Catering offers a level of intimacy that clients find particularly appealing, especially during the holiday season! Whether you are planning a company party for 200 or a more intimate gathering at your home, a few simple planning tips to discuss with your Event Planner will make your celebration more enjoyable by all.

Food

A traditional dinner buffet will always be more cost effective; and it is easier to prepare and to serve. The buffet also allows your guests choices of what they want; and allows them to take the portions they are comfortable with.

Heavy hors d'oeuvres can replace a light dinner or can be served before your dinner. Made From Scratch has delicious hot selections including a variety of homemade Meatballs, Hot Crab Au Gratin, Chicken Tikka Masala, Beef Tenderloin skewers; and miniature Quiche. Some of our more popular chilled selections include: our Smoked Gouda Log, fresh Fruit and Cheese platters, Shrimp Cocktail Shooters; and a delicious homemade Hummus trio.

Desserts are everyone's favorite! Made From Scratch offers a variety of freshly made homemade goodness including: Iced Sugar Cookies, miniature and full-size Cheesecakes, Pies, Brownies; and Tiramisu. Having a dessert buffet offers a variety to your guests and allows them to "sample" various flavors.

Beverages are also an important element of every holiday celebration. Why settle for just Coffee when you can have a gourmet Coffee Station? Why settle for Beer and Wine when you can offer your guests a signature drink? Made From Scratch will help you create the perfect specialty drink!

Decor

Part of creating that perfect holiday event is to create a focal point within your room. Perhaps it could be a fireplace, a Christmas tree, buffet table, gift table, food station, or a dessert station. Made From Scratch can create that perfect focal point for you while supplying all tables and chairs for your guests to sit down and enjoy the festivities.

The aroma of the delicious food served by Made From Scratch will entice all your guests. However, to enlighten the senses and give that extra holiday feel, we can also provide scented candles, fresh cut pine greens or potpourri of cinnamon, cloves and orange slices.

Try to stay with one theme and style when preparing your event. Although many enjoy the multi-colored lights, white lights can be used with any color scheme or theme you select. Blue and white can create a winter wonderland effect; while rich reds and browns can be combined with warmer more "old fashioned" or traditional schemes. Our talented Event Consultants can guide you in the right direction.

Just remember, the holidays are a time to be with friends, family and loved ones. Let Made From Scratch help create a new tradition.

Tags: Untagged Read More

Just because you love lamb and liver, doesn’t mean your vegetarian Aunt Mildred will. It’s important to offer your guests a vegetarian or special diet option when preparing your menu.

VEGETARIAN
Serving just a salad isn't always enough. Giving guests the option of a Vegetarian Entrée upon request is a thoughtful gesture that will not go unnoticed. This way, every guest enjoys the food and can leave feeling satisfied.

Made From Scratch Fine Catering and Event Design in Columbus, Ohio offers many Vegetarian and Vegan options. A small sampling of those items are:

Breakfast: Muffins and Breakfast Breads (vegan option), Potatoes, Oatmeal (vegan option), and Yogurt & Granola.

Lunch: Tex-Mex Wraps (vegan option), Greek Vegetarian Wrap, marinated Vegetable Pasta Salad, Twice Baked Potato Salad, Hummus, Couscous Wrap, Cookies and Brownies, Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies, Vegan Veggie Salad, Pickled Red Onion Cauliflower

Dinner: Wild Mushroom Bouchees, Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini, Wild Mushroom Risotto (vegan option), Butternut Squash Ravioli, Parmesan Encrusted Cod Filet, Vegetable Lasagna, Grilled Vegetable Tower, individual Bruleed Key Lime Tart

FOOD ALLERGIES
Let your Event Consultant know ahead of time about guests with special food allergies. This way the food can be specially prepared to avoid contamination.

KIDS
Kids can sometimes be picky eaters. If you plan to have children at your event, always include "kid friendly" food. If having a plated dinner or assigned seating for a buffet, let your Event Consultant and/or Event Captain know which tables have children so they can serve food directly to them.

