You could go traditional with a turkey or ham, but instead of relying on familiarity and nostalgia, you might want to kick your feasting up a notch with the help of an innovative Asheville catering service, some live entertainment, and creative décor that’s sure to wow.  Don’t let your holiday party become a footnote – make it a celebration that will set the benchmark for years to come!  Here’s how to pull off the party of the season.

Start Early

For most people, a holiday schedule quickly fills up with family feasts, work functions, school events, and other festivities, so if you don’t want your dinner party to be a dud, you need to make sure you lock down your date and let your guests know well in advance.  A good rule of thumb is to send out invitations up to six weeks before your party.

This may seem excessive, but considering how hectic the holidays can be, it’s not a bad idea to get your RSVPs in early.  While paper invitations are nice, you might want to save some trees (and some time) by sending out Evites instead.  It’s easier for your guests to respond and for you to track responses and follow up this way.  Planning early will also give you plenty of time to book a venue if your home isn’t big enough to host all your friends.

Nail Down Holiday Dining Innovations

If you’ve spent the last few years frantically cooking, cleaning, and running between the kitchen and the party while all your friends celebrate in your absence, this is the year to leave the hassles behind and hire help.  A corporate and wedding catering service can do all the heavy lifting for you so you can actually enjoy your party, and sample a haute cuisine menu, to boot.

Whether you’re looking for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a full catered dinner, small bite dessert platters, or one or more food stations (taco bar, tapas bar, biscuit bar, Asian wraps, Caribbean delights, and more), your preferred Asheville catering service can deliver, and even provide full service wait staff, if you don’t feel like circulating around your party with a tray.

At any dinner party, the food is the main attraction, so you really need to nail it if you want to impress your guests and throw a memorable soiree.  The right catering service can offer the dining innovation you seek, the help you need to make sure everyone is well-fed, and the peace of mind that your holiday party will go off without a hitch.  People will forgive a lot (dismal weather, dull entertainment, and other snafus) if the food is delectable.

Consider Entertainment Options

The average holiday party at home might consist of simple entertainments like movies, board games, or singing carols.  You might just let people mingle and chat with holiday tunes playing in the background.  If you want to kick it up a notch, however, you could hire some mobile entertainment.  The average home isn’t ideal for a band to play, so if you want to go this route, renting a larger venue is wise.

However, you could also hire a magician or comedian to entertain guests, or book a fun activity like drag queen bingo.  Some people like to hire psychics or hypnotists for adult parties, but there’s no telling how this might go.  If you want to get people drinking and dancing, a DJ might be a better option.

Get Your Décor in Order

Now that you’ve got your local wedding catering service in place and you’ve chosen suitable entertainment, it’s time to get your house or alternate venue prepped for the party.  Décor can be in keeping with the holiday you celebrate, it can represent a variety of holidays for inclusiveness, or you can go with a theme of some sort if you happen to have a relatively non-denominational group of friends (or you simply don’t want to argue over holiday décor).

With enough time and planning, you should be able to create a truly spectacular experience for your guests and give them a holiday memory they’ll never forget.  Contact the professionals at Dining Innovations today at 828-210-2220 for expert advice and assistance in planning a holiday party that will blow your friends away.

The post Plan a Holiday Dinner Party That Will Blow Your Friends Away! appeared first on Dining Innovations | Catering Services for Weddings & Events.

Of course, you may also need to provide food options for guests, from snacks or cocktails to a full, five-course meal.  This means you have to find a suitable caterer for your event.  How can you go about choosing a corporate and wedding catering service that will meet all of your needs?  Here are a few important factors to consider when you start comparison shopping.

An Available Corporate and Wedding Catering Service

It doesn’t matter which caterer you choose if they’re already booked for the dates of your event.  You might have a preferred caterer that you’ve used in the past or a short list of potential candidates in mind, but if your first choice (or your top three) aren’t available, it’s back to the drawing board.  For this reason, you should have a ready list of caterers you’re interested in and the first thing you should ask is if they’re available on your chosen dates.

