These days, company picnic menus go far beyond the traditional coleslaw and bbq chicken selections. Today's picnic menus offer upgraded cuisine to suit all guests' tastes, palettes and eating habits. From the start of an event to the closing, catering companies are making sure that food is constantly available for their guests. Whether it be in the concessions, the buffets or desserts, picnic menus are including options that go far beyond tradition.
Planners are going beyond the typical balloons and decor to strengthen their event theme. Its not just popcorn and cotton candy that are being served up at concession stands anymore. For those who may not be ready for a sweet treat at the beginning of their event, deluxe nacho bars, corn cobbettes with salt and butter, giant dill pickles and turkey legs are being added to concession and picnic menus; each item adding to the Fiesta Fun, Country Fair or Carnival themes. The ever so popular funnel cakes, candied apples and deluxe flavored popcorn bars are a hit at events, bringing back the feel of family amusement parks. These deluxe concession stands are taking the word "upgraded" to a whole different level.
Picnic goers are choosing to go the healthier route with foods that are both good for you and taste fantastic as well. Salmon, shrimp, hummus, vegetable platters and non-mayonnaise based coleslaws, such as raspberry vinaigrette coleslaw are popping up in picnic buffets. They offer a healthy alternative to cheeseburgers, chili dogs and spare ribs. Although this may be the case for some picnic goers, there are others who definitely do not complain when they find that the buffet at their company picnic is filled with Jamaican jerk beef, Larry's spicy baked beans, mashed potatoes, Caesar salad and a nacho bar. Regardless of your choice, options are plentiful at company picnics.
Vegetarian and vegan selections are seen more and more frequently in catering menus and even in company picnic menus. Grilled vegetable kabobs, grilled vegetable salads, grilled tofu, veggie hot dogs and soy burgers are among the selections that planners are including in their menus for their picnic guests who are sticking to a non-meat regiment. The demand is so large for vegetarian and vegan selections, that catering companies are being creative with their picnic menu options to ensure that all guests are accommodated and fully satisfied.
Groups are also setting up buffets that are geared towards the little ones at events. Children tend to be too busy to want to eat tri-tip, pork ribs and salmon. They are often too overwhelmed with the entertainment options, inflatables and rides, picnic races, waterslide and zip-lines to even sit down to eat lunch. Groups are offering foods that are easy to grab and go: pizza, chicken nuggets, grilled quesadillas, grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, corn dogs and even macaroni and cheese. In order to please the inner child in us all, these on-the-go items can also be served on the main buffet. Who wouldn't want macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets?
There's no skimping on desserts either. Menus are offering more than ice cream sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies and Big Stick popsicles after the main buffet closes. Good ole' fashioned root beer floats, sundae bars and banana splits filled with toppings straight out of an ice cream parlor, ice blended coffees and even grilled pound cake with raspberry sauce, grilled bananas and fudge or grilled pineapples are given as the afternoon treat at many company picnics. On a hot day at a company picnic, no one can resist a sweet treat.
Planners are upgrading the beverage stands at picnics as well. Many upgraded beverage and alcohol services are serving as additional options for cooling guests off. Frozen drink bars, both alcoholic and virgin, margarita bars, sangria and martini bars offer upgraded beverage service for all guests while making it easy to stay in line with a picnic's theme. It is no surprise to find ice blended coffees, cappuccino bars and tea being served at picnics when you can find a Starbucks on every corner these days. Guests need their caffeine fixes and companies are recognizing this by adding these types of beverage service to their picnic menus. Adding a wide-range of beverage selections helps to ensure that guests are not only hydrated on warmer days but also that they can loosen up and have fun.
With upgraded company picnic menus, concessions, desserts and beverages, catering companies and event planners are able to accomplish success. Guests come happy and leave happy. This satisfaction encourages guests to participate in future company events and even company event committees. An enthusiastic committee and a delicious picnic menu build a strong foundation for future successful events.
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