How do you make everyone happy?

Planning a memorable corporate event requires a lot of effort, careful consideration, and let’s not forget, a fantastic menu. The power of great food in bringing people together and shaping experiences is undeniable.

➡️ But how do you ensure that your corporate catering menus truly stand out and impress your guests?
➡️ How do you make your event the one that everyone talks about around the water cooler (or on Slack), for all the right reasons?

Well, you’re in the right place.

Whether you’re an office administrator or an event planning pro, this post will help you plan the perfect menu. We’ll delve into the art and science of designing Denver corporate catering menus that not only satisfy taste buds but also elevate the entire event experience.

The tips here apply to everyone, but you’ll find this post especially useful if you’re planning a corporate event in Denver.

From understanding your audience and prioritizing seasonality and balance, to infusing creativity and maintaining impeccable service quality, we have you covered. By the end of this post, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and insight you need to make your corporate catering menus the talk of the town (or at least the office).

So, let’s get started on our journey to creating the perfect corporate catering menu.

Understand Who You’re Catering to (Literally & Figuratively)

seasonal spinach saladThe first question to ask when creating a powerful catering menu for corporate events is: who are you catering to?

Are you serving your team lunch during an all-day training, or are you saying thank you to your top donors at an exclusive evening event? The dishes and experiences here are going to be quite different.

For the former, you may consider a Fit & Fresh or Lifestyles Bowl option that provides luscious low-fat, high-carb, high-protein meals that will fuel your team for learning and creativity.

For the latter, your focus will likely be more wow factor. Our Urban menu combines tasty and creative plates, including:

  • Passed hors d’oeuvre: Bao Big Mac Steamed Buns featuring 5 spice pork belly | Wasabi Thousand Island | Sesame Ginger Pickles | Bib Lettuce
  • Salad: Mandarin Spinach Salad with mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, red onions, and balsamic
  • Entree: Pineapple Soy Hangar Steak with Szechuan Shrimp, served with sugar snap peas, black bean sauce, and jasmine rice
  • Dessert: Dessert Poke featuring passion fruit tapioca custard, sesame brittle, dragon fruit, and blueberries

This should be the first question you ask when you get started! Think about their wants and desires, potential dietary or event restrictions, your budget for this demographic based on your event goals, etc. Our planners can help you run through these questions and many more to create the perfect menu, too.

Place Focus on Seasonality & Balance

delicious seasonal bowlNext, consider what time of year and day you’re hosting your event.

Creating a seasonal menu that balances indulgences with healthy eats is popular in an active city like Denver. If it’s a daytime luncheon, you may want to go with something a little bit lighter, but if it’s an evening event, that isn’t as much of a priority for most corporate soirees.

For example, the Luther Burgers served on a glazed donut hole on our Classic Menu are a favorite summer hors d’oeuvre—nothing screams summer like sliders! Whereas for winter corporate events, guests love plates reminiscent of the holiday season, like warm pretzels with fondue.

At Rocky Mountain Catering and Events, our local purveyors are our lifeblood and what makes our food so incredibly flavorful and delicious, no matter what season.

These are just a few ways we source local food for our corporate catering events in Denver:

Plus, sourcing locally is a great conversation starter for clients, investors, partners, and colleagues!

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Creative—In Fact, Make Creativity Required

fancy backyard eventWe think menus make moments. And what that means is that when someone is wowed by a plate or beverage you serve, it’s going to be a moment they remember. Isn’t that what you want for a VIP or C-suite event?

Think outside the box when creating dishes and add in some creative plating to really spark a memorable meal. As a chef-owned company, Rocky Mountain Catering & Events prides itself on not only delicious food but also the creativity seen in the details of our dishes. 

The thing about corporate events is that planning them can be fun. You just need the right supportive team on your side.

Consider things like:

  • Interactive dessert stations like a flambeed donut station or an edible cookie dough bar for networking events
  • Offer a breakfast burrito buffet at the office as a surprise for your team when they hit quarterly KPIs
  • Serve a build-your-own sandwich bar so your team can fuel with exactly what they want and need before a training event versus a set platter
  • Host a backyard picnic (elevated, of course) as a summer client mixer

Our team can work with yours to also cultivate a custom menu to suit your guests’ unique flavor preferences, dietary restrictions, and your team’s budget!

Factor in Service Quality & Elements

selection of high end menuNow, you can have the best menu in the world with the most creative dishes and elegant presentation. But if it’s not served efficiently and effectively, you’re not going to wow anyone. You don’t want service delayed and running in competition with your keynote speaker taking the stage. Nor do you want to be searching for utensils because your drop-off caterer forgot to leave them with the order while your team has limited break time on-site at an all-day training.

How many times have you been to a gala where you’re disappointed when you’re at the last table served and your salmon is cold? How many times have you been frustrated by the long bar line keeping you from networking and making connections?

Think about these potential mishaps and consider how important your investment in the right caterer is. You know that when these things have happened on-site at an event you’ve attended, you’ve left with a sour taste in your mouth.

So, while managing corporate event planning and menu tasks, you want to think about:

  • What’s the event timeline?
  • What is the server/bartender-to-staff ratio?
  • What venue considerations do we need to think about (i.e., is the venue set up for corporate events?)
  • How are they going to ensure accuracy with numbers and dietary restrictions?
  • Do I need a professional planner on-site so I can focus on creating connections or running my session?

These are just a handful of questions that will impact the guest experience. If you have an experienced and trustworthy full-service catering company on your side, they’ll ensure that you are taken care of by asking these questions.

With Rocky Mountain Catering & Events, you can rest assured that the service experience is just as delicious as the food on the plate. That’s what creates a positively memorable event, in our opinion!

Let Rocky Mountain Catering & Events Help You Design Your Next Corporate Catering Menu

Corporate events can be one of the top revenue drivers for your business—if they’re done well. That’s why whether you’re hosting a small board meeting or stakeholder meeting for 25 or a product launch event for 1,000+, you should enlist the support of a team of professionals.

Our full-service Rocky Mountain Catering team—which includes chefs, planners, day-of coordinators, waitstaff, and more—will take care of every element of your event, from impactful experiential design to corporate menu planning and wow-worthy event execution.

Let’s chat about your Denver area corporate event goals and uncover how we can support you in getting ROI.