Some favorite Made From Scratch kids choices are: Corndogs or Hotdogs, Hamburgers, Pizza, Chicken Tenders, Macaroni & Cheese, Quesadillas, Fresh Fruit Salad, Apple Wedges, and Baby Carrots

KOSHER
Although Made From Scratch is not equipped to properly prepare Kosher meals for your guests, we are happy to contact the local Kosher supermarket and have a special meal prepared and sealed until your guest is ready to eat.

Tags: types of food, food choice, guests food choice Read More

It’s time to plan your event. Great tasting food is a definite. Decorations are a must. Servers to help run the show are necessities. The basics of event planning you know, but what questions should you really be asking when picking a catering company?

What Is Your Health Record?
Health inspection reports for food services are available online for most counties in Ohio. If not available online, you can request to see the current inspection report from the local Public Health Department. It is important to know that you are serving your guests safe food. No one wants to remember your event by how sick they were afterwards.

Is There An Emergency Contact?
Your Event Consultant at Made From Scratch will be prepared for any scenario during your wedding, corporate event, or social get-together. Not only will your Event Consultant be reachable at all times, but your event Captain will be present the duration of your event, making sure you and your guests have all needs met.

Is It An All-Encompassing Caterer?
Our logo is "One Call - One Company - One Fantastic Event" Made From Scratch will
handle all the logistics of the day, so you don’t have to worry about getting the right people... to the right place... at the right time.

Is The Food Fresh?
You never have to wonder if the food we prepare is warmed up in a microwave a few minutes before the start of the event or...if the chef hand picks each ingredient and cooks it to perfection!

Made From Scratch’s food is prepared just as the name implies. Our Executive Chef, Tom Nelson, partners with local food purveyors to pick the freshest ingredients. Preparing the food to perfection, he works right up until the last minute making sure the food served to your guests is always fresh and delicious.

Are There Recommendations You Can See?
Who better to know if a caterer does a great job, than past clients? Testimonials from previous hosts and guests can help make or break your commitment to a catering company and their staff.

Don't be shy in asking to see testimonials - your caterer should not hide this important information from you. Made From Scratch has no problem sharing past testimonials from clients.

What Kind of Licenses Does The Company Have?
Are they legally permitted to prepare food in their home for the number of guests you are planning? Are they licensed to serve wine? Beer? Or any kind of liquor? Do they have insurance?

By asking these questions up front, you avoid any legal situation that may take place during your event.

Made From Scratch has food, vendor and liquor license. We also have a general insurance policy to ensure that you and your guests are safe. We are more than happy to provide you with a copy.

What is the Service Staff Like?
You don’t want your event to be under staffed or over staffed. Make sure to ask what the ratio between wait staff and guests are. This way, you are not being charged for unnecessary staff; nor will your guests suffer from poor service.

Also, what the service staff wears can effect the mood of your event. Made From Scratch servers are always professional and polished dressed in all black attire with purple paisley ties.

What Will Be Included On Your Final Invoice?
Everyone has accidents, but you should make sure to ask if you will be charged for lost or broken china after the event. Also, will the caterer automatically include tax and gratuities in your bill? Made From Scratch feels tipping is at your discretion and not a necessity. However, if you choose to add a gratuity at the end of the day, our invoice offer a simple tipping policy - based on performance - not the final amount of the bill.

What IS An Actual Catering Company?
A full-time dedicated catering and event company, such as Made From Scratch, will be able to dedicate more time and manpower to your event than a restaurant caterer. Event Consultants, the Operation Crew, Servers; and kitchen staff are trained to cook and perform on location. Giving your guests white tablecloth dining service no matter where they are.

How Much Experience Does The Company Have?
Don’t put your special event in the hands of an amateur?. Make sure they have the knowledge and experience to plan and execute events of all sizes and variety. The company may be less expensive, but what you will save in money, you will loose in food quality, staff experience and overall execution.

Made From Scratch and its team of Event Consultants have more than 20 years experience in designing and executing events of all types and sizes. They can handle anything that comes their way and are always prepared for the unexpected the day of your event.

Tags: what your should know, questions, catering Read More