Are you planning a party or celebration, but don’t want to get bogged down in running the show? Let a catering service plan and manage the event for you, so you can enjoy it too! Finding cheap catering services is not that difficult. Here are some good places to look>

1) Non-Profit Caterers

These caterers typically offer catering services as way to train aspiring caterers. They offer catering services for free because they are training would-be professionals in catering. Finding cheap catering services is typically easy this way.

2) Culinary Programs

Some colleges and universities have catering programs that offer cheap catering services as training grounds for students, offering catered meals at reasonable prices. They can offer you reasonably priced meals for your different party events. Plus, as an added bonus, you can sample different culinary delights that the students make at the culinary schools.

3) Meals-to-go Companies

These companies sell fresh or frozen meals that come in boxes that you only need to microwave. These meals often have excellent quality and are very palatable. They are usually fully prepared along with entrees, desserts, side dishes, and soups. These are excellent alternatives to fully catered meals and are very good in quality.

4) Specialty Stores and Grocery Chains

These stores often have prepared meals and are similar to meals-to-go companies. Often, they also have excellent food that is prepared ahead of time. You can call ahead so that they can prepare large batches of food for you that you can then sample. They can prepare salad, soup, entrees, and desserts for you. You can also hire waitresses and waiters to serve the food for you at your party event. This should be part of your party planning checklist.

5) Restaurants

Restaurants will often be willing to cater your events for a minimal fee. Reasonably priced restaurants will offer reasonably priced food as well. They can offer to sample your food ahead of time so you can pick from their menu your choice of items. These restaurants will be happy to accommodate you.

If You Need Help…

TalkLocal will gladly connect you with up to three professional catering services in your area in just minutes, so you can compare prices and find the one that’s right for you.

Advantages

You may be asking yourself, “why use a catering service?” Well, there are many advantages to using a catering service. First and foremost, planning a corporate event or party means that there is almost always food involved. Whether you are planning for 50 or 100 people, cooking for that many people involves having a huge kitchen, something you, in all likelihood, won’t have.

Secondly, you probably won’t have the serving capabilities that you need. These serving capabilities include the serving dishes that the food will come in, the plates, the utensils,  and the napkins. Third is the tables and chairs that you need to accommodate a large event. Lastly, you need waiters and waitresses to serve the food for you. By this time, it is pretty obvious that you need catering services for your party.

Benefits

The answer to – and benefits of – why use a catering service are pretty straightforward. You get to relax while waiters and waitresses serve your guests the food and drinks they need. You don’t need to worry about your food staying warm at the buffet table, if you opt for a buffet style. If you opt for a sit-down dinner, you don’t need to worry about your food being served. All in all, you can relax at your party without worrying about your food.

Additionally, you can be sure that you won’t run out of food and that your food will taste great, because you have sampled the menu beforehand. You can also be sure that you won’t run out of drinks if you have opted for a mobile bar, so you can be sure that your guests will enjoy themselves thoroughly. There are numerous benefits to catering services, and these are just a few of them. You can even have vegetarian dishes for discerning guests!

Need to Find a Caterer?

Here at TalkLocal, we are dedicated to helping you find a caterer that will suit your needs. Give us a call today!

To the ordinary party goer, there might not seem to be a lot of science that goes into planning the occasion. But, if you have ever tried to organize a party or event, you likely think otherwise.

Parties and events require A LOT of planning in order to go off without a hitch. If you have attended a poorly planned party, you probably noticed it. Maybe there was not enough food or accommodations for all the guests.

This is why party planners are so important. The following are some different party planning events that may require professional help.

Birthday Parties: While you won’t have to call in professional party planners to plan an informal, at-home birthday party for your child, there are some more lavished parties that do require careful planning. These can include Sweet 16 parties, a Bat Mitzvah or Quinceanera. These occasions must accommodate larger lists of guests and are generally held at banquet halls or reception facilities. Many of them are catered.

Since these parties are so complex, it takes an organized party planner to coordinate every aspect of them.

