The holidays have a funny way of feeling far away right up until your calendar suddenly fills with office parties, family gatherings, client events, and end-of-year celebrations.
If you’re planning an event in Calgary, holiday catering for corporate parties and private events is one detail worth sorting out early. December is a popular month for celebrations across the city, and the dates everyone wants tend to attract plenty of competition.
So, when should you start planning holiday catering for corporate parties and private events? October can be a smart time to start the conversation, particularly if you have a larger guest list, specific date, or custom menu in mind.
Why Start Planning in October/November?
You don’t necessarily need every detail finalized months ahead, but starting earlier gives you more room to work with.
Popular December Fridays and weekends can fill quickly as companies and families compete for convenient dates. Beginning your search in SOctober gives you time to coordinate your venue, guest list, catering requirements, and other details without trying to put everything together while simultaneously shopping for gifts and attending three other Christmas parties.
If your date is important, it’s always worth inquiring about holiday catering for corporate parties and private events early rather than assuming your preferred date will still be available.
Larger Events Benefit From More Lead Time
Planning dinner for 20 people and organizing a large company holiday party aren’t quite the same job.
At Rocky Mountain BBQ, we happily caters events ranging from intimate gatherings to large functions, with mobile units that allow us to cook fresh on-site. For bigger events, there can be more to coordinate, including service style, setup, staffing, equipment, menu quantities, and dietary requirements.
More lead time gives us an opportunity to understand what your event needs and help you build the right catering plan!
Have Your Event Details Ready
You don’t need to know every little detail before contacting a caterer. Having a few basics ready, however, can make the planning process much smoother:
- Preferred date and serving time
- Venue or event location
- Estimated guest count
- Type of event
- Menu ideas or preferences
- Dietary restrictions or allergies
- Preferred service style
- Budget considerations
Guest counts can change, especially when you’re waiting on RSVPs. Starting with a realistic estimate gives your caterer something to plan around while the final numbers come together.
Give Custom Menus Time to Come Together
Want something beyond a standard holiday spread? That’s another good reason to inquire early.
Our custom catering can accommodate everything from corporate functions and private parties to larger celebrations. Menu possibilities include options such as AAA roast beef or prime rib with a carving station, New York striploin steak, chicken, salmon, pulled pork, and plenty of sides.
We can also discuss vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergy-friendly, and other specialized requests. The sooner we know what you’re envisioning, the more time there is to work through the details.
Book the BBQ Before December Gets Cooking
Great holiday events should feel festive, not frantic.
If you’re organizing holiday catering for corporate parties and private events in Calgary, getting the conversation started early can give you more time to focus on your guests and the celebration itself. Reach out to us at Rocky Mountain BBQ’s and let us take care of the cooking, setup, serving, and cleanup!
Bring us the party. We’ll bring the BBQ.