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On a Stick: Catering Ideas for Your Next Event

We want to create an amazing experience with every bite of food we prepare for your event. The staff at Made by Meg wants every event you host to be fun, exciting and delicious, which is why are always focused on catering to your specific wants and needs. No matter what type of event you are hosting, you can rest easy knowing that the staff at Made by Meg is here to help make your event spectacular with a menu that is sure to satisfy the taste buds of all who attend your event.

How We Make Your Event Fun

Made by Meg provides exceptional catering services for events throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, including Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Marina Del Rey, Bel Air and Long Beach. Our catering services include a stunning menu design, caring and attentive staff, and varying styles that will accommodate any type of event.

Made by Meg offers several different formats for your event: Plated Sit-Down Dinners, Passed Hors d’oeuvres and Cocktail Hour, Tasting Menus, Buffets and Dessert Tables. As your premier Los Angeles caterer, we do want to make sure you create beautiful memories at your event with memorable food options.

Here just a few of our favorite “on a stick” menu items:

  • Prosciutto, Sweet Mustard, & Parmesan Puff Pastry Pinwheels
  • Bacon wrapped Shishito Peppers stuffed with Manchego cheese
  • Coconut Curry Shrimp with Apricot Sweet Chile Sauce
  • Sambuca marinated Prosciutto wrapped Shrimp
  • Bacon Bourbon BBQ Chicken Kebabs
  • Dry Rub Herb crust Lamb Lollipops
  • Lamb Sausage Meatballs with caramelized Onion relish

Sweets on a stick

  • Cake Pops
  • S’mores Station – Guests make their own S’mores over a (controlled) open flame. Station is set up with large Marshmallows, Chocolate Bars, Graham Crackers and paper sleeves for finished treats.
  • Churro Station – Handmade fresh Churros offered with a trio of sauces (Nutella Cinnamon Ganache, Lavender White Chocolate, Silky smooth Raspberry Puree)

Check out our full catering menu here.

Be Sure to Complement Your Menu with Our Beverage Options 

  • Refreshing Beverage Station Duo – Fresh Mint & Cucumber Water, Ginger Infused Honey Iced Tea. Served in stylish beverage dispensers
  • Refreshing Beverage Station Trio – Fresh Mint & Cucumber Water, Ginger Infused Honey Iced Tea, Strawberry Lemonade Served in stylish beverage dispensers.
  • Soft Bar – Ice, Lemons, Limes, Maraschino Cherries, Wine Key, Beer Opener, Cocktail Napkins, mixing of signature cocktail on site. Set-up of all glassware, beverages & ready bar for service.
  • Full Bar Set-Up (perfect for hosts who are providing their own alcohol) – Ice, Bar Fruit, 6 Mixers & Soft Drinks, Water, Beer Opener, Wine Keys. Cocktails Napkins & mixing of signature cocktail on site. Set-up of all glassware, beverages & ready bar for service.

Perfect Events for Menu Items “On a Stick”

If you are planning a fun and casual outdoor wedding or a summertime corporate picnic, our menu items on a stick will be great complements to your fun event. You can relax and enjoy mess-free eating while socializing with your guests. We are excited to bring these unique and delicious “on a stick” menu choices to your event for everyone to enjoy.

How We Make Your Event Exciting

We become involved in every detail of your event to make sure that every step is stress-free for you and your guests. We meet with you to help you select the perfect menu for your event and we make sure that every single dish is perfect before it is served.  The last thing we want you to worry about is the catering at your event – we want you to have fun and just enjoy the tasty food with your guests in an exciting setting.

Contact Made by Meg Today to Set Up a Consultation

Feel free to contact us to set up a catering consultation to discuss your menu. As your premier Los Angeles corporate caterer, we look forward to helping make your event absolutely perfect and delicious! Be sure to check our press and media page for photos of events we have catered! We look forward to making your next event a huge hit with our “on a stick” menu items!

We are available to discuss your catering needs via email, phone and appointment from 9-5 Monday – Friday.

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Our Complete Gluten-Free Food List

The gluten-free diet has become a popular new trend recently, and gluten-free products are starting to dominate the shelves at grocery stores, restaurant and catering menus. A gluten-free diet is important because it eliminates artificial flavoring and chemicals for a natural food product without processing.

By eating gluten-free, you can eliminate unhealthy oils and unhealthy carbs from your diet, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers and other health conditions like diabetes.

Made by Meg has made sure to incorporate plenty of gluten-free menu options to satisfy those who follow the gluten-free diet. We want to ensure that every guest at your event is taken care of and enjoys and delicious meal.

