Hosting is hard enough, especially if you don’t have a caterer or huge team behind you. Stand out as a host and kick off summer grilling season with unexpected menu items that you can put on the grill, beyond the meat that usually first comes to mind when you think of grilling. These are great and easy dishes to make in advance and either pull out of the fridge or flash on the grill so you’re not away from your guests for too long during your event. The host should enjoy the party as well!

To hear more about Chef Meg’s Memorial Day broadcast segment, where she demonstrated unexpected treats & sips for viewers, the recording can be found on the KLTA’s website here.

Elevated Side Dishes

Summer Refresh Salad: Watermelon balls, feta cheese, mint leaves, & arugula with lemon vinaigrette

• Why It’s Cool: Watermelon is an amazing fruit flavor that always makes people think of summer. They make for a fresh and refreshing seasonal salad, especially when everyone is hot on Memorial Day weekend. These flavors go together so well and you can easily make this and put it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat it so you can spend more time with your guests. I enjoy using a scooper to make round melon balls, and I recommend having the dressing on the side in a nice jar so that the salad doesn’t get soggy if serving buffet style.

House-made honey butter corn on the cob with Maldon salt

• Why It’s Hot: Corn is another quintessential summer staple, and a lot of times people don’t think to add any extra flavor. I’ve added salted honey butter before I put them on the grill; that really makes it pop and it’s one of nature’s original to-go foods, great for carrying while walking around a backyard.

Grilled zucchini with ricotta cheese

• Why It’s Cool: Cut zucchini lengthwise into ¼ inch ribbons, as you don’t want it any smaller or you risk it falling through the grates in the grill.  For the zucchini temperature, you’ll want to serve either room temp or cold; you don’t want them hot because it wouldn’t work well with the ricotta; either pre-grill them and set them aside on a counter or give them some time in the fridge after grilling. Dollop on fresh ricotta cheese, and serve topped with fresh mint and maldon salt. You can either add on with walnuts if you’re aware that your guests don’t have nut allergies, otherwise you can have them in a jar next to your grilled zucchini ribbons for guests to add themselves.

Desserts

Fresh grilled yellow peaches with balsamic reduction and a scoop of vanilla ice cream  

• Why It’s Cool: It’s easy to get hung up on getting hung up on making a complicated show-stopping dessert when you’re having people over, like cake or pastries, but not everyone has that kind of time. Peaches are in season during the summer and are incredible in Southern California, especially when you get them from a farmers market. While the grill is on, cut a few yellow peaches in half, get them nice and warm, pop them off the grill, and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Once you have your peaches ready, place them in a bowl for your guests to enjoy over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and finish with balsamic reduction for an extra blast of flavor. You’ll want to use yellow peaches because white peaches brown much faster, and, if possible, use freestone peaches so that the fruit easily pulls away from the pit. Even better, this is another gluten free dessert – perfect for any of your surprise gluten-free guests.

Chilled watermelon popsicles 

• Why It’s Cool: Another fun way to use chilled watermelons is as a healthy popsicle alternative. Cut them into triangles, stick a popsicle stick in the rind, set them on a platter, and store in the fridge until it’s showtime. It’s an easy, natural, no-added-sugar gluten free popsicle stick that parents will appreciate. If you want to spike them with alcohol for the adults 21+, after you cut the watermelons into triangles and right before you serve them, drizzle vodka over the top, then let it sit in the fridge until your adult guests are ready to party.

Beverages 

Mocktail: Watermelon Mint Refresher   

• Why It’s Cool: Have a pre-batched and labeled mocktail in a glass dispenser next to a bottle of your favorite vodka for the adults ready to party. Our Watermelon Mint Refresher, also lovingly known as a Watermelon Mint Spritz, is made with fresh watermelon juice, watermelon chunks (both to go into the dispenser and on the side to go in the glassware), fresh squeezed lime juice, house made mint syrup, fresh mint leaves, and soda water. To garnish, we recommend both a dehydrated lime wheel and fresh mint sprig.

