When it comes to a luxury corporate Christmas party, exquisite catering can elevate the entire experience. And in some cases, theatrical food and drink ideas can become a form of entertainment in itself. From decadent hors d’oeuvres to gourmet feasts and a showcase of culinary artistry, we have all your corporate Christmas party catering covered. So in the last of our series of Christmas party planning guides, here’s Amy Brown, TLC’s Business Development Manager, with ideas on how to craft an unforgettable culinary journey for your upscale corporate celebration with TLC’s guide to corporate Christmas party catering.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
“Innovative catering is as much about the service and presentation as it is about the menu,” says Amy.
“To truly elevate the catering at your corporate Christmas party you need not only the best chefs but a crack team of serving staff (if it’s a sit-down meal). Plus, a range of experts to share their knowledge and add an extra dimension to the entire catering experience.
“Ensure that the catering service accommodates dietary restrictions and preferences, offering vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or other specialized options to cater to all attendees. Additionally, prioritise impeccable service with attentive staff and seamless execution to enhance the overall luxury experience.”
THREE WAYS TO ELEVATE YOUR CORPORATE CHRISTMAS PARTY CATERING
Before you even start cooking, here are Amy’s three ways to instantly elevate your corporate Christmas party catering:
Personalised menus: Create custom-designed menu cards showcasing the evening’s offerings, adding an elegant element to each place setting. Printed cards are a nice touch, but you can also write it out on blackboards or vintage mirrors as a more sustainable and ornate option.
Bespoke tablescapes: Show off the food with a fabulous table display. Coordinate table linens, floral arrangements, and tableware to match the theme and colours of the event. Consider using fine China to really set off your menu as in a high-end restaurant. Similarly crystal glassware, and detailed centrepieces will add luxurious ambiance. Read more ideas on table settings on our Christmas party décor blog.
Interactive culinary experiences: Incorporate interactive elements such as chef demonstrations, food and wine pairings, or dessert-making stations to engage guests and provide a memorable element to the dining.
TOP CORPORATE PARTY CATERING IDEAS FOR 2023
So, what’s in vogue this year when it comes to catering for a corporate Christmas party? Read on for all the themes and ideas you need to wow your crowd.
DECADENT GRAZING
The grazing table is a firm staple in upmarket festive gatherings, providing a fabulous festive focal point and flexible catering to suit a range of tastes and dietary requirements. The best bit is that grazing tables become a décor fixture too – embellishing your theme with a towering banquet of festive treats.
What you arrange on the table does count, however, so here are some glamorous options to elevate your grazing feast.
- Gourmet Cheese and Charcuterie: Curate a selection of artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and accompaniments like fig jam, quince jelly, honeycomb, and gourmet crackers. Present on marble slabs or elegant platters. Pair wines with each cheese and provide details on tasting notes that bring out the flavours to add a sophisticated element.
- Oysters and Caviar: Indulge guests with fresh oysters served on ice or a caviar bar with a variety of high-quality caviars paired with blinis, crème fraiche, and finely chopped onions.
- Truffle-infused delicacies: Incorporate the rich, earthy flavour of truffles into small bites like truffle-infused canapés, truffle macaroni and cheese bites, or truffle-infused devilled eggs for a luxurious touch.
INTERACTIVE DINING
Set up live chef stations where culinary experts prepare made-to-order dishes such as sushi, pasta, or customised steak and seafood selections, allowing guests to interact and personalise their meals.
Make it a global gourmet journey incorporating a variety of international cuisines. Set up themed stations like a Mediterranean mezze bar, an Asian fusion station with sushi and dim sum, or a decadent French pastry or crepe display.
Scale it up with molecular gastronomy stations. Introduce avant-garde culinary techniques. Offer unique creations like edible bubbles, liquid nitrogen desserts, or flavoured foams that mesmerise guests with their presentation and taste. Or feature rare and exotic ingredients from around the world, such as Wagyu beef, truffle-infused delicacies, or extraordinary seafood varieties for an adventurous culinary experience.
Don’t forget that some like it sweet. An artisanal coffee and dessert pairing station can conclude the evening with gourmet flair. Choose excellent coffees, liqueurs, and dessert wines and include handcrafted chocolates, miniature pastries, and decadent sweets.
TECH-INFUSED CULINARY DELIGHTS
Ideal if your corporate operates in the technology space or a mind-blowing addition to the menu if it doesn’t. Wow your guests with catering fused with the latest technology.
Install interactive tabletops where guests can explore digital menus, play games, or even create digital art, offering a modern and engaging dining experience.
Indulge and inspire with 3D printed desserts. Collaborate with culinary technologists to offer 3D-printed desserts customised with intricate designs or company logos, showcasing an intersection of technology and gastronomy.
Impress your guests with augmented reality menus: allowing guests to use their smartphones or tablets to visualise dishes in a digital format before they are served. As they arrive, have an app with amazing filters or animations that appear when you point your phone camera at the dish. Or create a short film or showcase of ingredients adding an element of surprise and anticipation.
CREATE A SIGNATURE SERVE
Nothing says high-end catering like craft cocktails or your own mixology bar. Hire in a mixologist to create bespoke cocktails incorporating premium spirits, seasonal ingredients, and visually stunning garnishes.
Offer a signature festive cocktail themed around your workplace or brand – either using colours found in your logo or incorporating a theme for your workplace and your objectives for the year to come. It’s a fun and memorable way to reinforce your corporate messages too.
FOOD AND DRINK PAIRINGS
Impart knowledge of fine wine and champagne by curating a selection of high-quality wines and champagnes from renowned vineyards and estates to complement the menu. Offer guided tastings for a refined experience.
And remember this idea doesn’t just have to be about wine. Surprise guests with unexpected food and beverage pairings, like artisanal chocolates paired with craft beers, savoury cheeses matched with fine dessert wines, or a cheeseburger station with champagne pairings.
Bring in a beer, gin, even a water sommelier, to add an educational element to the event.
FOOD OR ART?
Collaborate with food artists who create visually stunning edible installations or sculptures. Incorporate elements like chocolate fountains, ice carvings, or even a live painting created entirely with food.
Create a multi-sensory dining experience with elements like aroma diffusers releasing scents that complement the dishes, ambient lighting that changes with each course, and curated soundtracks to enhance the mood.
Combine fine dining with entertainment by hosting a dinner theatre experience or performances where actors or entertainers engage with guests between courses, creating an immersive dining atmosphere.
By incorporating these elements into your corporate Christmas party’s dining experience, you can create a captivating and unforgettable atmosphere that goes beyond exquisite cuisine, leaving a lasting impression on your guests and making the event truly extraordinary.
Thanks for sharing my guide to corporate Christmas party catering. If you need help to create that moment of culinary magic in your next event, drop me an email@ amy@tlc-ltd.co.uk