Holiday Party Catering FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

The earlier, the better! Especially if your event falls on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday in November or December.

Holiday dates can fill quickly for caterers, venues, rentals, and other event vendors. If you already know your preferred date, estimated guest count, and general location, that’s enough to start the conversation with our team.

You don’t need to have your entire menu figured out before reaching out. That’s what we’re here for.

Holiday parties can look very different depending on the group, venue, and budget. We cater corporate holiday parties, office lunches, employee appreciation events, client celebrations, private holiday parties, and larger end-of-year events throughout the Bay Area.

Whether you’re hosting 30 coworkers at the office or planning a larger celebration at an event venue, we can help build a menu and service style around the occasion.

Yes. Our holiday buffet is one of the easiest ways to create a complete meal while still giving guests choices.

Our holiday buffet menus can include one or two entrées, two sides, one salad, and a choice of bread, with a variety of seasonal dishes available.

Entrée options range from traditional holiday favorites such as oven-roasted turkey breast with gravy and cranberry sauce and applewood-smoked ham to slow-smoked tri tip, braised short ribs, salmon, chicken, pasta, and vegetarian or vegan entrées.

Your sales associate can help you put together a combination that makes sense for your guest list, event style, and budget.

Not at all.

Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce are classics for a reason, but your holiday party doesn’t have to look like Thanksgiving dinner.

Consider salmon, slow-smoked tri tip, braised beef, herb-roasted chicken, pasta, seasonal vegetables, or vegetarian entrées. We can help create a menu that still feels festive without being overly traditional.

Absolutely. For cocktail-style holiday parties and networking events, passed and stationary hors d’oeuvres can be a great alternative—or they can be served before a buffet dinner.

Holiday appetizer options include everything from smoked salmon crostini and crab bisque shooters to bulgogi short rib skewers, crisp pork belly, wild mushroom phyllo bites, cranberry brie bites, cheese boards, and seasonal dips.

This format works especially well when you want guests moving around, talking, and enjoying the event rather than sitting down for a traditional meal.

Yes. Dietary preferences should be part of the planning process, not an afterthought.

Our holiday menus include vegetarian and vegan choices, including seasonal pasta dishes, wild mushroom bourguignon, roasted butternut squash and kale ravioli, salads, vegetables, and other customizable options.

Let your sales associate know about known dietary needs when planning your menu so we can recommend the best options for your group.

There are plenty of options, so you can make the menu feel as traditional—or as contemporary—as you’d like.

Seasonal sides can include garlic mashed potatoes, Asiago potatoes, roasted Yukon potatoes, stuffing with apples and cranberries, wild rice pilaf, sweet potatoes, green beans, Brussels sprouts, roasted seasonal vegetables, broccolini, and more.

Salad options range from classic Caesar to seasonal combinations featuring apples, pears, cranberries, pomegranate, pistachios, walnuts, goat cheese, butternut squash, kale, and other seasonal ingredients.

You can keep dessert simple or turn it into another part of the party.

Options include assorted cookies, brownies, mini cheesecake bites, individual dessert cups, chocolate pecan brittle, caramelized apple bread pudding, seasonal pies, and other sweets.

For something especially festive, consider a hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, peppermint sticks, and whipped cream, or add fresh-brewed coffee and hot apple cider for an easy after-dinner station.

Yes—and you shouldn’t have to figure that out yourself.

Guest count, event length, time of day, menu, and service style all affect how much food you’ll need. A cocktail reception with passed appetizers requires a different approach than a lunchtime buffet or a three-hour evening party.

Our sales team will help recommend quantities based on the specifics of your event.

Yes. There are several ways to build a holiday catering menu, and your sales associate can help identify where it makes sense to spend and where you can simplify.

Your guest count, entrée selections, number of courses, service style, staffing, rentals, and event location can all affect the final proposal.

Our goal is to build an event around your priorities rather than force your party into a predetermined package.

Our holiday buffet menus include disposable paper products. Linens, china, silverware, and glassware can be added for an additional cost.

Serving labor is additional, along with the applicable operations fee, gratuity, and current sales tax. Your personalized proposal will break down the costs associated with your specific event.

Yes. Depending on the event, our team can provide the appropriate service staff needed for setup, food service, maintaining the buffet or stations, and other catering needs.

Because staffing requirements vary considerably between an office lunch and a large evening reception, labor is determined based on the details of your event.

Yes. Catering is only one part of creating a smooth event.

If your celebration requires items such as linens, china, silverware, glassware, or other rentals, talk with your sales associate about what you’ll need. Our team can help you think through the practical details so you’re not trying to piece everything together at the last minute.

We cater events throughout the greater Bay Area, including Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon, Hayward, San Jose, Santa Clara, and surrounding communities.

We also work with a variety of offices, private properties, wineries, and event venues throughout the region.

Please do.

You don’t need a finalized menu or perfectly calculated guest count before contacting us. An approximate date, location, guest count, and idea of the type of celebration you’re planning is a great place to start.

From there, our sales team can walk you through menu options, service styles, staffing, and the details that make sense for your event.