Catering an event, regardless of the occasion, is an exciting and overwhelming process. If you are looking for a caterer for your upcoming event in Southern California, please contact us to learn about our services and our menu options. You can also follow us on Instagram for daily inspiration and a peak at our most recent work! 

Whether you are planning an anniversary celebration, birthday party, annual dinner party, or the wedding of your dreams, working with a caterer will make hosting easier and can elevate your event with incredible flavors, design, and service. There are many questions that pop up once you decide to cater a party – how much should you spend per person? Are you going to stick to a theme? What food and beverages are the best options? What if people have strict allergies or dietary restrictions? Are you ordering enough food for the amount of guests attending? 

We’re happy to share catering advice for couples who are planning a big event to celebrate life milestones or to make a regular day extra special, but the main thing to remember is to stay calm and organized! Food is a very important part of every event, and you surely want your guests to have a great time while also leaving satisfied.

Top Tips for Determining Your Budget, Venue, & Menu:

#1 – Budget

First things first – discuss your overall budget for the entire event, starting with the two traditionally largest costs – your event venue and the food and beverage catering. If you are planning a wedding you need to take many things into consideration for your budget, including décor, photography and videography, music and entertainment, florals, favors and place settings, invitations and stationary, transportation, photo booth, hair and makeup, planner fees, venue rental, chairs, tables, linens, plates, silverware and glassware (rentals are dependent on if your venue provides them or not), and more depending on your event.

Once you have put together a list of all the services and physical items you will need for your event, you can start putting dollar amounts next to each as you budget how much you can and expect to spend respectively. If you have a strict fixed budget, it can be helpful to work backwards – create a spreadsheet with the total funds dollar amount listed, subtract your largest fixed costs next (estimated expenses for the venue and caterer), and then find and select your remaining vendors based on the leftover budget. Catering is typically one of the largest expenses, after the venue, because it includes food, beverage, and full service throughout the event. Once you have your priorities list compiled, you can better compare the information from the variety of vendors after you’ve received their quotes. If you’re planning a formal gathering, we would recommend working with a professional event coordinator or event planner who can help you prioritize, introduce you to preferred vendors, and negotiate on your behalf where possible.  

When deciding on a catering budget you will want to think about the types of food and beverages you would like to offer to attendees – whether the meal will be a buffet, family style, or seated multi-course, if you want individual food stations, if there’s a sentimental or nostalgic cuisine you’d like to enjoy at your wedding, how many passed hors d’ oeuvres you would like served during cocktail hour, what type of beverages you’d like at your bar, etc. You can start off by writing a list of your non-negotiables when it comes to your wedding catering, such as if your priorities are the highest quality of food, top tier service, or if you want to feed the masses as quickly as possible to get them on the dance floor. If you’re unsure about determining the catering service style you’d like for your wedding, we put together an outline with descriptions on the 7 most popular wedding menu service style options.

Another thing that plays into your catering budget is the total guest headcount. Your final guest count is typically due two weeks before your wedding date, necessary for both determining your table place settings and ensuring the correct quantity of food and beverage is ordered. When sharing numbers with your caterer, start with a desired estimate based on the number of invites sent and responses received thus far, and be prepared with the hard cut-off closer to your event so that your caterer can ensure the perfect amount is served. If you expect to receive a large amount of late last-minute RSVP’s, you might consider adding a few extra guests into the count just in case you need to accommodate for a slightly larger party than originally anticipated. Most caterers will account for a buffer in case additional meals need to be added, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry so you don’t run out of food at your wedding reception. When putting together the menu service, if you’re planning to offer late night snacks, note that they aren’t essential for every guest – some people DO leave after the cake is served, and you do not need late night service for your full list, and you can safely lower the count for this section of your menu.

#2 – Venue

When choosing your event venue space in Southern California there are 9 key things to consider as you evaluate your wedding venue options:

• LOCATION – How important is convenience to you? Where are the majority of your A-list guests traveling from? Do you want your venue by the beach, in a hotel, with views of the ocean, in the hills/mountains, in a chateau, in a historic house, or full of tropical plants that make your wedding feel like a jungle?
  