Here is our full list of gluten-free menu items:

Hors D’oeuvres

  • Basil-Crusted Filet Mignon with Shallot Marmalade
  • Asian Short Ribs stuffed Cremini Mushrooms
  • Bacon wrapped Shishito Peppers stuffed with Manchego cheese
  • Dry Rub Herb crust Lamb Lollipops
  • Seared Duck Breast on Wild Mushroom Risotto
  • Fennel glazed Duck with Grappa Cherries & Polenta
  • Eggplant, Parmesan & Pistachio Pizzettas
  • Grilled Parmesan Polenta squares with wild Mushroom Rosemary Ragu
  • Creamy Goat Cheese fried Polenta boxes with fresh Cherries, Marcona Almonds & Meyer Lemon Zest
  • Sweet Potato Fries with Honey Chipotle Aioli
  • Truffle Parmesan & Parsley Shoestring Fries
  • Rock Shrimp Ceviche in Corn Tortilla Cups
  • Alaskan Salmon Con t with Wasabi Creme Fraiche on Crispy Potato
  • Teriyaki Marinated Sirloin on Forbidden Black Rice & Scallions
  • Cold grilled Beef with crunchy Asian matchstick salad with Honey Spice Vinaigrette
  • Prosciutto de Parma wrapped Canteloupe with a Fig Reduction

Soup Shooters

  • Twice baked Potato Soup Shooters with crispy Bacon & Scallion garnish
  • California Tomato Bisque shooter & Micro Basil garnish
  • Spiced Acorn Squash Soup with Nutmeg Crème Fraiche & toasted Pumpkin Seeds Watermelon, Feta & fresh Mint Soup
  • Cavaillon Melon shooters with crispy Proscuitto

Main Course

Poultry

  • Pan roasted Chicken Breast with a Chile Cumin Butter
  • Santa Maria style Grilled Mesquite Chicken
  • Roasted Herb de Provence Chicken Breast, bone in with Pan Dripping Jus Spinach, Prosciutto & Goat Cheese stuffed Chicken
  • Roasted Duck with roasted Cherries & Whiskey Chipotle Sauce

Seafood

  • Seared Cod with Miso Sesame Butter & Pajori
  • Roasted Salmon with Fresh Cilantro Pesto
  • Mahi Mahi Tamari Chile Glaze. Served with Lime wedges & Scallions
  • Seared Alaskan Halibut, Heirloom Tomatoes & Lemon Horseradish Crème Fraiche
  • Pan Seared Scallops wrapped in Pancetta over Cauli ower Puree, Topped with Basil Walnut Pesto
  • Striped Bass with Artichoke Hearts, Cherry Tomatoes, & Leeks

Beef/Pork/Lamb

  • Pinot Noir braised Short Ribs
  • Hand Cut Filet Mignon served with Gorgonzola Shallot Sauce
  • Sliced Santa Maria Style BBQ Tri-Tip with Cherry Tomato Relish
  • Spinach & Mushroom stuffed Beef Tenderloin
  • Roasted Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Apricot Miso Glaze
  • Crispy Braised Pork Belly with Grilled Peaches & Ricotta Salata
  • Guinness Braised Lamb Shanks with crushed fresh Herb oil & Marcona Almonds

Vegetarian

  • Cauliflower Steak with Tahini Sauce, Chickpeas, Roasted Red Pepper & Feta Root Vegetable Gratin with Smoked Mozzarella
  • Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Sage Butter
  • Stuffed Portobello Mushroom with Spinach, Farro & Pine Nuts
  • Spaghetti Squash with Grilled Sweet Peppers, Orange & Spring Onion Sauce Cherry Tomato 6 inch Tart with fresh Mozzarella & Basil
  • Pumpkin Ricotta Lasagna with fresh Basil

Vegetables

  • Roasted Brussel Sprouts with crispy Bacon & Garlic Lemon Butter
  • Grilled Asparagus with First Press Olive Oil & Lemon
  • Grilled seasonal Vegetable Salad with Burrata Cheese & fresh Basil
  • Cold Grilled Corn, Crispy Bacon, Haas Avocado & Shaved Red Onion with light Ranch vinaigrette Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Boccacini, Fresh Basil with tangy Garlic vinaigrette
  • Roasted Wild Mushrooms tossed with Garlic & fresh Herb Butter Grilled Broccolini with shaved Shallots & Manchego Cheese Roasted Acorn Squash with Parmesan & Candied Pumpkin Seeds Spaghetti Squash with Garlic Herb Olive Oil
  • Sautéed Haricot Verts with crispy Shallots
  • Fire roasted Curry Cauli ower
  • Grilled Eggplant with Garlic Cumin Vinaigrette, Feta & Herbs

For the table

  • Brazilian Pao di Quiejo with Salted Honey Butter – Gluten-free dinner rolls

Sides

  • White Cheddar, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Roasted Rosemary & Garlic Fingerling Potatoes
  • Green Jasmine Rice
  • Tahitian Vanilla Bean infused Sweet Potato Puree
  • Quinoa with Sugar Snap Peas, Shaved Red Onion, Cilantro & Tahini Dressing

Dessert

  • Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta with Fresh Berries
  • Handmade French Macaroons
  • Dessert Shooter Trio: Minimum order 20 persons
    • Dark Chocolate Caramel Budino; Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Fresh Berries; Meyer Lemon Custard with fresh whipped Cream.

Check out our full corporate catering menu.

Feel free to contact us to set up a corporate catering consultation to discuss your menu. As your premier Los Angeles corporate caterer, we look forward to helping make your event absolutely perfect and delicious!

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Planning the Perfect Dinner Menu for Your Work Event

Our staff wants your work event to be seamless, delicious and memorable, which is why we are constantly creating new dishes to add to our corporate event menus. From the event planning, to cleaning the very last dish, we are with you every step of the way. Our finely crafted menu options satisfy the palates of just about everyone, which is sure to make your work event stress-free and enjoyable.