Impressive Dining Innovations

The main thing your caterer will provide is food, so once you know a vendor is available, you’ll want to look at their menu options.  Part of hosting any event is providing an engaging and satisfying experience to impress guests.  The caterer you choose should offer an exciting menu to surprise and delight your guests.

You may not want to go crazy with the food options, but neither do you necessarily want to play it safe with traditional choices that guests have had a thousand times at other corporate events.  Look for a caterer that offers innovative recipes and a variety of options that allow you to wow your event guests with the food selection.

Flexible Options

Offering flexibility allows some caterers to outshine their competitors, and this could apply to menus, staffing, and extras like needed table service, just for example.  In terms of menus, you’ll want to make sure that a caterer is willing to accommodate dietary restrictions and special diets.  It seems like everyone has some kind of food allergy these days, so you naturally want to make sure accommodations can be made to avoid illness.

Then there are special diets like vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and more that are becoming more and more prevalent.  Having options available for these types of dietary restrictions will definitely impress guests that follow said diets.  However, some caterers aren’t keen to make special orders, and you may have to go out of your way to find the menu options that suit your guest list.

You should also look for a variety of menu types for your particular event.  Are you planning sit-down meal service like a full dinner?  Maybe you want to offer breakfast or lunch options like nosh bars, box lunches, or coffee kiosks.  Perhaps you’re hosting a cocktail hour.  Or you might want to spice things up with a variety of food stations for guests to sample.  The more options available, the greater chance to fill your needs and impress your guests.

Some caterers can offer you additional benefits like service staff for your event, or even extra resources like tables and chairs, table settings, linens, and so on.  If your venue doesn’t provide these options and you’d rather get everything in one place (as opposed to hiring a separate party rentals company to provide furniture and a service staffing agency for servers), simply see if your caterer offers these amenities, or if they at least subcontract to another vendor for such services.

Pricing

This may not be your first priority, but the bottom line is always an important factor when selecting vendors for your corporate events.  Sure, you want high quality dining innovations, but you also need to stick to your approved budget, and this means comparison shopping to find the best goods and services at the best price.

A Reputable Asheville Catering Service

You definitely want a reputable and reliable partner to cater your event, which is why you should take the time to search for a well-reviewed Asheville catering service.  When you need a trusted and accommodating catering service for your upcoming corporate event, contact Dining Innovations at 828-210-2220 or online to get started.

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Whether you’re planning a corporate meeting, a charity event, or a multi-day conference, you need to make sure guests have adequate food options to ensure they are satisfied and receptive to your messaging.  This requires more than simply tapping random corporate and wedding catering services to figure it all out for you.

If you want to make sure your goals are met, you need to be involved in the process and you must avoid common mistakes that could undermine your success.  Here are just a few corporate catering blunders you’ll definitely want to steer clear of.

 Poor Budget Planning

One of the biggest mistakes when it comes to planning catering services for a corporate event is failing to create a suitable budget.  If you’re planning an event for the first time, you might need to seek quotes for different levels of catering just to get a rough idea of what you should reasonably expect to pay per head.  Naturally, you should go in with some idea of the number of guests you’ll be hosting.

If your budget is set and it’s simply not flexible, you can certainly shop around for catering options, but you might also want to consider alternatives to traditional, full-service meals.  Many events these days feature options like taco or tapas bars that require less preparation and reduced service staff, helping you to stick to a lower budget while still providing ample food.

Failure to Comparison Shop for the Right Asheville Catering Service

Finding the right catering service for your needs could require you to do some research.  This means making appointments to learn more about menus, rates, and availability, as well as scheduling tastings to sample menu items.  Just keep in mind that many caterers charge for tastings, so make sure to work this into your budget.

