Making a menu is really the best part of throwing a party, or at least it should be. The food at a party is more than food, it’s a conversation piece. Having a theme will always offer great direction for all aspects of an event – the music, decor, color – but it will especially help you conceive the menu. Keep it simple and keep it tight. You’ll always have more ideas than you can execute. Here are some important tips:
– Before you settle on the menu, decide how you will serve
– Make sure there are vegetarian and even vegan options
– Always offer some fresh items
– Look to create various colors and textures
Here are a few of our favorite menus:
MEXICAN FIESTA
Performance Gourmet Taco Bar
Griddled Flour & Corn tortillas
Grilled & Performance Carved Tequila-Lime Chicken
or Roasted Pacific Mahi Mahi
Gourmet condiments
Sautéed Peppers, Onions & Mushrooms, Shredded Romaine & Red Cabbage, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Diced Roma Tomatoes, Clay Pot Black Beans, Chopped Cilantro, Spanish Rice, Sour Cream, Diced Onion
Mojito Melon Salsa
Diced watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, cucumber & red onion, tossed with fresh lemon juice & mint
Pico de Gallo
Chopped summer tomatoes, jalapenos, shallots, & cilantro tossed with fresh lime juice, salt & pepper
Mesquite Grilled Jumbo Shrimp Skewer
Rubbed with Latin spices & drizzled with citrus juices
Tamales
Homemade Masa steamed in corn husks with Anaheim Chile & Roasted Corn
Hearts of Palm Salad
Butter lettuce, hearts of palm, red-yellow watermelon & heirloom tomatoes with Manchego cheese & citrus vinaigrette
Grilled ‘Cesar’ Salad
Grilled hearts of romaine, classic Caesar dressing, diced avocado & cotija cheese
SOUTHERN
Pulled Brisket Sliders
With apple slaw
Cheddar Cheese Grit Cake
Crispy white cheddar cheese grit cake topped with blackened shrimp coleslaw
Crab Cake
With Remoulade sauce
Petite Chicken Pot Pies
Mini pastry shells with breast of chicken, vegetables & and homemade gravy
Duo of Sausages
Andouille and Boudon Blanc sausages served on Creole rice cake with stone ground bourbon mustard
Baby New Double Stuffed Potatoes
Filled with sour cream, chives and smoked bacon
Chicken & Waffle Skewers
With Maple Glaze Reduction
ALL-AMERICAN DESSERTS
S’mores
Chocolate Brownie Pudding
Vanilla Bean Whipped Crème
Red, White, & Blueberry Cobbler
Seasonal berries baked in flaky crust, topped with a cinnamon-brown sugar crumble, served with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Hostess Cupcakes
Chocolate cake with a vanilla buttercream center & topped with chocolate ganache
Raspberry Shortcake
Red Velvet cake layered with fresh raspberries & whipped cream
Limoncello Tiramisu
with fresh boysenberries and red currant compote.
Snickerdoodle
Butter cookie, topped with sanding sugars in red, white & blue