How We Make Your Work Event Dinner Exceptional

Made by Meg provides exceptional catering services for work events throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, including Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Marina Del Rey, Bel Air and Long Beach. Made by Meg’s corporate catering services include a stunning menu design, kind staff, and varying styles that will accommodate any kind of dinner event.

We offer several different formats for your corporate event: Plated Sit-Down Dinners, Passed Hors d’oeuvres and Cocktail Hour, Tasting Menus, Buffets and Dessert Tables. As your premier Los Angeles corporate caterer, we go above and beyond to make sure your work dinner is incredible.

Plated Sit-Down Dinner Menu Options:

Main Course

  • Roasted Herb de Provence Chicken Breast, bone in with Pan Dripping Jus
  • Pan Seared Scallops wrapped in Pancetta over Cauliflower Puree, Topped with Basil Walnut Pesto
  • Guinness Braised Lamb Shanks with crushed fresh Herb oil & Marcona Almonds
  • Cauliflower Steak with Tahini Sauce, Chickpeas, Roasted Red Pepper & Feta

Sides

  • Quinoa with Sugar Snap Peas, Shaved Red Onion, Cilantro & Tahini Dressing
  • White Cheddar, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Salads

  • Fresh Strawberries, Crumbled Goat Cheese, Pine Nuts with Mixed Greens & Balsamic Dressing
  • California Cherry Tomatoes, English Cucumbers, Grilled White Corn, Haas Avocado, shaved Manchego cheese over finely chopped Kale. Light house made Ranch

Desserts

  • Pear Crisp with Vanilla Brown Butter
  • Vanilla Bean Bread Pudding with Caramel Cider Apple Sauce
  • Caramel Apple Cheesecake with spiced Crème Anglaise

Cocktail Reception

Hors D’Oeuvres

  • Creamy Goat Cheese fried Polenta boxes with fresh Cherries, Marcona Almonds & Meyer Lemon Zest
  • Cold grilled Beef with crunchy Asian matchstick salad with Honey Spice Vinaigrette
  • Spicy sticky honey baby back Ribs, with shaved Fennel, Basil Cilantro salad
  • Twice cooked pulled Pork Sliders with crunchy spiced Slaw
  • Bacon wrapped Shishito Peppers stuffed with Manchego cheese
  • Crispy Pork Belly on Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
  • Alaskan Salmon Confit with Wasabi Creme Fraiche on Crispy Potato
  • Spicy Shrimp with Bok Choy & Thai Udon Noodles
  • Teriyaki Marinated Sirloin on Forbidden Black Rice & Scallions

Cocktails

Soft Bar

Ice, Lemons, Limes, Maraschino Cherries, Wine Key, Beer Opener, Cocktail Napkins, mixing of signature cocktail on site. Set-up of all glassware, beverages & ready bar for service.

Full Bar Set-Up (perfect for hosts who are providing their own alcohol)

Ice, Bar Fruit, 6 Mixers & Soft Drinks, Water, Beer Opener, Wine Keys,

Cocktails Napkins & mixing of signature cocktail on site. Set-up of all glassware, beverages & ready bar for service.

Dinner Buffet

Stations

Gourmet Slider Bar

Brioche Slider buns, Butter Lettuce Cups, Ketchup & Mustard

Fillings (includes 3): Sirloin Beef Sliders, Slow cooked pulled Pork, Turkey Sliders, Veggie Sliders, Vegan Sliders

Toppings (includes 5): Sliced Heirloom Tomatoes, Sautéed Wild Mushrooms, Crispy Bacon, Gorgonzola Crumbles, American cheese Slices, Chipotle Aioli, Cornichons, Ranch Dressing, Tangy BBQ Sauce

Sushi

Choice of 3 different rolls and one Salad, Station is presented with Soy Sauce, pickled Ginger, 911 Mayo and chopsticks

Rolls:

  • California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Yellowtail Roll, Cucumber Roll, Shrimp Tempura,
  • Tuna Nigiri, Salmon Nigiri
  • Salad: Grilled Octopus Salad, Seaweed Salad, served with Tamari Citrus dressing
  • Asian Noodle Salad – Snow Peas, Broccoli, Shiitake Mushrooms, Asian Pan Noodles and dressed with Citrus Sesame vinaigrette

Desserts

S’mores Station

Guests make their own S’mores over a (controlled) open flame. Station is set up with large Marshmallows, Chocolate Bars, Graham Crackers and paper sleeves for finished treats.

Nostalgic Dessert Bar

Brown Butter Fruit Loop Rice Krispy Treats, Handmade Ding Dongs, Peanut Butter Chocolate Tartlets, Handmade Twinkies, Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies & Milk Shooters

We can’t wait to help you create the perfect menu for your work event. Feel free to contact us to set up a corporate catering consultation to discuss your menu. As your premier Orange County and Los Angeles corporate caterer, we look forward to helping make your work dinner delicious and exciting. Be sure to check our press and media page for photos of events we have catered. Call us at (310) 376-8600 with any questions.

We look forward to making your next corporate event a huge hit with your company.

