Spring is in the air and after months of largely being cooped up inside, our thoughts can turn to enjoying the outside world once again. That includes planning your next event al fresco.
Whether you’re hosting a product launch or a meet and greet, planning a wedding or private party, there’s something special about being able to take your event outside. Sure, there’s always that element of risk with the weather. But the benefits if the weather gods smile on you make it worthwhile.
Something else you have to think about for an outdoor event is catering. Depending on the location you choose, you may not have the same access to kitchen facilities and amenities that you get with most indoor venues. Even basics like electricity might pose an obstacle..
That means you have to do a bit more thinking about the logistics. The choices are either take everything you need to prepare food to the venue, including generators, portable gas stoves, work surfaces etc. Or go for an option that can be prepared in advance.
There are pros and cons to both methods. The former can be more expensive, although costs can be controlled by using things like mobile food vans that make transportation so much easier. The plus side is you have greater flexibility and can prepare food fresh.
With pre-prepared food, you are mostly limited to cold meals and you still have to think about transport, storage and serving. But it’s a more straightforward solution if amenities are lacking, saving work and costs.
Here are some great catering options for your next outdoor event.
Canapes and sharing platters
A classic fall back for pretty much any catering requirement. Easy to plate up in advance, with cold platters there need be zero prep on site – perfect if you’re looking for a light touch, hassle free solution. Canapes are particularly well suited to any kind of event where guests will mostly be up on their feet and mingling, enjoying a snack as they do.
Afternoon Tea
For something a little different, serving Afternoon Tea at your event can be a real winner. There’s a nostalgic charm about sandwiches, scones and finger fancies that people love – not to mention a good old fashioned cup of tea (or coffee!). As with canapes, serving plates can be prepared in advance and delivered straight to the table.
There’s a little thinking to do for serving hot drinks, but with any kind of electricity hook-up, all you need is a catering urn. If you have access to picnic benches to seat your guests at, you can go for the classic street party vibe – some attractive tablecloths, doilies and maybe some bunting and you’re there!
Street Food
If kitchen facilities are available, takeaway-style ‘street food’ makes for a fabulously flexible hot meal option outdoors. Focusing on dishes like burgers, hot sandwiches, rice and noodle dishes, street food is ideal for mobile and pop-up kitchens. As food designed to be eaten ‘on the go’, it’s perfect for a minimalist approach to serving dishes outdoors – at Humdingers, we serve our street food on cardboard plates!
Best of all, street food is a really popular trend right now. The combination of takeaway principles with world cuisine is big on flavour, convenience and choice. There’s always likely to be something for everyone on the menu, and it lends itself well to vegan and vegetarian options.
BBQ
Finally, if you’re looking for the right outdoor catering option for your event, why try to reinvent the wheel? There’s a time-honoured classic staring right at you. Nothing says summer like a BBQ and the smell of the charcoals burning and fresh food grilling adds an extra ambience to any outdoor event. Cooking options are flexible and easy to transport – you can go for the traditional oil drum charcoal grill, or a modern gas alternative that works from a gas bottle.