  
• INDOOR / OUTDOOR – Do you want an ocean view ceremony lawn on grass or sand, an outdoor cocktail reception area, an indoor banquet room, and/or an indoor dance floor? In Southern California, many wedding venues (not all – there’s a wide variety of venue setups to choose from!) have the ceremony outdoors, and as the weather starts to cool as evening approaches, the event is moved to a combination of indoor-outdoor for cocktail hour and golden hour, and then indoors for the dinner service and dancing.  
  
  
• AVAILABILITY – If you’re tied to a specific date that is sentimental to you and your partner, is the venue available on that day? What time of year are you planning on hosting your event? Which day of the week fits best with your budget, calendar, and desired season? How far in advance does your venue typically accept bookings, and how far ahead are the dates typically reserved?
  
  
• EXCLUSIVITY & PRIVACY – Will there be multiple events going on at your venue simultaneously, or will you have exclusive access to the property for the duration of your event? Will the public walk around the area and end up in the background of your photos?
  
  
• STAFF CAPABILITIES – If there are multiple other events taking place at the same time as yours, how will the onsite staff meet your needs while also working with the other events? What staffing does your venue include with your package, and which staff do you need to hire? If you’re in charge of bringing in staff, do they have a preferred vendor list?
  
  
• GUEST COUNT – Based on your vision, do they have a smaller space for if you’re looking for a more intimate wedding, and/or do they have a larger space that can fit a grand event? What are their minimum and maximum capacities, and how does this number change based on where you’d like your guests seated? Can the venue accommodate the number of people you would ideally like to invite, and what is the guest count you realistically expect? Have you already sent out your save the dates or received RSVPs? Some venues can accommodate larger numbers depending on the different spaces reserved, while others have fixed caps on capacity.
  
  
• COST – Does the venue fit within your wedding budget? What types of package tiers do they offer? Make sure to ask for all-in pricing from your venue and vendors so you have a clear understanding of the totals you can expect.
  
  
• KITCHEN – Does the venue allow you to bring your own caterer, or do you have to use the onsite kitchen and corresponding staff? If you do hire an outside caterer, does the kitchen meet the needs of your selected catering vendor? If you’re allowed to bring in outside catering, does the venue have a list of preferred catering vendors you need to select from? Make sure to also inquire about the kitchen setup when looking at venues. You can save on wedding catering by renting a venue that has a built-in kitchen so that your caterer doesn’t need to bring and build their own kitchen setup and equipment.
  
  
• PARKING – Is parking included for you, your guests, and your vendors? How many designated parking spaces are allocated, and does your venue include valet or parking lot attendants? Is there enough parking for your estimated guest count? Is the parking convenient or will you have to shuttle guests to and from the property?
  

#3 – Menu 

When selecting the menu for your event, you’ll want to determine whether you want your food experience to be themed & casual or more upscale. From there, your caterer will help guide the dishes based on which ingredients are in season, and what style of service you prefer – buffet, family style, stations or seated service. Each option has its own pros and cons, and it all comes down to preference and the type of event you are hosting. In our experience, food stations are a big hit at every event, and a traditional seated meal is always a classy and popular option. 

Tray passed appetizers are something we highly encourage at the start of any event, as many guests arrive hungry and would appreciate a snack before the main meal is served. Appetizers are the best way to play around with flavors and offer a wide range of options for your guests who have different tastes and dietary preferences. Take the time to closely work with your caterer to create a menu that is unique to you as a couple and enjoy a sit-down tasting so you can have the chance to make sure you love all of your menu items before the big event.

Planning the catering for a special event, from weddings to anniversaries to showers, can be both an exciting and overwhelming process.

If you are looking for a caterer for your upcoming event in Southern California, contact us to learn about our services and our variety of menu options to best fit any event style. You can also follow us on Instagram for daily inspiration and a peak at our most recent work! 

