A whimsical unicorn-themed birthday party table with pastel-colored cakes, cupcakes, lollipops, and flower arrangements, set against a backdrop of balloon arches and fairy lights.

Birthday parties are joyous occasions meant for celebration, but planning them can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to the food. From selecting a theme to hiring a caterer, there are numerous factors to consider. Here are comprehensive tips to ensure your catered birthday party in Perth is a memorable hit.

Choose a Theme for Your Menu

Selecting a theme for your menu narrows down your options and ensures a cohesive dining experience. Here are some popular choices.

Service Styles

Opt for finger food platters, grazing tables, BBQs, or buffet-style help-yourself hot dishes.

Cuisine Choices

Choose foods from the same cuisine, such as Australian, Mexican, Korean, Japanese, etc.

Celebrant’s Favourite Occasion

If the celebrant loves Australia Day, include barbies, sausage rolls, and meat pies on the menu.

Fusion Foods

Blend Eastern and Western cuisines. Try a Thai satay pie or a curry-filled pastry for something unique and memorable.

Focus on Plating and Presentation

An attractive presentation can make your food even more enticing. Here’s how you can make an impact.

Use Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration on colours and decor. Have a central theme for your presentation, whether it’s colour-coordinated plates or garnished platters. Additionally, consider hiring creative caterers who can turn your menu into an appealing visual feast.

Consider Dietary Needs

Think about the diet preferences and restrictions of your guests.

Kids and Teens

Opt for finger foods and easy-to-eat snacks.

Adults

Offer a variety of options, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes.

Special Diets

Make sure to include dairy-free and nut-free options for those with allergies.

Hire a Reputable Caterer

Hiring a caterer can alleviate much of the stress that comes with planning a party. Research by using keywords like ‘birthday party catering Perth’ to find top-rated caterers in your area. Also, get recommendations from friends and family for caterer suggestions. You should look for caterers with positive reviews and varied experience. Be sure to discuss your theme, budget, and dietary needs with potential caterers.

Popular Catering Options in Perth

Perth has a rich catering scene with myriad options to suit any party theme or size.

Italian Catering

Think pasta dishes, lasagna, antipasti, and Italian desserts like tiramisu.

Finger Food Frenzy

Skewers, mini quiches, sausage rolls, and a variety of dips.

Grazing Platters

Cheese, meats, seafood, and vegetarian options for a relaxed yet elegant setup.

Global Flavours

Thai, Spanish tapas, Japanese sushi, and Mexican fiestas.

Dessert Stations

DIY sundae bars, doughnuts, and crepe stations for the sweet tooth.

Mind the Details

The little details can make a big difference. Use coordinated colours and themes for plates, glasses, and napkins for your table settings. If you’re going for bar-style service, set up seafood, salad, or snack bars for easy guest interaction. Ensure you have all the necessary equipment for serving and maintaining food safety, such as chaffing dishes for hot items and ice buckets for beverages.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How far in advance should I book my party catering?

Ideally, you should book your party catering at least two weeks in advance, but the sooner, the better, especially for popular dates.

2. What information do I need to provide when booking my party catering?

You’ll need to provide the date, time, location of your party, the estimated number of guests, and any dietary requirements.

3. Can I customise my party catering menu?

Absolutely! Most caterers offer a variety of menu options and are happy to work with you to create a menu that suits your needs.

4. Do you offer delivery for party catering?

Yes, many caterers offer delivery services. Be sure to check if there are any additional fees based on your location.

5. Do you provide wait staff for Perth party catering?

Many caterers can provide wait staff. Just specify your requirements when placing your order.

6. What are your payment terms for party catering?

Payment terms vary but are typically due two weeks before the event. Most caterers accept major credit cards.

Planning a birthday party doesn’t have to be a stressful endeavour. By choosing the right caterer and paying attention to details, you can host a memorable event that leaves a lasting impression on your guests. Whether you’re in the mood for a gourmet Italian feast or a casual finger food spread, Impressions Catering has something for everyone. Contact us to enjoy your party and let the professionals handle the rest!

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equipment needed for catering

Cocktail parties are a popular way to celebrate an event with wine, beer, and concoctions. A cocktail party is usually a small gathering which doesn’t go on for long hours. The typical nature of this party is a celebration with drinks.

The secret to hosting a perfect cocktail party is proactive planning. The pre-planning is initiated by sending out invitations to deciding the catering menu. To host a fun night start the planning well in time. Here are some tips which are sure to help you host a flawless cocktail party

 Invitations

You can opt for e-vites, but it is usually preferred for a more formal and corporate gathering. To impart a sense of curiosity you can invite your friends via calls, texts or printed invitations. Your invitation must have these following essentials: 

  • Dress code (if any)
  • Venue location details
  • Time of the party
  • Parking, transportation, and other details

 Decorations

After the venue is decided it is important to get done with the decoration task. Usually, cocktail parties don’t accommodate grandeur decors. In case it is a themed cocktail party that you are planning to throw, make sure you have the right décor to match your theme.