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Essential Catered Lunch Menus for a Memorable Corporate Event

We want your next corporate lunch to be an event that you are proud of. The staff at Made by Meg wants every corporate event you host to be perfect in every way. This is why are always attentive to your specific direction and needs for the event. We are here to help make your lunch menu spectacular with food that is sure to satisfy the tastes of every single person who attends.

Made by Meg provides exceptional catering services for corporate events throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. We serve Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Marina Del Rey, Bel Air and Long Beach, and beyond.

Our corporate catering services include a beautiful menu, caring and attentive staff, and varying styles to accommodate any corporate lunch event. We offer several different formats for your corporate event: Plated Sit-Down Dinners, Passed Hors d’oeuvres and Cocktail Hour, Tasting Menus, Buffets and Dessert Tables. For a more informal office meeting, we also offer our Lunch Box catering service. As your premier Los Angeles corporate caterer, we go above and beyond to please our clients.

Top 12 Catered Lunch Menus for a Memorable Corporate Event

While we love every item on our menu, there are a few dishes that work exceptionally well for corporate lunches. We’ve carefully curated this list to ensure it’s a hit at your next corporate catered lunch event:

  1. Pan Seared Scallops wrapped in Pancetta over Cauliflower Puree, Topped with Basil Walnut Pesto
  2. Guinness Braised Lamb Shanks with crushed Fresh Herb Oil & Marcona Almonds
  3. Three Cheese Mac n’ Cheese
  4. Cold Grilled Corn, Crispy Bacon, Haas Avocado & Shaved Red Onion with Light Ranch Vinaigrette
  5. Spaghetti Squash with Grilled Sweet Peppers, Orange & Spring Onion Sauce
  6. Quinoa with Sugar Snap Peas, Shaved Red Onion, Cilantro & Tahini Dressing
  7. Roasted Herb de Provence Chicken Breast, Bone In with Pan Dripping Jus
  8. Roasted Duck with Roasted Cherries & Whiskey Chipotle Sauce
  9. Summer Peaches, Roquefort Cheese, Candied Walnuts, Fresh Basil over Baby Arugula, Honey Mustard Balsamic Dressing
  10. Hand Cut Filet Mignon served with Gorgonzola Shallot Sauce
  11. California Cherry Tomatoes, English Cucumbers, Grilled White Corn, Haas Avocado, Shaved Manchego Cheese over finely Chopped Kale, served with Light House Made Ranch
  12. Caramel Apple Cheesecake with Spiced Crème Anglaise

Check out our full corporate catering menu here.

Easy Chef Inspired Corporate Lunches

For regularly scheduled lunch meetings, Made By Meg now offers delicious, upscale lunch boxes for you and all of your colleagues. Our chefs strategically craft delicious daily dishes perfect for any lunch gathering. View the catering calendar here to see what we are cooking up every day. The chef inspired lunches are available Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm for pickup or delivery. Each order comes with proper servings and plating utensils and containers. You will also receive complimentary plastic disposable plates, napkins, cups, forks, knives and spoons.

How We Make Your Corporate Event Seamless

Our clients are not just clients. We become immersed in every detail of your corporate lunch to ensure that it is stress free and enjoyable for your attendees. We meet with you to help you choose the best lunch menu, and we make sure that every single dish is perfect before it is served to your guests. For more menu ideas, check out our blog “5 Menu Ideas for Corporate Lunches.”

Whether you choose to offer your colleagues and guests these suggested top 12 catered menu items or anything else on Made by Meg’s corporate catering menu, we know you will be very pleased with both the food and the service we provide. Our staff is always ready to ensure your corporate lunch is absolutely perfect.

Feel free to contact us to set up a corporate catering consultation to discuss your menu items. As your premier Los Angeles corporate caterer, we are the experts in planning business lunches for both large and small groups! Be sure to check our press and media page for photos of events we have catered. We look forward to making your next corporate lunch a huge hit with your company!

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Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Wedding Catering Ideas

Now that you’ve chosen Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate, one of California’s most breathtaking outdoor wedding venues, you’ll need an exquisite menu to match it. The soft sunlight and rolling hillside provides an alluring backdrop for what will become the most memorable day of your life. Serving personalized wedding fare will help define this enchanting setting as your own. With our creative menu design, top-notch staff and elegant style, Made By Meg ensures the food on your wedding day is a beautiful, delectable and satisfying match for this charming location.

Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate

Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate is one of the most picturesque wedding venues in Los Angeles, California. With its stunning 360-degree view of the ocean, valley, and vineyards, this intimate setting offers almost everything you need for the most romantic wedding under the southern the starry sky.

The estate will treat you and your guest list to a marvelous ceremony on its helipad in the mountains followed by a dinner on the Tuscan-style mansion’s patio. All you need to do is book this dreamy spot and choose your perfect wedding caterer to see your dream wedding come to life.

Made By Meg Catering

While you plan your elegant wedding ceremony and reception in this sophisticated locale, we’ll help make the most of your big day with some insight into top catering trends. We’ve been lucky enough to cater wedding at this venue for many years, and we’d love to share our expertise. In the meantime, we’ve compiled inspiration you can use to envision your perfect wedding day. Below are four catering ideas for a Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate wedding and additional tips for amazing dining on your special day.