We saw some pretty interesting food trends in 2022, and while some trends we absolutely loved, there were others that we’re hoping we’ll never see or hear of again. But, what’s in store for 2023? The upcoming 2023 food trends that we’ve compiled are based on what is being offered in restaurants and grocery stores. So, here’s a first look at what we think you’re going to be enjoying and instagramming this year!

Breakfast Is King

Our first meal of the day is the most important meal of the day. Whether you choose to consume breakfast on-the-go as a smoothie, breakfast sandwich or a delicious protein bar, or if you prefer a full meal at home before you hit the road, you’ll notice that food companies are offering more healthy breakfast options to really make your first meal of the day count. Look for delicious and filling options like paleo pancake mix, natural oats, cereal with added probiotics and more. 

Coastal Flavors

Think about how adventurous your palate is when you are on vacation. Tropical destinations and coastal flavors are inspiring 2023 food trends and we’re sure to see more creative seafood options and more vibrant tropical fruits making their way into our diets. Smoothie bowls are already extremely popular but think about the variety you can enjoy with tropical fruits like guava, dragon fruit and passion fruit. 

Probiotics

With the rise of kombucha, kimchi and pickled snacks, we’re sure to see an even bigger push on probiotics this year. Apart from yogurt, it’s going to get easier to find your probiotics with pantry staples like nut butters, granola, cereal and nutritional bars. While it’s not something you can consume, we’ve also seen some brands including probiotics in all-natural cleaning supplies and even beauty necessities like sunscreen. 

High Protein, Low Carb

Health crazes like the keto diet have encouraged many people to focus on consuming plenty of lean proteins and less carbs. Due to this trend certain fats are making a comeback into our diets, and when consumed in moderation, they are actually very good for you. This includes healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, nuts and certain nutrition bars. 

Vegan Revolution

Being vegan is no longer considered to be a joke, and it’s not difficult to sustain either. A few years ago, if you were trying to eat vegan your options would be extremely limited. But in 2023, as people are increasingly more educated and health conscious, you will be able to easily locate tasty and animal-friendly food options. In fact, you will also see numerous new all-vegan restaurants and popping up and vegan food options will be more easily accessible. 

Spice Up Your Life

A good blend of spices can turn any boring dish into an exciting experience for your taste buds. Traditional Italian seasoning like basil and oregano are a staple for sauces and pizzas, while turmeric and ginger add zest and a healthy dose of antioxidants to smoothies, teas, chicken dishes and more. Za’atar, a popular spice mix from the middle east is also popping up more in restaurants across the country. The blend features salt, ground sesame seeds, thyme, oregano and sumac – you can put it on baked chicken, a piece of buttered toast or on top of grain bowls.

Sea Snacks

You have surely snacked on dried seaweed at some point – it’s a very healthy and popular salty snack that is both satisfying and addicting. There are more marine inspired snacks popping up like salmon skins, kelp jerky and kelp noodles. Healthy sea snacks are packed with omega 3s and additional superfood properties that will eliminate the guilt that is usually associated with the munchies. 

Stay Fresh
Fruits and veggies are no stranger to our daily eating habits, but more than ever we will look for fresh, organic options. The reality is that people are also more accepting of produce that may be visually imperfect but is just as delicious and nutritious as fruits and vegetables that are perfect in shape, color and size. Additionally, vegetables are no longer going to be considered as side dishes, there are some incredibly creative and satisfying recipes that are veggie-centric. 

We’re all about experimenting with spices and fresh flavors, so we can’t wait to incorporate these unique 2023 food trends in our recipes and catering menus. With every passing year we see food enthusiasts becoming more health-conscious, adventurous and open to trying new things. We offer full catering services, as well as our Lunch Box program that provides chef inspired lunches for corporate events. Contact us to inquire about our schedule or learn more about our culinary creations. 