 Cocktails 

After the invitations are sent and the word is spread it is important to now get to the real business, the cocktails. You don’t have to necessarily stock up the full bar. You can opt for basics and get some concoctions prepared using the primary drinks.

 If you wish to take your Cocktail party to a notch up, you can keep printed drinks and cocktail menu for your guests. This will ease the task of staff as well as help the guests understand their drink without having to ask the serving staff.

 

Here are some of the common favorite cocktails:

  • Cosmopolitan – The cosmopolitan is a popular drink made of vodka, cranberry juice, and some freshly squeezed or sweetened lime juice. There are variations available to this mixture.
  • Dirty Martini – The concoction which comes with a dash of olive dipped in the mixture and the rim loaded with salt.
  • Chocolate Martini – The modern variation to the traditional dirty martini, that is sweet as compared to the dirty martini. 

Cocktail Party Planning Tips

Here are some of the tips which will help make your cocktail party a sure success:

  • Ice is essential for any and every cocktail party. You will require a stock of ice since the drinks are best-served chill. If you don’t know how much of ice you should keep, use the one pound of ice per guest thumb rule.
  • Every drink is best served in their specific glass type. Wine glasses for wines, water, and juice, straight-side highballs for tall drinks, champagne flute for champagne, tumbler for spirits and soda. Make sure you have an assortment of glasses ready for use.
  • Make sure you don’t go short on alcohol. The golden rule to avoid such havoc would be to count wine and champagne as one bottle for every two guests. Stock up on primary drinks like vodka, gin, tequila, rum, and brandy.
  • Don’t forget to keep the mixers in plenty as well. Tomato juice, cranberry juice, orange juice, soda tonic, etc. must be in plenty.
  • You would be a great host if you accommodate the essentials people might need after a loaded drinking session, like coffee or assistance with going back home after the party.


You should also check out some awesome home catering tips for parties. This will definitely be a worthwhile read.

Cocktail Party Catering

In events where alcohol is being served, it is important to serve light food as well. Some nibbles, cheese, nuts, olives, to begin with. Guests can slowly savor the taste of gourmet finger food. Make sure you choose the food items wisely. 

If you have more meat lovers, you can lay down a selection of seafood, meat, veggies, cheese, and sweets. You may have diet conscious and vegans, for them, you can keep veggies, gluten-free and dairy-free options. Some of the popular food options are:

  • Caprese bites
  • Scallops
  • Crabs
  • Tempura vegetables
  • Chicken and veg skewers 

Host a memorable cocktail party 

There is a lot that goes into planning that perfect event. In this fast-paced life, it is practically impossible to get everything done personally. This is where Cocktail party catering services come to the rescue.

If you are planning to host an event and looking for a trusted catering service in Perth? Then, Impressions Catering is the right pick for you. Impressions Catering understands the nature of the event and plans the décor, food, drinks, and all other related essentials accordingly. Impressions Catering hosts social, corporate, weddings and other events with adept efficiency. Have some queries? Contact us to know more about our services.

alcohol catering guide

How to Plan a Cocktail Party?

Planning a cocktail party is not tremendously difficult; however, if done correctly, it can turn into something of an art form. Pre-planning is the secret to hosting a remarkable cocktail party. If entertaining is your thing, a cocktail party provides the perfect opportunity for your guests to enjoy good conversation, good food and of course, good drinks.

If hosting cocktail soirées is new to you, you can consider using the tips below on how to plan a cocktail party:

List of Decisions

• Business or pleasure
• Number of guests
• Outdoor or indoor (If outdoor, what is the backup location in case of bad weather)
• Formal or casual
• Will food be included? If yes, what is the menu
• Limited cocktail menu or full bar
• If there is a food what is the menu
• Will you be using a theme?
• The budget limit for beverages and food

Timing

The ideal time to start a cocktail party is a bit past dinner time, which is round about 7 p.m. The duration of this type of party should be between 2 and 3 hours. Having the party on a Friday or Saturday would be the best option since the majority of individuals do not have to be at work the following day.

However, it is essential to consider your guest list when you are figuring out timing. For instance, if retirees make up your guest list, there will be more flexibility where days are concerned and you could potentially have it in the late afternoon or start at 6 pm.

platters

Cocktail Party food

How would you know what amount of food you need to prepare for your cocktail party? A key inquiry that should be addressed is:

“To what extent is the duration of your event for the cocktail party?”

If you are having a cocktail party at supper time, you ought to generously consider your catering order. A pleasant additional touch to consider is to incorporate some food stations for your visitors to graze on all through your occasion. If you need help with arranging and providing food for your next cocktail party, contact Impressions Catering.

