Even though summer is winding down, South Florida is a place where summer seems to keep on riding. September can still be a great time for a BBQ get-together or party in Florida and Catering CC is here to help make it happen. An amazing meal can help supplement those summer moments with family and friends and can really make the difference. We’ll take you through a step-by-step guide to help make your summer party the best one yet.

Step One: The Theme

It’s sunny South Florida and getting closer and closer to the holidays, so feel free to experiment and throw a little caution to the wind. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner, so try and think of food that you wouldn’t be serving then! The theme can include music, décor, food and ambiance. Consider your budget and your guests, and then get to brainstorming. A few themes for inspiration:

• Caribbean (Chef Winston’s favorite!)
• Tropical/Hawaiian Luau
• An All-American cookout
• Beach day
• Fair food
• Breakfast for dinner
• Finger foods
• Gourmet pizza party

Step Two: Who’s Coming?

Menu planning and party preparation rely heavily on one thing: how many people are attending the event? There is a huge difference when it comes to five people versus twenty-five. Knowing how many people are attending, their individual dietary restrictions and so on can make or break the big event. If someone has a food allergy, be accommodating! Gluten and dairy free options are mainstream now.

Step Three: To Cater or not to Cater?

If it’s not a potluck, where everyone is bringing an individual dish, it’s a good idea to call a professional caterer such as Catering CC to help out with your big party. We have a vast menu potential and can help you with ideas that can take the pressure off you or your company. You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen and the supermarket. You should be spending time on socializing and making sure everything is running smoothly with the party! We’ll make sure to turn heads with our professional full-service catering and gourmet food choices. Fresh fruit platters, roasted shrimp cocktails and grilled vegetable platters are just a few of the options to choose from when planning your Hors d’oeuvres. If you’re attending a potluck yourself, be the guest with the best (platter, that is) and choose Catering CC.

Step four: Location

It’s South Florida… you know how it is. If it’s an outside location, be sure to be prepared with cold foods (on ice), fans, and lots of hydration. Summer is the hottest time of year, and South Florida is no exception. Keep yourself and your guests hydrated. Make sure to have food covers and plastic or glass lids to keep the Florida bugs out of your food! We can provide all the necessary containers to keep your food fresh for the whole party.

Step five: Clean up

No one likes cleaning up, which is why we provide full-service Catering. From delivery, to service, to clean-up, we can do 100% of the work and take 100% of the stress off of your shoulders. If you choose to clean up yourself, there are a few tips we would like to share with you.

• Disposable plates and silverware provide an easy out of washing the dishes. If you are not looking to risk your plate-ware, plastic plates are a great alternative, especially at an outside location with children involved.
• Big, barrel-sized trash bins around the party can help tremendously in cleanup. If the big trash cans are in easy to see locations, such as around the food tents and eating areas, it can reduce clean up time and make your life a little easier.
• If you’re using glass/ceramic or non-disposable plates, it is best to designate an area to put these. Printing out a sign can take two minutes on the computer. Clean-up and going on a dish hunt can take a lot longer, especially if you have a big venue or backyard.

The summer is almost over, but there’s still enough time to host a big event before the holidays start! Break out the ice coolers and the beer, because Florida is a great place to have a summer party and to make memories. If you don’t want some of those memories to include grocery shopping and trash clean-up, Catering CC is the perfect solution for your Catering and party needs in South Florida. Make your next party your best one with Catering CC.