1. Source Food Locally

To deliver a health-conscious Californian vibe, source food locally for extraordinary wedding meals at Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate. Fresh food is easy to find in this region, and, if you serve seasonal ingredients, the delectable meal will enhance your guests’ breathtaking views. Furthermore, buying food from local sources is also a great way to make a positive impact on the Los Angeles community. Shop around your local farmers’ market for inspiration and find some ways to make your big day all the more meaningful.

2. Recreate the Mediterranean

Establish a French or Italian atmosphere for a remarkable reception at Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate. Mediterranean food is pleasing to eat no matter where you are, and, if you invest in high-quality, traditional treats, your loved ones will feel like they’re vacationing on the southern European coast. Incorporating Mediterranean cuisine is a great way to match the meal to the dignified villa and surrounding landscape, so choose between French or Italian cuisine and tempt your tastebuds on your wedding day.

3. Don’t Let the Details Overwhelm You

One of the biggest reasons to choose Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate as your wedding spot is that the venue speaks for itself. The stunning vistas and villa provide a large impact, which means that you don’t need to worry about the minutia as much as you might at a different venue. Planning a wedding can be stressful for everyone involved. By hiring experts to carry out the wedding of your dreams, you can pay less attention to the details and spend more time making memories on your big day. Ultimately, picking the best dishes will go farther than extravagant flowers and elaborate place settings.

4. Find Perfectly Paired Wines

Lastly, wine is a sought-after element to any special occasion, and, if your wedding plans include serving the estate owner’s renowned cabernet, your loved ones will soak in the glamorous California vineyards in more ways than one. Serving wines consisting of everyone’s favorite varieties, aromas and flavors is a perfect way to get the party started, so pop some corks and let your friends and family enjoy the captivating setting.

Next Steps

Every dream wedding deserves an unforgettable menu, so try these four catering ideas for a Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate wedding. If you still need help on deciding to tie the knot atop of this mountain, browse our menu or the weddings we’ve catered at Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate and then get in touch with us. Our team of catering experts will be happy to bring your ideas to life. When you’re ready to learn more about the catering options we offer or request a quote, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

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8 Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Caterer

Your wedding is likely one of the most important days of your life. You’ve spent years picking your partner, not to mention the hours dedicated to deciding on the dress or suit, the venue, the flowers and the photographer, so you should be equally as thorough when choosing the caterer. After all, a delicious meal—in addition to celebrating eternal love—is a major draw for many wedding guests.

The type and style of food sets the tone for your wedding, and you want to be sure it tastes great, too.

Here are a few tips to help you with choosing a wedding caterer that’s perfect for you.

1. Determine Your Budget

Before you can begin your search in earnest, you’ll need to determine your budget. Do some preliminary research to see what the typical cost of a wedding caterer is in your area and set your budget from there. When interviewing wedding caterers, be sure to ask what is included in their fee—are table linens, menu design and service provided, for instance. If you’re on a tight budget, tell the caterer your limitations to determine if they can create a package that is right for you.

2. Decide on a Style 

Depending on your budget, you may gravitate toward one dining style over another. After all, when it comes to weddings, there are quite a few to choose from, including passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktail hour, plated sit-down dinners, tasting menus, and buffets, among others. If you know your budget and the style you’re after, this will also make narrowing down potential caterers quite a bit quicker.

3. Start Searching Early to Ensure Availability

Once you’ve set your budget, and know more or less what style and type of catering package you’re looking for, start searching. Caterers are often booked many months—even years—in advance, so locking in a caterer for your date and time should be a high priority.

4. Ask Your Venue for Suggestions

When choosing a wedding caterer, a great option to get going is to ask your venue for catering suggestions, as most venues will have a list of preferred vendors. However, if none of the caterers on the list strike your fancy, you may want to ask your venue if they have certain requirements that caterers on their premises must meet.

Many venues will want to review and approve of the caterer, often requiring proof of certain certificates or licenses before they will allow a caterer to work on their property. You’ll want to know what these are as you interview companies.

5. Ask for Referrals from Friends

Another great option to kick off your search is to ask friends, family members and coworkers who have hosted a catered event in your area for referrals. They can share their experiences of working with their caterer, as well as firsthand knowledge of how the food and service turned out at their events.

6. Read Online Reviews

Finally, if you’re struggling to narrow down your selection, reading online reviews is an excellent way to get a feel for how a caterer has performed in the past. Most reputable caterers will be listed on professional wedding websites, like The Knot. You can also check out Facebook and Yelp with customer reviews that can help you gauge the level and quality of food and service.

7. Schedule a Tasting With Your Top Three 

Now that you’ve done your research and determined your shortlist for wedding caterers, the fun really begins. Now you get to eat! After all, you want to make sure their food lives up to the hype. A tasting also gives you the opportunity to more fully discern whether the quality, style and presentation of their food meets your expectations. Additionally, a tasting prior to finalizing a contract gives you the opportunity to discuss how your own ideas can be worked into their existing menus.

8. Sign the Contract

Once you’ve completed your tastings, and picked your wedding caterer, the last step is to sign your contract. Before signing, you should see a finalized proposal that includes the total cost of the food and drink, which encompasses the menu, catering staff, linens and any additional fees. When you’re happy with the proposal, draw up the final contract, sign and let the caterer take it from there!

