This winter was a tough one: cold temps and a polar vortex, ice and snow, and gray gloom. Now that it’s summer, though, it’s a great time to think about planning a company event.
From a twist on the company picnic to a wrap party for that big project, celebrations bring your team together. Gatherings give everyone a chance to mix and mingle—and social time can help your employees connect in ways that boost teamwork. And, if you’re a manager or business owner, you already know that showing your appreciation can go a long way by reminding employees of your loyalty and thanking them for a job well done.
Good food, of course, is the centerpiece of almost every celebration. And work events are no exception. No one loves a company potluck, and the pizza party isn’t always the crowd-pleaser you think it will be. If you’re planning to bring the team together this summer, be sure you’re also planning to include catered food with flair.
After all, food sets the tone for your event—it can elevate it to elegance or add a dash of exotic. Looking for ideas on how to use catering to make your company or corporate event special? We’ve got you covered.
Host a happy hour
A happy hour can be a fun event to welcome new team members, cut the ribbon on a new facility, wrap up a challenging project, or simply say thanks. Choose to host it after work, or perhaps close early for the event. You can plan a menu that includes light bites or a light meal.
Plan an offsite teambuilding event
From a ropes course to a charity run, off-site events give employees new ways to connect. With many of these hands-on activities, your employees will work up an appetite. Bring in breakfast or lunch, depending on what time of day and what type of event you’re planning. Pressed for time? Cold or boxed lunch catering (link: lunch catering) can make schedules run smoothly.
Take the annual meeting up a notch
Celebrating an anniversary? Planning a major announcement? Give your annual meeting (link: annual meeting) a refresh with an elegant off-site event with a hot lunch or dinner buffet.
Let loose with a BBQ picnic
Tired of the same old company picnic? Bring in BBQ (link: BBQ)! You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who can resist delicious BBQ cooked on-site, including hot dogs, bratwurst, bone-in BBQ chicken, and baby back ribs. Whether you’re picnicking outside or partying inside, BBQ is always a popular choice.
Wow the out-of-towners
Bringing in the sales force from the field? Show them how much you appreciate their work with a delicious catered meal. Chicago is a food town, after all, so ensure your meal is food with flair.
Be creative with your menu
Themed menus and events can help you transport your team—even if you never leave the office. An experienced and flexible caterer can offer you choice, from BBQ to elegant Italian dinner buffets to a variety of on-the-go off-site menu (link: off-site menu) options.
At Catering with Elegance, we know flair. We serve it every day. We’ve catered thousands of corporate and business events in the Chicago area, which is why we offer breakfast menus, hot and boxed lunch options, and a variety of themed dinner menus, including taco bar and fajita bar options, Asian-influenced choices, elegant Italian buffets, BBQ and more. Most of our packages start at just 15 guests.
Since 1959, Catering with Elegance has combined beautiful venues, mouthwatering food, and top-notch service to transform events into treasured memories. We offer full-service catering and event management at two beautiful west suburban locations as well as off-site service for weddings, celebrations, and corporate events.