Choosing what kind of food to serve at your special event and how to serve it is a big decision – the food is often what many people look forward to and the thing they remember most about an event. Here’s a comparison of stations versus plated dinner catering and how to choose which type of serving style best fits your needs.
What is Food Station:
A food station is like a miniature buffet – a counter, a way to keep food warm, and a serving attendant will all be present at a food station. Typically, a single station will be dedicated to one type of food. For example, you could have several stations categorized by type of dish, like meat, sides, and desserts. Or, you could have your stations each feature a different type of ethnic cuisine.
What is Plated Dinner?
During a plated dinner, wedding guests are seated at assigned tables (or often seats) and served individually by our service staff. Usually, courses are served from a pre-set menu, and will typically include appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts. Oftentimes guests will have pre-selected their choice of entree, but otherwise each meal will be the same from person to person.
How to Choose:
Choosing Food Stations – When & Why: A food station set up might be a great choice for a trendy wedding or a corporate holiday party. Food stations allow people to visit different stations and creates a less congested environment that promotes socialization. Also, food stations allow for a higher degree of creativity when it comes to serving dishes.
Choosing Plated Dinner – When & Why: If you’re a foodie and want a more leisurely multicourse dinner, a plated dinner service might be a better fit for your reception. It allows your guests to select a specific entrée in advance, so they know what to expect. A plated entrée typically takes a little longer to serve and enjoy, often consisting of an appetizer or salad followed by an entrée and dessert
Cost may play a role in what you choose, as well as what type of food you plan to have available. Also, how you serve the food at your event may be dictated by the event’s theme or even the décor. Ultimately, deciding whether to choose station or palted dinner catering is all about the impression you want to leave on your guests.
Whether you’re planning a wedding, hosting a corporate party, or are having a casual birthday catered, Supper Club YVR can help. We can help you design a menu that perfectly fits your event and have experience in both food station and plated dining serving. Contact us today to start planning your next catered event!
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