary occasion into an extraordinary experience. Holiday catering goes beyond mere food service—it's about creating memorable moments, sharing warmth, and delighting guests with carefully crafted culinary creations that capture the season's spirit.
Explore the modern holiday catering menu ideas to surprise your clients and make their holidays memorable.
How To Create A Holiday Catering Menu
The holiday season is an excellent time for catering services, and having the right menu can help bring in more clients. A unique holiday catering menu for meals and gatherings will meet customer needs and set you apart. Menu optimization increases restaurant sales and helps you deliver the best options while controlling costs, making handling demand easier and increasing profits. Here are some things to incorporate while creating a restaurant catering menu for holidays:
Understand Your Customer’s Needs
Understanding what your guests need is key to creating a great holiday catering menu. Consider the event you’re hosting, such as a formal holiday party, a corporate event, or a relaxed office party. Knowing your consumers helps you choose the right food and atmosphere.
For example,
- A formal meal might need fancy dishes
- An event might be better with simple, comforting food
You should also consider any dietary needs your guests might have. Many people look for gluten-free, vegetarian, or other special holiday options. Offering a variety of dishes, like both filling and lighter choices, will ensure everyone is happy. This helps improve your guests’ experience, whether enjoying holiday beverages or treating themselves to desserts.
Incorporate Seasonal Ingredients
Using seasonal ingredients in your holiday catering menu adds a fresh touch to your dishes, making them perfect for a holiday party or any special event.
Cranberries, squash, turkey, and winter herbs such as rosemary and thyme are holiday favorites that can be used creatively for appetizers, main dishes, and sides. These ingredients taste great and bring the holiday spirit to the table, offering a warm and traditional feel.
Focusing on what’s in season can make your holiday menus more affordable while offering fresh, delicious food. Buying locally reduces shipping costs, making it easier to offer tasty dishes without spending too much.
Keep The Menu Balanced
When making a holiday catering menu, including a good mix of appetizers, main dishes, sides, and desserts is important. This way, everyone will find something they like. For example, you can add the following things to your menu, including:
- Offer both meat and vegetarian choices to cover different tastes
- Add lighter and heavier dishes so guests
- Try combining classic holiday dishes with new ideas
- Offering both familiar foods and fresh options will please more guests.
Offer Customizable Options
Allowing customers to choose how they order food can improve their experience.
- Pick individual dishes, portion sizes, or extra sides
- Offer a list of desserts for each guest to choose from
- Set up a platter for everyone to enjoy during a holiday dinner
- Offer special meal plans, like vegetarian or gluten-free
Customizing the catering menu improves sales and the customer experience. This is great for large groups or holiday parties, where everyone may have different tastes.
Price The Menu Offerings
When setting prices for a holiday catering menu, it’s important to think about the value you're offering. You could offer different options, like a regular catering package and a VIP choice. The regular package might have basic dishes, while the VIP option could include higher-end meals or extra services. This allows customers to pick what works best for their budget while ensuring each option offers good value. The price should reflect the food quality, service, and overall experience, keeping it competitive but profitable.
Use catering management software to manage the menu and avoid high food costs. Offering a mix of popular dishes ensures the price fits what customers expect. The menu format should match the event and meal price, ensuring customers feel they’re getting a great experience and value.
Popular Holiday Catering Menus Ideas
Holiday catering is a great way for restaurants to increase their services and attract corporate clients during the festive season. Customized menus designed according to the corporate teams' varied tastes and dietary requirements will make the office parties and holiday celebrations memorable while driving your catering business.
Here are some creative menu ideas that restaurants can include in their holiday packages to delight clients and earn profits.
Gourmet Sandwich And Wrap Platters
You can offer a variety of sandwiches and wraps, like smoked turkey, roast beef, grilled vegetables, and vegetarian choices. These wraps come with fresh salads and sides, making them a great option for any holiday meal or corporate event. Make your menu a tasty and satisfying spread for holiday gatherings.
Holiday-Themed Buffets
Traditional holiday meals often include favorites like roasted turkey with stuffing, glazed ham, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and seasonal veggies. Vegetarian options include dishes like stuffed squash or lentil loaf, while gluten-free choices might feature quinoa, gluten-free stuffing, and flourless desserts. These ideas make a great holiday catering menu, offering something tasty for everyone.
Luxury Charcuterie Boards
A mix of fine cheeses, cured meats, nuts, fruits, and crackers is a great choice for any holiday catering menu. It looks beautiful, is easy to serve, and adds a touch of class to events like formal holiday parties or family gatherings. This tasty spread pleases different tastes and makes the holiday menu more special.
Miniature Holiday Hors d'Oeuvres
It is a brilliant idea to include bite-sized appetizers like smoked salmon blinis, stuffed mushrooms, mini quiches, and Caprese skewers in your holiday catering menu. These small, tasty snacks are easy to enjoy while chatting, making them great for cocktail hours and holiday parties. They keep the event fun and give everyone something delicious without stopping the flow of conversation.
Hot & Cold Food Stations
Make your holiday catering menu more fun with customizable stations like a mashed potato bar, taco station, or pasta bar. Guests can pick their favorite toppings and sauces, making your holiday party or gatherings more exciting. These stations give everyone something they enjoy and keep the food hot and tasty.
Festive Platters With Desserts
A holiday catering menu can include yummy desserts like mini pumpkin pies, gingerbread cookies, chocolate yule logs, and holiday cakes. Pair them with warm drinks like mulled wine or hot cocoa for a cozy feel. These ideas are perfect for any holiday party or event, as they add sweetness and cheer.
Seasonal Soup Options
A great idea for a holiday catering menu is to serve warm soups like butternut squash, French onion, or creamy tomato bisque as a starter. These cozy soups help create a warm and welcoming feel for winter events. Whether it's a holiday party, corporate event, or office gathering, these soups are a perfect way to start the meal.
Salad And Grain Bowls
Try a salad with quinoa, kale, and roasted vegetables for a healthy and tasty holiday catering menu option. The dressing can be served on the side, so guests can add as much as they like. This light, vegetarian option is a great fit for any holiday meal or corporate event.
Customizable Breakfast Platters
For a morning corporate event, a holiday catering menu could include a mix of fresh fruit, tasty pastries, burritos, and egg muffins. Add a variety of juices to keep everyone refreshed. This breakfast spread is perfect for a holiday menu, offering a delicious and easy start to the day while making the event enjoyable.
Holiday-Themed Buffet With Global Flavors
Go international with these holiday catering menu choices: roasted lamb served with tzatziki sauce, sushi rolls, and Christmas curry. These new flavors make the meal a little bit special. From holiday parties to office gatherings, your guests will enjoy these tasty ideas.
Customize Your Holiday Menu With Checkmate’s Catering Solution
With Checkmate’s catering solution, you can scale your brand’s in-house catering to increase revenue and easily pair it with any third-party catering marketplaces you work with. Get a custom demo, and let us help you build a custom catering channel that delivers an elevated ordering experience!