If you’re not sure where to start, try asking colleagues for referrals, checking reviews online, and simply looking at menus to see what appeals to you.  From there you can decide which catering services to visit and learn more about.  It’s important to understand your options so you can make the right choice for your upcoming corporate event.

Waiting Until the Last Minute

Sometimes hasty planning can’t be helped – you might have to hurriedly throw together a last-minute event.  However, if you have considerable time before your event, it pays to start looking for a suitable catering service early on so you have plenty of time to shop around, check menus, get quotes, and lock in your date.  Booking late could mean you’re unable to secure your preferred service provider.

Ignoring Modern Dining Innovations

So many people these days suffer from food allergies or follow special diets – you can hardly be expected to keep up.  And yet, your guests will certainly appreciate the effort.  You can try to choose a menu that lacks the most common allergens (nuts, soybeans, shellfish, etc.) and at least consider options that exclude common dietary restrictions like gluten and dairy.

Plenty of corporate and wedding catering services these days offer modern recipes that avoid ingredients modern diners seem to be cutting out in larger and larger numbers.  You could always ask guests to enumerate food allergies or dietary restrictions when they register for your event, but you needn’t necessarily go to the trouble when you team up with an Asheville catering service that offers creative, modern dishes to accommodate a wide variety of preferences.

Don’t forget, you don’t necessarily have to stick to a traditional sit-down meal.  Many corporate events these days feature specialty food options like snack bars situated throughout the venue or at cocktail hours.  You can choose from traditional options like breakfast, luncheon, or full-service catered dinners, or throw in box lunches, specialty food stations, dessert packages, or a mobile bar and hors-d’oeuvres.

There are all kinds of pitfalls you’ll want to avoid when choosing the right catering service for your corporate event, but when you set your budget, allow plenty of time to shop around, and maintain an open mind where your menu is concerned, you can create a truly unique and memorable culinary experience for guests.

Don’t hesitate to contact the seasoned professionals at Dining Innovations by phone at 828-210-2220 or online to learn more about the innovative catering solutions they offer for weddings and corporate events alike.

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Once you’ve nailed down the major concerns, like booking a venue, choosing your wedding colors, securing a wedding party, and finding THE dress, it’s time to move on to phase two, which includes narrowing down your list of potential vendors.  You’re probably going to want a photographer, a florist, and entertainment (a band or DJ), and of course, an upscale caterer like Dining Innovations to provide delicious food and drinks for your wedding guests.

When it comes to planning the menu, you’ll have to delve even further into details, and there are several conundrums you may encounter along the way.  Here are just a few key considerations that will help you to plan a menu that makes everyone happy, including you.

Sample wedding catering services.  The place to begin is by comparison shopping.  When it comes to choosing the perfect Asheville catering service, this means making appointments with the vendors you prefer so that you can see sample menus and try some of the food.  There are two reasons you don’t want to forego this important experience.

First, you really need to sample food to ensure that you find a caterer that meets your collective wants and needs.  You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and choose suitable menu items.  However, it’s also some of the most fun you and your soon-to-be spouse will have together during the wedding planning process.  In some cases, you’re getting free food from trained chefs that are trying to earn your business.

A couple of notes on tastings – find out the caterers’ policies ahead of time.  Some offer free tastings but with only a limited menu or only for the couple, not guests, just for example.  With some, the tasting fee is credited toward your wedding if you end up booking with the caterer.  Others simply charge – after all, they put a lot of time and expense into creating a full menu for you to taste.  If you’re getting food for free, do not abuse the caterer by bringing your entire family and wedding party and expecting everyone to get a meal.

Set a reasonable budget.  You might have a budget in mind for wedding catering services going into your event, but realize once you start shopping around that it’s really not reasonable for your area, your guest list, or the level of service you’re seeking.  If you’re on a tight budget, this could mean adjusting your expectations.  If you have some wiggle room in your budget and the quality of food and service isn’t negotiable, you’re simply going to have to resign yourself to allocating a bit more money to catering, even if that means skimping somewhere else.