While we can’t all be Julia Child, we should all know how to make basic recipes for when we are tired of constantly ordering food and ready to throw our aprons on and get cooking. You don’t have to be a master chef in order to make great dishes. Here is a list of 10 basic essential techniques we think you should know. 

Grilled Cheese

Grilled Cheese is one of the easiest and tastiest things to make. Just butter the outsides of each piece of bread and place whatever cheese you’d like in between the two buttered slices and sear it on a pan over the stove! After one or two flips with your spatula, you have a tasty and quick meal that will pair well with tomato soup.

Roasted Chicken

Roasted chicken is truly a staple meal, and everyone should know how to make it. You only need a few simple ingredients – chicken, granulated garlic powder, kosher salt, freshly ground pepper, and olive oil.
Let your chicken warm to room temperature, add your seasonings, toss it with olive oil, and then sear the chicken in a pan. After it’s a golden-brown color, finish cooking the chicken in the oven until the internal temp is 165 degrees Fahrenheit, then it’s ready to take out and enjoy!

Roasted Veggies

Toss your chopped vegetables in kosher salt, freshly ground pepper, and olive oil, and place on a pan with plenty of space between the pieces; you don’t want to overcrowd the vegetables, or you’ll end up steaming them. Roast on a high heat in a convection oven, starting at 425 or 450 degrees Fahrenheit and roasting until they’re golden brown & fork tender. The only tricky part is knowing which veggies will take longer to roast. Harder veggies typically take more time, so cut those into smaller pieces. 

Seared Steak

They say steak tastes better when you make it yourself, and we have to agree. All you have to do to make the perfect seared steak is pat it dry, season it with salt, pepper and steak seasoning, cook it over very high heat after lining the pan with butter, and then letting it rest after it has been seared to your liking. To make sure it is done, use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the steak.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chips Cookies is an essential recipe to know. All you need for this recipe is flour, baking soda, unsalted butter, packed light brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and semisweet chocolate chunks instead of chips. You can find the full recipe at Food Network.

Simple Scrambled Eggs

There is no such thing as a hearty breakfast without eggs. All you need to do is crack however many eggs you want into a bowl, add milk, and whisk them together before mixing in your seasonings. Pour the mix into a pan that is lined with melted butter on low heat and use your spatula to move the mixture back and forth until it is solid and scrambled. The trick to eggs is not to look away; continue to mix and then they’ll be fluffy. If you let them sit, it turns into a frittata. Wait to add your favorite cheese until in the pan or on the plate.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are easy and are one of the easiest things to make. Start by washing and peeling potatoes, cutting them into large chunks and placing them into a large pot with water and salt. Once the water has boiled, reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes can be pierced easily with a knife, usually around 20 minutes. Let the potatoes rest in the sink after you have drained the water. Combine butter and cream in a pot, cook over low heat and stir until the butter melts and the cream is hot. Turn off the heat, add in the potatoes and use a potato masher to mix everything together until it is fluffy. Season with salt and pepper. See the full recipe here.

Chicken Noodle Soup

 Knowing how to make Chicken Noodle Soup on days when you are sick is a true blessing. The soup can be ready in 30 minutes and has all of the comforting qualities you want in classic chicken noodle soup. To save some time, use leftover chicken or ready-made rotisserie chicken from the store. 

Ingredients include:

• Olive oil
• Carrots
• Celery
• Yellow onion
• Minced garlic cloves
• Low-sodium chicken broth
• Bay leaves
• Fresh thyme
• Dried oregano
• Pepper
• Egg noodles
• Shredded cooked chicken
• Flat-leaf parsley leaves
• Lemon juice
• Salt

See the full recipe here. 

These are just a few of the basic recipes we think you should know to get a kick start on becoming an excellent cook. Still not confident on your baking skills? Contact Made by Meg to help with your next event.

A staple of any great party is a stunning menu that looks and tastes amazing. One of the easiest ways to bring life to your outdoor event or party is to present colorful crudités for guests to snack on. This is an easy and fun way to offer a healthy food option that will brighten up the party and keep your guests satisfied. Let’s take a look at a few ideas for colorful crudités for your next outdoor party all off the Meg Hall catering menu.