Grazing tables or Grazing platters

Grazing tables or grazing platters are a common option for an evening Cocktail party. It is a set-up intended to urge visitors to stroll by, grab their aperitif of choice, feel great, and blend. Regardless of whether you’re facilitating a huge gathering or a cozy social gathering, it’s constantly worth the exertion it takes to put a grazing table together.

Cocktail Menu

Choose delicious cocktails that are in keeping with the party theme or the vibe of the party. Appropriate and unique garnishes can give a basic cocktail a whole new twist. If you are not providing a full bar, you should consider offering a few selections in alcohols and mixers. Make sure that you think about offering a few “mocktails” and other non-alcoholic options for designated drivers, non-alcohol drinkers or for guests who have had enough.

Request Assistance

This is among the most vital cocktail party catering tips as you could become quite overwhelmed if you opt to plan it alone. The whole idea is for everyone involved to have fun. Request help from your friends to prep food and/or make drinks. This interactive component adds another distinctive quality that individuals will enjoy.

If an event caterer is in your budget, choose one who is experienced and reputable. For your upcoming cocktail party, let us make an impression on you!

equipment needed for catering

The key to holding a successful party is advance planning and a proper equipment checklist. This helps you to tick all the boxes of the requirements needed for a great outdoor party catering.

The equipment needed for catering varies depending on your event particularly. That’s why it is very crucial for you to break down your list into several major sections. This helps you to be more efficient and stay organised.

Here is a checklist of equipment needed for catering:

1.The Setting of Your Table

For everything to go smoothly during the outdoor party, you need to have all the required table settings. Your checklist should consider both functional and decorative elements. This will help your party to be one of a kind and your guests will not lack anything they need.

Here are the most crucial items you should include in your checklist:

  • Wine glasses
  • Water glasses
  • Water carafes/jugs
  • Bread plates
  • Cutlery if you want it set
  • Paper or fabric napkins
  • Salt and pepper shakers
  • Table Cloths

equipment needed for catering

2. Serving Equipment

It is one of the very essential equipment needed for catering. It makes it easy for you to distribute drinks and food to your guests. When it comes to the serving equipment needed, ensure you have enough serving trays, bus bins, and water pitchers. This will help you to quickly serve people with food and drinks as you keep the dirty dishes in one place.

If you need a helping hand for your next party in Perth, contact Impressions Catering. They cater to hundreds of events each year and understand your equipment hire needs. They can also arrange the tables, decorate the chairs, lay-up your tables with everything you need to ensure your event is perfect.

3.Buffet Equipment

In case you are holding your event in a buffet style, you will have to consider a different checklist. Your list needs to include all items needed to set everything up and operate. You should also remember to include the equipment required to remove the buffet quickly too.

Here is a checklist to use for your buffet:

  • Tables cloths
  • Cutting knives and cutting boards
  • Chaffing dishes and fuel
  • A lighter or matches
  • Serving baskets
  • Rolled Silverware and Dinner plates
  • Serving utensils and dishcloths.

equipment needed for catering

Beverage Bar Equipment

You need a beverage station in your outdoor party to ensure efficient handling of drinks.

Let us look at the equipment needed:

  • Jugs and straws
  • Ice buckets
  • Glasses
  • Napkins and baskets
  • Coffee cups, spoons, urn

Including all this in your checklist, will ensure your guests stay happy and don’t get thirsty.

When holding an outdoor catering party, it is crucial to have all the equipment needed for catering. This makes planning easier and the party a huge success.

cocktail party catering

Cocktail Party Catering Tips

Cocktail party catering is not extremely difficult, but if done right it is a bit of an art. Perhaps you have chosen to host a cocktail party because your bored with your dinner parties. No matter the reason, it is a great idea.

If you love to entertain it is the perfect way for your guests to enjoy good food, good conversation, and most of all, good drinks. If you are new to hosting cocktail soirées this is a great overview of how to plan a nice little get together.

 

cocktail party catering
When you're hosting a cocktail party, make sure your guests enjoy good food, good conversation, and most of all, good drinks.

List of Decisions

As stated before, hosting a cocktail party is not exactly difficult, but there a few detail that are best to decide on from the start.

Number of guests
Business or pleasure
Formal or casual
Full bar or limited cocktail menu
Indoor or outdoor
If outdoor is there a contingency location for in-climate weather
Will there be food
If there is food what is the menu
Theme if any at all
Budget limit for food and beverage
Themes

You do not have to have a theme for a good cocktail party, but it can help add an element of fun. When you use a theme it is easier to plan both the food and drink menu. Use menu items that will support the theme that you choose. Decorations are another fun item to use if you have a theme.

Themes can be based on destinations, time periods, or even just a color. Color theme cocktail parties are easily enforced by a mandatory color dress code for your guests. White parties are quite popular. A theme based invitation is an extra little fun touch to consider when planning your party.