Compare full versus partial service.  If you find that serving a full meal (i.e. dinner service) is simply outside what your budget will allow, or even if you’re looking for something a bit off the beaten path, you might want to discuss alternatives with wedding catering services.  Many couples these days elect to do food bars to cut costs or to increase engagement.

Popular choices include taco bars, tapas bars, dessert bars, or even mobile bar service paired with hors d’oeuvres.  You might try something a bit more inventive like a mac & cheese bar, a biscuit bar, or several different food stations for guests to choose from.  Keep in mind, however, the length and hour of your event.  If you’re hosting an evening wedding or your event is lengthy, guests are going to expect a full meal.

Consider dietary restrictions.  If you offer a variety of foods, chances are nearly everyone attending your wedding will be able to find something to eat.  However, if you happen to know that a large number of guests prescribe to certain diets (vegetarian or vegan, for example) or suffer specific dietary intolerances (gluten, dairy, soy, etc.), you can work with your Asheville catering service to create a menu that takes these restrictions into account.

Seek reputable service from Dining Innovations.  Planning a wedding can entail a lot of decisions and stress, and you can easily get bogged down in the minutiae.  When you choose an established, reputable, and reliable catering service like Dining Innovations, you’ll get the expert advice, delectable menu, and myriad options you need to create the perfect menu for your once-in-a-lifetime event.  Call today at 828-210-2220 to learn more.

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Food: Check!

Drinks…ummm…You just can’t decide.

Only beer and wine? A full bar—and if so, cash or open?

We get it. Let us help.

We’ve been in the catering business for more than a decade. That means we’ve been to more than our fair share of events, from casual outdoor weddings to formal indoor weddings, backyard birthday parties to bat mitzvahs, business conferences to surprise anniversary celebrations. You get the idea. While no two weddings or parties are ever exactly alike, we can say that many event organizers and planners all make the same choice: to have an open bar. We can also say that those who do are almost always happy they did—and report happy guests, too.

Here, three reasons our clients have told us why they think offering an open bar is a great choice.

• There’s something for everyone, regardless of preference or dietary restrictions.   
  Your grandpa Joe only drinks Scotch. Your cousin Mary is doing the paleo diet thing—absolutely no gluten can touch her lips these days. Your buddy Brandy’s cheeks flush bright red at merely the sight of wine and its sulfites. And you’ve got people coming that you don’t know that well, so you have no idea what they like to or can even safely enjoy. An open bar ensures you’ve got something for absolutely everyone. At Dining Innovations, our catered bar options include domestic beers, imported and craft beers, wines and sparkling wines, house and premium liquors plus mixings, specialty cocktails, bloody mary and mimosa fixins, you name it! Of course, we’ve got non-alcoholic options as well.
• It’s a great way to say thanks. If you’ve got guests flying all the way across the country for your Asheville wedding or old friends driving in from states away to surprise your husband on his retirement, an open bar is a subtle way to say thanks. It says that they’ve had to do a lot to be there and be a part of the celebration, so the drinks are on you.    
• It makes the guests happy—and ready to party down. We’ve never heard a guest say they were disappointed to encounter an open bar. Now, we definitely aren’t saying people should get drunk anytime they feel a bit nervous in a social setting, and we’re certainly not suggesting that alcohol is necessary for a good time. BUT, access to drinks can definitely help keep the party going, ensuring guests easily mix and mingle, engage in conversation, and, of course, hit the dance floor for maybe a little running man or, everyone’s favorite, the sprinkler.

We’re proud to be one of the few fully licensed caterers in Western North Carolina that can buy, sell, and serve alcohol. We offer a variety of options to satisfy your budget; an open bar doesn’t have to be cost prohibitive. And, we can bring the bar to you no matter where you’re holding your event. That’s right, we can take our open bar out on the open road! Whether you’re getting married in the park or throwing a bash on the beach—far from the traditional event space with fixed bar locations throughout—we’ve got you covered.