If you’re just starting your journey in choosing a wedding caterer, my team and I would love to help make your wedding day one to remember. Connect with Made by Meg today to see how we can accommodate your budget and wedding style.

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6 Cocktail Hour Hors d’oeuvres for Your Next Event

Are you planning your next event? Keep things fresh and fun with some delectable cocktail food ideas, sure to wow your guests and keep their bellies full. Be sure to take a look at Made by Meg’s extensive catering menu and check out my list below of 6 fresh cocktail food ideas to serve at your next event.

#1. Sliders
Sliders are one of my favorite cocktail foods. Who doesn’t love a tiny, bite-sized burger? These hand-held treats are a wonderfully diverse dish to add to your cocktail menu. While sliders are traditionally beef, you can change up the protein to appeal to a wider audience. I like to make an assortment of sliders with different proteins, from beef to chicken, pork to crab. This way there is sure to be something to appeal to all your guests.

Keep it classic with savory mini sirloin sliders topped with aged white cheddar, caramelized onions, and garlic aioli. Try pulled pork sliders with coleslaw for a fun twist. No matter what’s between the buns, sliders are guaranteed to please.



#2. Kebabs
Kabobs are a great addition to your cocktail food menu. They’re quick, easy to make and to eat. Just like sliders, you can swap out different proteins and veggies to create a more diverse menu, with plenty of options for all your guests.

My bacon bourbon BBQ chicken kabobs are always a hit. Spice things up with chorizo and roasted red pepper kabobs. Satisfy your vegetarian friends with assorted veggie kabobs, hot off the grill. Skewer an assortment your favorite proteins and veggies for a tasty cocktail food that will keep your guests coming back for more.


#3. Soup Shooters
We don’t often think of soup as a cocktail food. Bulky bowls and loose spoons aren’t ideal for an event without a seated meal. However with soup shooters, you can add one of your favorite comfort foods to your cocktail food menu. Simply pour your favorite soup into shot glasses and garnish. Guests can enjoy a warm (or cold) delicious soup in an easy-to-eat hand-held form.

California tomato bisque with micro basil and twice-baked potato with crispy bacon and scallion are two of my favorites. Soup shooters are a fun and inventive way to change up your cocktail food menu.

#4. Tea Sandwiches
Tea sandwiches are a classic cocktail food. The perfect finger-food, tea sandwiches are light, easy, and delicious. While everyone loves a cool, crisp, cucumber sandwich, there are plenty of ways to put a fresh new twist on this classic dish.

Change up your bread and use fresh, local ingredients to elevate this essential cocktail food. Try my skillet bacon jam, aged Dublin white cheddar, on black pepper Parmesan sourdough or roasted wild mushrooms, Camembert, and garlic aioli on rosemary olive bread.

#5. Crostinis 
A crispy toasted crostini is an excellent dish to add your next cocktail menu. A crostini is a thin slice of toasted bread topped with delectable cheeses, meats, fruits, and veggies. This is a diverse dish can be modified to make it your own.

Add your favorite local ingredients and this dish is sure to be a hit. I love my California bruschetta with cherry tomato relish, fresh basil, on a toasted crostini, or try a crostini topped with goat cheese, strawberries, and balsamic crème. No matter how you top it, these tiny toasted treats will fly off the tray.

#6. Stuffed Peppers or Mushrooms
Pack your favorite veggies full of tasty filling and you’re sure to have a cocktail dish your guests will love. Stuffed peppers and mushrooms have been a long-time staple on cocktail food menus. These warm, savory treats will keep your guests coming back for more.

This is a great dish to satisfy vegetarians in your group as well. I love my Asian short rib stuffed Cremini mushrooms, and my bacon-wrapped shishito peppers, stuffed with Manchego cheese are sure to satisfy even the most discerning of appetites.

Next Steps

No matter what type of event you are throwing, cocktail food ideas like these are sure to please your guests. Keep your menu fresh, fun, and diverse, and your guests will be raving about your event well after the last slider has been eaten. For more tips and tricks to make your next event a success, reach out to us today. We would love to assist you in planning a memorable, one-of-a-kind event.

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4 Theme Ideas for Office Holiday Events

The holidays will soon be upon us. Some argue that the arrival of Labor Day officially ushers in our nation’s extended holiday season, while others view the transition of summer to fall as the more legitimate signaling of festivities to come. But for most, when Halloween night gives way to November 1st, the matter is firmly decided—holiday spirit is in full swing.

And with the arrival of the holidays, company gatherings are not far behind, which is a great reason to keep these themed corporate holiday event ideas in mind. Far too many company parties fall victim to the “mandatory fun” label, typically as a result of poor execution, an absence of imagination, or (most commonly) lackluster cuisine.

Take a few cues from these theme ideas for corporate holiday events and ensure your company’s party is well received by the staff you hope to please.

office holiday party theme ideas#1. Lights of the Holidays

The holiday season is a widely cherished time of year, if for no other reason than for the festive and often breathtaking lights in which neighborhood blocks, shopping plazas, and town centers become gloriously awash by late-fall.  Importing elements of this annual phenomenon into your corporate party will make for a gathering both classy and perfectly aligned with the season. Give your overhead bulbs a night off, and replace them with pleasant candle lighting.

