Get meeting, event, conference, and party planning resources, all at your fingertips

How to Make Your Event Memorable with Food

Q. How can I make my event memorable for my guests?

A. Five Easy Menu-Planning Tips That Will Have Your Guests Saying “Wow!”

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” - James Beard

When it comes to planning an event, a little creative menu planning is not only a great conversation starter, but also a great way to help make your event a more memorable experience.

1. Theme Your Event. One of the easiest and most fun ways to enhance an event is to plan a themed menu. From a Hawaiian Luau to the Great Outdoors, creating a themed menu can make your event more energetic and exciting. For daytime meetings, incorporate healthier versions of your theme to avoid afternoon sugar slumps. If you are launching a new product or brand, incorporate color or graphic components in food presentation to complement your brand and generate excitement.

2. Think Seasonal. The time of year your event takes place should play a large role in determining the food and beverages on your menu. Select items that incorporate in-season ingredients, for example artichokes or apricots in the spring, strawberries or melon in the summer, apples or squash in the autumn, or mushrooms or pomegranates in early winter.

3. Engage the Senses. Work with a caterer who can focus on engaging all of the senses through sound, textures, flavor and presentation to entice your attendees. Prep or sizzle aromatic ingredients at interactive Chef Stations to tantalize your guests. Engage the sense of touch by using linens or table runners with texture, e.g. silk, burlap or muslin. Mix things up by serving food in an unexpected way, e.g. family-style earthen platters passed around the table, soft cushioned seating or pillows on the floor, or even outside bench seating near a bonfire.

4. Go Local or Global. Do your guests live local to your event or are they from another state, perhaps even another country? Work with your vendor’s culinary staff for local or regional food ideas. Think locally and showcase your event’s geographic location by selecting popular dishes from that area. For example, if your event takes place in New Orleans, offer popular Creole dishes or fresh seafood. Or, go “green” with foods grown locally in the area. You can also expand your guest’s horizons by thinking globally. Serve international cuisine by offering menu selections from locations around the world through various exotic food stations.

5. Play with Food. Create a culinary challenge for your guests as individuals or teams. Whether it’s a chili cook-off or a cupcake decorating challenge, your guests are sure to have fun creating competitive masterpieces. Best of all, their creations are edible when the competition ends.

Maria Hutera, CMP, Meeting and Event Specialist | 3M | maria.hutera@gmail.com

A Minnesota native, Maria Hutera, CMP, has over 13+ years of event experience in the Twin Cities area. She is currently the Meeting and Event Specialist, for 3M. She is an active member in the Minnesota chapter for both Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and International Special Events Society (ISES). In 2011, she was awarded the Minnesota Meeting + Events’ Hall of Fame “Up and Coming Meeting Planner” award.