How to Plan Your Menu

Choosing the right menu for your party or event depends on a number of factors:

• The style of the event
• The space available
• The time of day
• The duration of the event
• Your budget

At Dish Food and Social, we provide four main styles of food to our guests (but, of course, we’re happy to stretch our creativity any direction it needs to go):

Mini meals

• These are complete dishes of food (i.e. protein, veg and carbs) but in miniature, that can be eaten while standing, with one implement or none at all, and are typically handed around by waiters
• They provide a substantial meal that is filling, yet allows variety, movement, and eating while standing

Food bars/stations

• A food bar is essentially a mini kitchen counter set up to serve food direct to your guests. This can be anything from a braai station, to a fresh sushi station, a burger bar, seafood bar, salad bar, carpaccio bar or even a broth or wok station.
• This works very well for desserts for any kind of function, as guests can choose to go and get a pancake from the pancake station, or choose toppings for a D.I.Y. ice cream sundae.
• Food stations are fabulous for a venue with lots of space, or a party where there is lots of movement.
• Food bars serve the same style and size of meal as one would get with mini meals, but the method of service adds a feature and a whole different vibe to your event.

Canapés/finger snacks

• These are little items that can be eaten without a plate, and are one or two mouthfuls each
• They are perfect for a cocktail party or any event where people are not expecting a full meal
• These can also be made a bit more substantial by providing sufficient quantity of choices
• They add a classy, more ‘cocktail’ atmosphere to your event

Three course (or more) sit-down meal

• For this style of event you need sufficient space for your guests to sit, and be served. Your chefs will have to be on site preparing the meal fresh for you, and you will need enough waiters to serve and clear the plates.
• This is perfect for a formal dinner, or a family style gathering
• Many of the menu items at Dish can be prepared so that one can have a ‘table buffet’ – manageable platters of food laid out down the centre of the table for guests to serve themselves (this format is also great for getting conversation going when few people at the table know each other)
• We can, with some menus, provide table buffet items that can be dropped off at your home, and simply need to be warmed and served. This is ideal for a more intimate gathering where one does not wish to have a bevy of staff at home.