Regardless of how your festively illuminated party comes together, the food should be first-rate across the board. Holiday cheese displays are always ideal starters for festive parties, while herb butter turkey accompanied by a side of white cheddar mashed potatoes will make for an excellent entrée. Both blend seamlessly with holiday lighting schemes.

#2. Film-Centric

Everybody has a favorite holiday film. Building your party around a “Night at the Movies” theme will be immediately popular. Trivia activities and re-enactment games are easy to arrange and a great way to garner high participation among your audience. You might also consider having an iconic seasonal film playing via projector while the gathering is underway. There’s no shortage of classics on that front.

Another way to enrich the atmosphere is with a creatively arranged tapas bar. Well-conceived tapas spreads consist of savory cheeses, quality meat offerings, artichoke kebabs, and a good deal more. As convenient finger food, tapas are particularly ideal for what will likely amount to an active and lighthearted affair. Involve an excellent caterer in the planning of your film-focused party with the aim of generating a fitting menu.

#3. Costumed Gathering

Although Halloween takes the spotlight as the holiday for costumed events, there is no legislation (that I know of) prohibiting the wearing of costumes after October 31st. Attendees will arrive ready to celebrate the holiday spirit, and themes of this sort lend themselves easily to contests: Best Costume, Most Unique Costume, Funniest Costume, and so on. If you would like to keep with the holiday spirit, consider a Santa/Elves sub-theme.

Costume assembly is time-consuming and parties mandating them can be overwhelming for some. Make sure to provide a hearty, delightful cuisine for the participants and guests, or risk a costumed revolt. Baked ham with a cranberry sauce side always makes for a delicious dinner entrée, particularly when it is prepared by a uniquely gifted catering professional who understands the importance of serving delicious food at events.

office holiday party theme ideas#4. Wintry Landscape

Although Southern California doesn’t see the type of weather that’s traditionally associated with winter, holiday parties are the perfect opportunity to create a festive ambiance. Capturing late-fall and early-winter seasonal elements (think: snow, woodland creatures, holly berries) is central to holiday imagery and is also ideal for the enriching or your corporate office party. Couple a creative blue/white lighting scheme with white backdrops and a few winter-specific props. A seasonal musical track will provide the perfect touch to achieve your desired wintery aesthetics.

In keeping with the seasonally rich experience, your menu should be designed with comfort foods and cuisine uniquely associated with colder climes and alpine environments. Expertly prepared meals and delicious appetizers are mandatory, but don’t shortchange your event on the dessert front. A caramel-laced heirloom apple pie will be the bow atop your winter-themed gathering, and a terrific way to conclude a hearty, creative holiday meal.

Need help planning the menu for your next corporate holiday event? Let Made by Meg match your menu to your theme. Connect today!

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Seasonal Wedding Catering Ideas

Menus and food preferences change a great deal from season to season. What is appetizing in the cold winter months may be comparatively unsavory come summer. Being mindful of changing palates from month to month is essential to good party hosting and savvy meal planning. Having a few seasonal wedding catering ideas at your disposal will ensure your menu aligns perfectly with the weather and the spirit, no matter the time of year.

A combination of factors should be kept top-of-mind when considering your seasonal wedding catering ideas. For one, food is more than its taste and texture (though these are important). There is also the cosmetic aspect to consider.

Ever wonder why certain types of cuisine are routinely associated with tropical environments while others seem to belong strictly in wintry setting? Tastes vary in response to weather and climate, and a skilled caterer is always attuned to such variations.

Fall Wedding Catering Ideas

Not quite associated with rich foods in the way that winter often is, the autumn months tend to invite a certain savory quality back to the scene once the heat of summer begins to wane. There are good reasons many coffeehouses start to reintroduce various pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg beverages onto the menu around this time of year. Something about the fall seems to configure the taste buds for sharp, distinctive flavors. In keeping with those themes, try building your fall catering menu around a series of spice-laden squash dishes.

The full taste of pumpkin purée coupled with cinnamon in the form of a tart or a bar will signal the return of fall climes and keep your guests satisfied all at once. Another variation is the use of acorn squash, which is also a versatile and can be prepared with pasta or in a chili form. A little bit of seasoning and sweetening goes a long way with these menu offerings, but work with a good caterer in determining the best balance.

Sweet potatoes, apples, and soup dishes are another popular choice once the tree leaves begin their descent. Whether as separate dishes or combined into a sweet potato stew, the medley of flavors born of that union is essentially October incarnate. Any wedding feast will be enriched by inclusion.

Winter Wedding Catering Ideas

Let the comfort foods reign supreme. Once the autumn days give way to their cooler winter counterparts, the entire wedding menu planning process changes immediately. Spices stick around but fat and carbohydrates take center stage. Cookies, pies, and eggnog are office place fixtures, and clever variations on these age-old favorites should be shopped past your catering consultant. They’ll likely have some inventive ideas for you.

Select cheeses, glazed ham, and vegetable soups are also at home on a winter catering menu. Whether served sliced on a platter or combined into a full entrée, ham and cheese complement one another very well and can be combined in an endless number of pairing options. Plus, the sandwich potential sells itself.

Soup is as blank a slate as any dish and leans as much or as little towards the spicy side as you do or don’t prefer. Vegetable-rich and meat-heavy recipes alike tend to benefit from select seasonings and generous doses of spice. Work with your catering expert on crafting the best recipes for your winter wedding menu.

