
Catering in your own home can be stressful. Whether you are hosting a dinner party or laying on a feast for a birthday celebration – we want to help you understand how to keep it simple whilst ensuring you get the wow factor you are looking for.
At the end of the day, guests have come to see you and spend time with everyone there. While the food may be an added bonus, it is important you still get to enjoy the event without feeling overwhelmed by hosting duties.
Whether you are a whiz in the kitchen or a complete make it up as you go along-er, food can be the centrepiece of your night if you want it to be. We are famous for our wild and wacky dishes but most of all people love looking at their food. As strange as it sounds – do something a bit creative with the presentation and you’ll have them hooked!
This is just one tip that can help transform seemingly simple catering in your own home into a first-class spread. But don’t forget, you can always get in contact with us and let the professionals whip you up some delicious and tailored menu options.
Be realistic
Think about why you have decided to host this event or get together. If the point of it is to show off your culinary expertise, then you might want to spend a little more time and effort on that side of things. However, there is usually an ulterior motive such as celebrating a birthday or congratulating a new driver in the family. With this in mind, it’s important to remember that people haven’t necessarily come for the food.
So if you are not the most confident person in the kitchen, there is no need to worry. There is also no need to splash out on platters from the upmarket shops because you can do it yourself.
Making an impact with food doesn’t have to be hard work. Pre-planning is the best way to ensure everything goes smoothly on the day. Similarly, it will let you consider your skills in the kitchen and what you realistically want to be making on the day. Don’t forget to allow time to enjoy yourself and step away from the kitchen.
Don’t Leave It To Chance
If you’re looking for something effective, now is not the time to try something new. Signature dishes and small recipes you are confident with will allow you to get a bit more creative while being happy it is going to plan.
Being brave and giving something outlandish a go might pay off – but to keep it simple and stress-free, it’s best if you stick to what you know. Although, give yourself enough time to test a meal before the event and you could be well on your way to a new family favourite!
Similarly, something you have cooked before will be much easier to whip up quickly before guests arrive and you’ll be able to do it with your eyes closed. This gives you plenty more time to get amongst the action and enjoy everyone’s company. With this in mind, think about using a slow cooker or choosing something that can be prepared a little while before the start.
Think About Light Bites
Unless you have specifically promised an evening meal or a hearty lunch, why not choose some more tapas-style snacks that people can graze on throughout the day? Hardly any of it will need much cooking or preparation time (if any at all) which makes your life far easier.
As well as this, you can offer a wider selection of foods that will cater to more dietary needs. This includes exclusively vegetarian or vegan options and foods for picky eaters! Turning to picnic or tapas-style catering in your own home opens the doors for fun cocktails or unique plating that will create the wow factor you are after.
If you want to pair these with something a bit more substantial, you can also think about throwing together a quick salad. Add pasta or potatoes for a bit of substance and don’t forget to utilise the gorgeous seasonal fruits and vegetables to take it up a notch.
Get Guests Involved
We know this can be a bit controversial and not everyone will want to take part. However, if you are inviting quite a few guests, you could ask people to contribute their own signature dishes if they are willing. The chances are you’ll get the majority of people on board – leaving little else for you to prepare in the kitchen!
Alternatives are asking them to contribute their favourite drinks recipes or simply bringing some side dishes to snack on throughout the day. You’ll be surprised as to how many people would love to help with food preparation and although it might be a strange mix of food – it will just add to the experience!
In order to avoid repeats, you could specify sweet or savoury to different guests and even tell them whether you are looking for snack foods, main meals or desserts. This way, you’ll be sure to have every base covered and you can top up the menu with whatever you enjoy creating.
Bring On The Booze
It goes without saying that alcohol of some kind will usually be expected at parties and events. Catering in your own home can be made much easier by making the drinks a focal point of the evening. Cocktails, bubbles and mocktails can be presented in beautiful glasses with different spirits and mixers to create some stand-out additions to the food.
Not only that, but it can be a bit of fun getting guests involved in creating their own concoctions and playing the role of bartender throughout the night. Of course, those who don’t drink will need to be catered for as well so mocktails will give the same impact and allow everyone to get involved.
If you want something outside of the box, get in touch with our team. We can bring bespoke drinks menus to your home and create unique blends tailored to you and your guests. Even those with a picky palate will find something to enjoy. From Earl Grey infused Negroni to a foraged hedgerow berry Mojito – we’ve done it all.
Cherry On Top
We are all hoping for a sunny Spring and bright, warm Easter weekend. So why not plan ahead and organise some homemade cocktails that will be perfect for this time of year. We love a fruity cocktail at Vanilla Bean and have put together some delicious mixes in the past. Don’t forget to make use of the seasonal fruit and herbs for garnishing as well as adding to the drink itself.

As we said at the beginning – presentation can change the game. The Vanilla Bean team have been widely commended for their ability to transform dishes not only with taste and ingredients but by how they look. Our menus page on the website gives you a glimpse into just how bold and colourful we like to make things.
Even when catering in your own home, you can create some masterpieces. Choosing different colours when thinking about a dish and making the most of the range of seasonal produce on offer will get you off to a great start. Bright and bold foods often taste the best – so staying away from the dull bland colours will help you make an impact.
Also, simply by making the right food choices, you make the work easier for yourself. You won’t have to put in as much effort to make it look fantastic if you have already opted for quality foods. Just the finishing touches will go a long way in making the food a centrepiece for your event. Don’t skimp on the garnishes and think about how you can create some unique designs.
Catering In Your Own Home: Ask The Experts
We know you want to impress your guests on the day, but it shouldn’t take hours in the kitchen to do so. Keeping things simple and thinking outside the box a little can create just as much of an impact as going all out.
However, if the thought of hosting is still too much and you’re worried about having time to enjoy the day – it might be time to contact the professionals. We can help provide bespoke catering events, organising as much or as little of the event as you please. We have an extremely flexible events team and take pride in executing our client’s expectations.
Our experienced caterers will help guide you through the process, taking a consultative approach to create a stress-free and stunning event tailored to your organisation.
Whether it be canapes and cocktails to three-course meals or buffets, our complete catering services always impress.
We have many years of experience in running prestigious events for companies of all sizes including leading fashion houses, international property agents and global bank groups.
Want to know more about how we can be of service for your company event? Get in touch with us today! You can contact us via email at london@vanilla-bean.co.uk or alternatively, you can call us at 020 8432 2252.
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