Food Menu Planning

As stated earlier, planning a party around a theme is a great help when creating menus. Do not forget, the host is there to host the party not cook for the party. When you plan your food menu consider heavy hours d'oeuvres. Choose something that can be prepared ahead of time and heated right before service.

Also select items that do not need cooking. Bite size items will keep everyone free to mingle. There will be enough food to balance out the drinks without having a big sit down affair. Guests can serve themselves from a platter or you can politely pass a tray of treats around.

cocktail party catering
If you need assistance on your upcoming cocktail party, contact Impressions Catering. They provide catering services to Perth, Rockingham and Mandurah.

Cocktail Menu

Select a delicious cocktail or two or three that follows the theme of your party. Unique and appropriate garnishes can put a new twist on a basic cocktail. Offer a few options in mixers and alcohols if you are not offering a full bar. Be sure to consider a few non-alcoholic options for drivers or for those who have had enough.

Ask For Help

This is the most important tip. Do not get overwhelmed with your party. The idea is for everyone to have fun. Ask your friends to help out with food prep or making drinks. The interactive element adds another unique quality people will enjoy.

If you need an event caterer who can help you plan, hire staff and equipment whilst serving mouth watering food then Impressions Catering is your first choice!

Self Service Catering

Backyard parties and other functions such as a small wedding reception, are fun and exciting ways to get together with relatives, friends and other significant people in your life. It's always such a pleasure to see an ordinary, unassuming backyard space becomes party central, with everyone enjoying each other’s company and eating great food.

The food at a backyard party is perhaps the most important aspect of the merriment. In fact, if the food at such parties is no good, the energy of the event is somewhat bland, as food for such events is expected to add a certain liveliness to things, and most times becomes a conversation starter for many guests.

Whatever the size of these parties, it's important to get the food right, and so many people invest in Backyard Function Catering to make sure that they please their guest’s palates, which helps make the party a resounding success.

Backyard function catering is a savior of a service for those who are planning a backyard party and want to have someone else take on the hassle of catering the food. In that way, the party planner can attend to the other aspects of pulling the function together while ensuring the food will be another element of quality along with all else that is being planned.

Hiring the right backyard function catering service is essential to meeting the quality level expected.

There are certain things to be considered to ensure that the backyard function caterer hired is the one best suited for the particular function.

Where are they located?

You'd want to ensure that the caterer you choose is relatively near to the party venue. This is important for two main reasons. The first reason is the convenience and ease of you visiting their premises to make prior arrangements for the party.

The second reason is helping ensure that they arrive at the party at a reasonable time on the day of the event -- this is even more important if there is usually a build-up of traffic in your area. People at events hate to wait on the food, and so distance is a critical factor to consider when hiring a caterer.

What are their qualifications and track record of service?

  • Are the caterers you're considering have updated certification in the preparation of food for the public?
  • Do the staff members all have their relevant health clearance to prepare food?
  • Is the kitchen and other areas of their premises clean and tidy?
  • How many parties have they served in the recent past?
  • Are you receiving polite service and are they patient with your questions?
  • All these are some of the many questions you should keep in mind when you're hiring a caterer because you want to ensure that guests are not harmed by food you have offered them.

You can also take the time to search for reviews online about their level of service, and ask around in your circles for information from anyone else who has used them.

Do they have menu suggestions or can work with your needs?

Deciding on the menu is a key aspect of the food being a hit at the function. You'd want your prospective caterers to be able to give some suggestions in response to what you have explained about the event itself and the types of guests you'll be hosting.

If you have your own menu in mind, you can still ask for their suggestions about its suitability for such an event. You should also ensure that they can meet any special diet preferences or restrictions that you have, for example, vegetarian, vegan, kosher or halal.

morning tea

 

Do they have the necessary staff for your size of your guest list?

A backyard party will most likely have the food served Buffet style. A rule of thumb in terms of staff for buffet-service parties is to have one server for every 20-30 guests. Be sure to ask the catering service about the availability of the number of servers that will be required to meet this arrangement, so that all your guests feel satisfied that their needs are being met.

You can also inquire if you would need to have an extra server or two to serve guests who are not able to make it to the buffet table, and the extra costs that this would entail.

Do they have the necessary equipment to keep food safe?

In addition to preparing a tempting menu, and cooking the food with the best ingredients and to industry standard, it's also important to keep the food safe for consumption while at the backyard party.

Make sure the backyard function caterers have the necessary to keep cold foods cold and hot food, hot. They should also be using the appropriate methods to cover the food from possible flies and other insects. Caterer staff wearing head nets, aprons and non-latex gloves can also help keep guests safe.
If you are backyard party person, you should definitely check out some awesome home party catering tips and it's advantages.