Spring Wedding Catering Ideas

The pounds are fated to reveal themselves once winter gives way to a temperate spring. Where sugar and fat are rationalized and justified during the holidays, lighter cuisine in the form of salads, fruit dishes, and lean dishes take center stage in the following months.

Cruciferous vegetables and superfood berries belong on any given spring wedding menu, and for two good reasons. Firstly, they make for excellent meal designs and tasty culinary offerings. Secondly, they are an excellent source of food energy and bodily building blocks. This point is important for those taking on exercise regimens in the interest of shedding excess weight. Try a kale and strawberry salad for a flavorful meal rich in both antioxidants and vibrant color.

Poultry and various forms of ground fowl are extremely well-matched for spring catering menus. Endlessly configurable with infinite menu options, lean hen and quail is easily enhanced when coupled with berries or steamed broccoli.

Summer Wedding Catering Ideas

Winter in reverse. Once summer dawns, all bets are off where physiques and waistlines are concerned. Carbohydrates are a tough sell with beach body goals top of mind, but citrusy flavors and various types of melon are an excellent finger food addition to any wedding catering spread.

Lean beef and healthy cuts of fish are hugely popular for the grilling scene. Both of these are well matched with peppers and pineapple slices. Kebabs are easy and can be tailored to accommodate any number of dietary preferences. A gifted caterer will know just how to configure your summer meat and fruit spread for catered gatherings large and small.

Start Planning Your Wedding Food

Ready to start planning your wedding? Let Made by Meg help with all of the food arrangements and take the hassle, work, and worry off your plate. Connect today!

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The Ultimate Guide to How Much Food to Serve at a Party

Good company, great music, and flavorful food are the makings of any enjoyable party. On that last point, it is only the most poorly planned of festive gatherings that does not at least have snacks, hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, and spirits on hand for its hungry guests. And while not all occasions call for a three-course meal or a dinner-sized entrée, a few finger food options and perhaps a light dessert might do just fine. But a question all hosts and hostesses end up asking themselves is what sized portions are best for their situation? This ultimate guide has answers for that question.

In many cases, serving guests a complete meal is both expected and sensible, and there are fortunately excellent and inspired caterers capable of delivering on that scale. But parties range from casual after work affairs to carefully planned birthday celebrations, and these call for different types and quantities of cuisine. Take a look at The Ultimate Guide to How Much Food to Serve at a Party for a sense of what sort of servings make sense in your case. These are recommendations and can be modified as the host likes, but by and large the guide offers a foolproof baseline for each party type.

Portioning Recommendations for Your Party

1.Wedding Receptions

If any party calls for a full meal spread, it is the party following a wedding ceremony. Weddings often run long and ask a lot of guests in terms of dressing up, arriving early, staying late, and listening to longwinded toasts. By dinnertime, everyone in attendance is fantasizing about a trip to that fast food joint they drove past on the way in. Work with a skilled catering service to create a large portion, three-course menu—one that will keep your guests from racing to the exits for dinner. Appetizers will also keep hunger from setting in too heavily; these can be planned to match your dinner’s cultural/ethnic theme, or they can stand on their own.

2. Birthday Parties

Birthdays are often seen as an occasion for cocktails, gag gifts, embarrassing stories, and more cocktails. And though a birthday party can be all of those things, feeding guests should not be overlooked, especially if you hope for a good turnout the following year. Because of their typically casual nature, birthday parties are perfect for hors d’oeuvres and smaller plates of tasty morsels.

Provide your guests with a mix of healthier greens/fruits, something in the way of smaller salad, but don’t forget to indulge while you’re celebrating. Wings and burger sliders, for instance, are good for the taste buds and meet the smaller portion guidelines, as well.

3. Office Parties

Based on the time of day and whether or not the event is onsite, office parties can run the full Portion Guidelines gamut. In most cases, self-serve sandwiches, chips, and bottles of water are satisfactory to all, but the options should not end there. Flatbreads have gained popularity in recent years, and can be prepared in health-conscious styles. Like pizza, a flatbread menu allows party patrons to serve themselves as much or as little as they like.

Keep the portions light and modest with your office party; there are plenty of options available to you.

4. Sports Parties

Whether it’s the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, or the Olympics, these major events have people gathering in living rooms and dens across the country. The Ultimate Guide to How Much Food to Serve at a Party suggests very large servings of food at sports parties, but in smaller, finger food varieties. Nachos, hot dogs, buffalo wings, and deviled eggs are cornerstones of the sports event diet, and an inspired caterer can help you put these menu items on offer in original ways. Whatever ends up on the platter, make sure the portions are particularly large.

5. Graduation Parties

High school and college graduates bring sizable appetites with them to every table, party or no party. In the case of a graduation party, keep the menu simple, ample, and flavorful. Pizza (or flatbread) is literally always a safe bet, as are cheese & cracker plates, sandwich platters, and fruit trays. Variety and quantity are key to a successful graduation celebration; whether you go with a couple of these recommendations or all of them, don’t skimp on the portions.

Planning Food for Your Next Party

Ready to start planning your next get together? Let Made by Meg help with all of the food arrangements and take the hassle, work, and worry off your plate. Connect today!