Weddings and Receptions: While most prospective brides and grooms turn to wedding planners, a party planner can usually get the job done — especially when it comes to the reception. Coordinating food, drink, music, dancing, events, invitations, seating arrangements — these occasions can be a blur and something that brides, grooms, and their families do not want to mess with on the big day.

Corporate Events: Many companies hold banquets, dinners, and galas for a whole host of reasons. Many of these events are in effort to market the company to the general public. This is why everything needs to be perfect. Most company officials are so busy tending to the day-to-day operations of their businesses that they do not have time to plan these events.

Finding Party Planning Help In Your Area

All these different party planning events have specific demands and should be approached differently. Professional party planners have party and event planning down to a science, which can save you chaos on the big day.

Finding a party planner in your local area is ultra simply thanks to TalkLocal. All you have to do is submit an inquiry, and we will go to work finding you the right help. Just sit back, and wait for them to call you.

For many, organizing a party can seem overwhelming. Your main objective is for everyone to have a good time, so the stress of ensuring everything is just right can prevent some people from even attempting it.

One crucial step is planning a party checklist. Being able to mark off items to visually see that everything is accounted for can greatly reduce a host’s stress level. Here are a few categories you’ll want to include to make sure that everything is covered:

RSVPs: Do you know how many people expect to attend the party? Prior to starting your checklist, you will need to know how much of everything you will need.

Decorations: Have you appropriately decorated for your party? Generally, decorations are done to taste, but guests often appreciate when a host has gone above and beyond expectations.

Food: This one is big. Check your RSVPs — who has special eating needs? For someone with a gluten intolerance or peanut allergy, having foods he or she can safely eat available will show a great deal of care on your part. Also, add to your list specifically the exact foods you need so that you can check them off as you complete them. If you are doing a potluck, add who will be bringing what dish.

Music: Will you be providing the music with a radio or will you be hiring a DJ? Do you have specific music that you want to play? Add these items to your list as well.

Housework: If your party will be at your home, what needs to be done prior to guests’ arrival? Add a cleaning list or home repair items to your list.

Ask For Help!

If your event is simply too overwhelming and you don’t think simply planning a party checklist will get you through, ask an expert. TalkLocal can find local party planners who are more than qualified to handle your event. The best part is that our service is absolutely free.

Thanksgiving is such a fun time of year for adults and children alike, and if you plan on throwing a party for thanksgiving it is important to provide children with entertaining activities to take part in. Here are a few examples of festive and fun Thanksgiving activities for kids.

The Turkey Trot is a simple activity for young children. To do the turkey trot, find an open area to play in like your yard. Instruct the children to form their arms into wings and imitate turkeys. This is a silly activity that will have everyone giggling and the best part is it involves imagination. The kids can be fancy turkeys, scary turkeys, baby turkeys, or whatever they can imagine!

Free the Fowl is a festive version of Kick the Can. One player is chosen as “it” and a can or football is placed in an open space. “It” will count to a predetermined number while the other children hide and when “it” is finished counting, he or she will try to tag the others. If a player is tagged, he or she must freeze. Any unfrozen player can kick the can. If it’s kicked, the frozen players are freed. If all the players are frozen, “it” wins.

Wall Football is a variation of Pin the Tail on the Donkey. To prepare for this game, design a large field goal on a wall using paper and tape. Cut out football shapes using brown paper with a tape roll on the back and have kids write their name on their football. Spin blindfolded kids around three times and have them stick their football on the wall. Getting the ball inside the field goal boundary is worth three points. After several rounds, the child with the most points wins.

Teaspoon Pass will keep little hands busy. Place five shelled peanuts on a plate. The object of the game is for children to pass the nuts along using their spoons without dropping any nuts.

Hand Turkey – a time-tested favorite activity is tracing your hand and decorating it like a turkey! Children can use glue, yarn, glitter, markers, and crayons. Hanging the festive art on your walls will give the children a sense of pride.

If you’re occupied with cooking, no worries! Simply call TalkLocal to be connected with professionals. They’ll help you find a party planner who can give you a hand and make the day seamless, fun, and stress-free. Happy Thanksgiving!