Give us a call today at (828) 210-2220 to ask about our open bar options, including our mobile bar. Or, visit dininginnovationsavl.com/contact-us and submit your inquiry online; we’ll get back with you before you can say, “Cheers!” You can also click here for a list of our catered bar packages.

The post 3 Reasons to Have an Open Bar at Your Asheville Wedding or Event appeared first on Dining Innovations | Catering Services for Weddings & Events.

We’ve got the perfect solution for you: Serve up heavy hors-d’oeuvres via several “around the world” stations. Let us explain.

Hors D’oeuvres With a Worldview

We may be based in North Carolina, but at Dining Innovations, we don’t only offer Southern-fried fare. In fact, we love cooking up an array of global dishes, from Korean bulgogi to Middle Eastern falafel. If you’re looking to offer a wide selection of foods to appease every eater at your event, consider setting up several different world stations featuring heavy hors-d’oeuvres. Your guests can travel to any number of the following destinations and mix and match bites from around the globe on one plate to create their own unique meal:

• Asia: The Asian fusion station offers our take on traditional dishes from Korea, Japan, and China, such as potstickers and spring rolls.
• Mexico: Our build-your-own taco bar is fully stocked with toppings, including homemade guacamole and a variety of salsas.
• Italy: The pasta is plentiful at this station, whether a meat ravioli or cheese tortellini.
• The Mediterranean: The tastes of Italy can be found here, too, along with stuffed grape leaves, hummus, and more.
• The South: Of course, we do offer foods native to NC and our neighbors. Our Southern specialties station includes favorites from pulled pork to pimento cheese. We can even do a gourmet mac and cheese bar, grits bar, or biscuit bar.

Right now, you may be thinking to yourself: But the stations offer hors-d’oeuvres. Will they really be able to feed everyone? Yes! If you’re looking to create a full meal for your guests, we can help you make selections within each station and choose the right number of stations overall to ensure everyone leaves happy. Of course, our around-the-world stations can also be the perfect fit for a cocktail hour or holiday cocktail party.

Contact us today at: 828.210.2220 to see how we can take you and your guests around the world via catering stations! And click here for more details about each type of cuisine we offer and the range of delicious choices within those styles.

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The Bearded Lady

-5 Oz Wild turkey Rye

-Splash of Cardamom & Orange Bitters

Shake together and pour into chilled glass.

Top with ginger ale and garnish with a Luxardo maraschino cherry

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Dining Innovations recently catered a wedding dinner at Sleepy Hollow Inn & Event Center, located only 15 minutes from Asheville. Situated on over 5 acres of wonderfully landscaped grounds, including a pond, gazebo and bridge, this historic Southern homestead is an elegant location for any wedding or private event. In 2002, they added a 2,400 square foot event center that works perfect to host a wedding reception or wedding ceremony. Inside the event center, you’ll notice an elegant grand room for up to 140 guests, windows lining North and South facade, a beautiful stone fireplace for a warm ambiance and a modern bar area. Danielle, the on-site coordinator is incredibly helpful and friendly, which makes our job as a caterer so much easier! Consider hosting your wedding or next party at Sleepy Hollow Inn and we will cater your food and beverage.

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Asheville is known for its beer, no doubt about that, so why not consider offering your guests the ultimate party experience by hosting your next event at a brewery? Catawba Brewing is one of Dining Innovations preferred venues to cater food. The brewery is a large open room with lots of natural light that utilizes many reclaimed materials for the seating, bar space, and decor. The staff is friendly and professional, making the whole party planning process a breeze. Catawba’s creative director, Mary Mayo, can be reached by phone, 336-707-8600, or email mary@catawbabrewing.com to book your next holiday party, wedding reception, or business meeting.

Learn more about Catawba and their beers by visiting http://catawbabrewing.com/beers

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