Event Planning FAQs

What is the purpose of the event?

You never need to have a reason, but it is fun to have a theme. If the event is a reunion of college friends from Texas, maybe you would like to serve fajitas and margaritas. However, if it is a lunch for the ladies, perhaps tea sandwiches and scones would be preferred.

How many guests will there be?

Is this going to be a gathering of your closest friends or a much larger affair? Will the guest list create an intriguing combination of conversations?

What is your budget?

You don't need to spend a fortune to make your guests feel like a million dollars. Decide what you can comfortably spend and what items are most important to you; then be prepared for alternative choices that we can provide to keep the event within your budget.

When planning your party, one of the most frequently asked questions is... How Much Food Do I Need?

Hors D'oeuvres

The number of hors d'oeuvres you need often depends on how long the cocktail "hour" is. For evening events, it can be anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. The longer the cocktail hour, the more food you will need to offer. Naturally, brunches and luncheons require fewer hors d'oeuvres to be served. When serving hors d'oeuvres, the pieces should be bite size or possibly two bite, but no larger.

Evening with no dinner following:10-12 pieces per person (have some substantial meal-type foods that can be served like hors d'oeuvres)
Evening with dinner following: 4-6 pieces per person (lighter cheese and vegetable foods or a protein that you are not serving for dinner)
Late Morning or Noontime with meal following: 1-3 pieces per person (lighter cheese, vegetable or puff pastry foods)

Drinks

Plan on about 3 beverages per person at a party.
There are about 5 glasses of wine in a 750ml bottle.
One quart bottle of liquor will serve 21 (1.5-ounce) beverages.
Plan on an average of about 1 1/2 cups of coffee per person.

Breakfast

Offer a drink such as: juice, mimosa, coffee, espresso, latte, or tea.
Offer an entrée dish and sides or finger foods with pastries.

Lunch

2-4 hors d'oeuvres can be served per person (but don't have to be).
Offer beverages such as lemonade, iced tea, wine, coffee, espresso or tea
Offer an entrée dish (5 oz.) and salad along with a cookie and tart platter

Dinner

Serve 4-6 hors d'oeuvres per person depending on how many courses dinner is going to be. The more courses there are the less the number of hors d'oeuvres you need.
Offer beverages before dinner, wine with dinner, and possibly an after dinner drink. Coffee and Espresso can be served with or after dessert.
Offer bread, salad, soup and/or appetizer.
An entrée dish (5-7 oz.), a starch, vegetables and dessert.
When serving dinner, sometimes an "intermezzo" is served between courses to cleanse your palate such as sorbet.
After dessert you can serve a truffle or candy tray.
Have nuts or cordial candies on the table.
Serve water with a lemon slice.
Set out butter with fresh herbs.
Place homemade relishes and condiments around the table in small attractive bowls or plates.

Please fill out the Event Questionnaire to provide us with the information needed to create a catered event quote tailored to your desires. We will work with you to customize a menu that will satisfy your entire group. Please also check out our Menu Options for more information and meal suggestions. Of course we also offer Menu options for vegetarian, vegan, kosher or organic food events