‘Tis the Season for Outdoor Parties

Spring and Summer are the perfect seasons to host spectacular outdoor parties and Meg Hall Catering is here to help you craft the perfect menu for all of your party guests to indulge in and enjoy. Crudités are full of nutrients to provide energy and added health benefits and add a splash of color to your table. Here are just a few crudités you could serve your guests to add a little colorful fun.

Grilled Veggies

Meg Hall offers a great and tasteful assortment of grilled vegetables including:

• Grilled Asparagus with First Press Olive Oil & Lemon
• Grilled Seasonal Vegetable Salad with Burrata Cheese & Fresh Basil
• Grilled Broccolini with Shaved Shallots & Manchego Cheese
• Grilled Eggplant with Garlic Cumin Vinaigrette, Feta & Herbs
• Cold Grilled Corn, Crispy Bacon, Haas Avocado & Shaved Red Onion with Light Ranch Vinaigrette

Kebab Options

Vegetables don’t have to show up to the party alone – pair your crudités with meat and you’ve got a scrumptious kebab to serve! Meg Hall offers various kebab options including any vegetable you’d like and meats such as lamp, pork, chicken and beef.

Roasted Vegetable Choices

Fire up the ovens and let’s get to roasting with these exceptional roasted vegetable options:

• Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Crispy Bacon & Garlic Lemon Butter
• Roasted Wild Mushrooms Tossed with Garlic & Fresh Herb Butter
• Roasted Acorn Squash with Parmesan & Candied Pumpkin Seeds
• Fire Roasted Curry Cauliflower

Crudités Stations

Make your outdoor party a true event by offering stations full of healthy goodies. For vegetables specifically, Meg Hall Catering offers these station options:

• Quinoa Bar
  • Quinoa with a mix of hand selected farmers’ market ingredients.
    Includes 6 Mix-ins: Roasted Curry Cauliflower, Grilled Corn, Steamed Broccoli, Roasted Wild Mushrooms, Haas Avocado, Scallions, Fresh Garlic, Fresh Mozzarella, Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes

• “Rabbit” Buffet
  • Colorful heirloom vegetables in crunchy snacking size with 3 seasonal assorted dips & flat break crackers

• Gourmet Risotto Bar
  • Fresh traditional Risotto with gourmet toppings for guests to mix in.
    Toppings (includes 3): Sautéed Wild Mushrooms, Shaved Asparagus, Caramelized Onions, Grilled Bell Peppers, Roasted Broccoli, Goat Cheese, Green Peas, Roquefort Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Sun Dried Tomatoes

Veggies and Dips Platter

You could also take a more traditional route and offer guests a veggie platter with an assortment of dips. Cucumbers, carrots, snow peas, celery, bell peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower are great options to include in your veggie platter. Add dips such as hummus, honey mustard and ranch for even greater flavor.

Other Vegetables Offered

Meg Hall’s catering menu is full of tasteful vegetable options to serve at your outdoor event to keep guests refreshed and full on healthy options. Here a few of the other vegetable options we serve:

• Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Boccacini, Fresh Basil with Tangy Garlic Vinaigrette
• Spaghetti Squash with Garlic Herb Olive Oil
• Sauteed Haricot Verts with Crispy Shallots

Let’s Party

We know you will be satisfied with both the food and the service our staff provides, particularly with the fresh vegetable options we offer to keep your guests full and satisfied. We are always ready to help you in any way we to make sure that your next outdoor event is absolutely perfect and a great time for you and all of your guests, with an exceptional menu and plenty of tasty crudités to keep the party bright and colorful.

Feel free to contact us to set up a catering consultation to discuss your menu items. As your premier Los Angeles caterer, we are the experts in planning gatherings for both small and large parties! Be sure to check our press and media page for photos of events we have catered. We look forward to making your next exciting get together a huge hit with your friends, family and loved ones!