Host Like A Pro: Catering Tips for Your Next Event

Elevate every occasion, from boardrooms to backyards

Party planning can be serious business—but not to worry, Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants has the food covered! Whether it’s for an office luncheon, a small backyard BBQ bash, or a summer soirée with family and friends, all you have to do is send the invites, and we will take care of the food!

Inquire about catering with Lettuce.

Here are four tips to get you started:

1. Think Seasonally

Find out what’s in season and use it as the inspiration for your menu! Choosing seasonal ingredients isn’t just a trend—it’s about peak flavor and freshness. Our chefs always build our menus with fresh, seasonal ingredients in mind, ensuring Lettuce catering spreads reflect the best of what’s available throughout the year.

Summer Soirée: Serve a summer salad with ripe heirloom tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, and sweet corn like this Cobb Salad from Summer House, alongside glasses of rosé.

Inquire about catering from the Summer House location nearest you.

Spring Bridal Shower: Feature vegetable platters with bright spring veggies like watermelon radishes alongside creamy dips like this setup from Aba Miami – Bal Harbour.

Inquire about catering from the Aba location nearest you.

2. Consider Your Timing

Big crowd at lunch? We pack the punch with hearty hors d’oeuvres or food stations. Afternoon cocktail hour? We keep the menu light and drinks flowing. We match your menu to your event’s rhythm, making sure everyone leaves satisfied.

Conference Breakfast: Build-your-own yogurt parfaits with granola, nuts, and seasonal berries make for a fun station and a healthy start to any conference day. Add other items like baked goods and breakfast sandwiches to prepare you with options for all. Not sure where to start? Gem Catering & Events can help bring your vision to life.

Inquire about breakfast catering options with Gem Catering & Events.

Afternoon Birthday Party: Hosting adventurous palates for your kid’s birthday? Make sure to have a variety of dishes and fun finger foods that they will all enjoy! Get inspo from Big Bowl’s menu.

Inquire about catering from the Big Bowl location nearest you.

Weekend Backyard BBQ: Finally found a date for that small friends and family gathering? L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge and Bub City are here to help you make the most of your time together whether it’s a gathering for 10 people or 50, the BBQ is coming in hot!

Inquire about catering from L. Woods.

Inquire about catering from the Bub City location nearest you.

3. Simplify with Batched Drinks

You can’t lose with a batched cocktail (including spirit-free)! An on-theme, easy sipper is sure to steal the show at the bar and make your bar shopping list so much shorter! So choose the theme and we’ll mix up the perfect batch.

Colorful Spritzes: From Aperol to lemon, watermelon and pineapple spritz options, the possibilities to add a touch of elegance and ease with large dispensers are endless. Pizzeria Portofino shows us how!

Inquire about catering from Pizzeria Portofino.

Psst, they also have on-boat catering, view the menu here.

Sangria Station: Sangrias are another way to keep your drink station fun while minimizing costs. Offer a variety and include extra fruit for serving like this setup from Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

Inquire about catering from Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

4. Make the Display Part of the Show

Catering doesn’t have to be plain. When your food looks as good as it tastes, it sets the perfect vibe for your event. Think bright dishes, themed serving ware, or touches of décor like florals to make your setup pop.

A Catered Office Spread: Want to take your company picnic to the next level? Add elegance while still keeping it simple, delicious and fun with dishes served on different platters and varying in size and color. RPM Steak shows us how to make aluminum trays look chic while being 100% practical.

Inquire about catering from RPM Steak.

An Extravagant Raw Bar: Ideal for a garden brunch celebration, set up a luxurious seafood station with tiers of oysters, shrimp, and crab legs, accented with build-your-own-bloody marys like this setup by RPM Events.

Inquire about catering options with RPM Events.

Aesthetic Catering Boxes: For any event, from a birthday to an office party, Sushi-san’s catering sets come in beautifully crafted sushi boxes that serve as both a feast for the eyes and the palate, eliminating the need for additional serving dishes. Want to impress your guests? Add their pop-up handroll bar! It includes all four of signature handrolls: Crunchy Fatty Tuna, Salmon Avocado, Negi Hamachi, and Kanpyo, made to order by a sushi chef.

From Live Action Sushi to Group Catering, inquire about Sushi-san catering.

Interactive Stations: For an impressive and hassle-free experience at your next event, consider hiring one of Shaw’s roaming oyster shuckers, who can engage with your guests and add an entertaining and educational element to the night.

Inquire about catering options at Shaw’s Crab House – Chicago or Schaumburg.

Here’s how to host an epic raw bar at home from the experts at Shaw’s Crab House.

Find more interactive event inspo here.

Ready to Plan?

Whether celebrating a milestone birthday, tying the knot, or hosting a corporate event, our team is ready to add that special spark. Quality, creativity, and a dash of fun—just set the date!