Boardroom Banquets: 10 Fun Corporate Catering Ideas
Soggy sandwiches on stale bread. Cold pizza with cardboard crust. Wilted salads with barely any dressing. Corporate catering can easily take a turn for the worse, leaving your employees unsatisfied, unmotivated, and ready to clock out for the day to get some real food.
When you want to be a lunchtime hero, you need to skip the usual catering fare. Whether you’re celebrating your employees’ hard work with a special lunch, hosting guests for a meeting, or putting on a conference, you need unique corporate catering ideas that are sure to wow. Here are 10 crowd-pleasing ideas to consider.
1. Taco Bar
Want to really give the office something to taco ‘bout? Set up a versatile and taste-bud-tantalizing taco bar for your next corporate lunch. With crisp tortilla shells, a variety of savory meats, cool sour cream, warm rice, creamy guacamole, and other delicious fillings, a taco bar will have the whole office raving for the rest of the week about your catered lunch.
Line the ingredients on a table, and let employees build their tacos to their stomach’s desire. Because tacos are versatile and customizable, it’s easy to meet different dietary needs and preferences with one meal.
2. Poke Bowls
Raw fish might not be your first thought when planning an office lunch, but poke bowls are an excellent choice. They are often made with super fresh ingredients like marinated raw fish, fluffy rice, crisp veggies, and flavorful toppings.
Poke is another option perfect for folks with dietary restrictions like gluten intolerances or low-carb lifestyles. You can have everyone put in their orders ahead of time and give each person their bowl, or you can set up a poke bar where employees can build their bowls on the spot.
3. Breakfast for Lunch
When it comes to fun catering ideas for work, you can’t get more unique than breakfast for lunch. Offer savory and sweet options like warm Belgian waffles with maple syrup and whipped cream, cheesy omelets, smoked salmon bagels, thick French toast with fresh fruit, and other breakfast favorites. Folks can satisfy their sweet tooth, indulge in a savory treat, or make up for the breakfast they skipped that morning.
4. Mac and Cheese Bar
Let your office unleash their inner child with a mac and cheese bar — but no boxed mac here. Put a grown-up spin on this childhood classic by offering different cheeses and delicious mix-ins like bacon, broccoli, shredded chicken, cauliflower, and breadcrumbs. Set out warm cooked pasta, various cheese sauces, and plenty of add-ins so everyone can create their dream mac and cheese concoctions.
5. Soups and Stews
If you’re catering in the fall or winter, a soups and stews station will warm everyone’s hearts and fill their stomachs. Set up a diverse range of options, such as chicken noodle, tomato basil, clam chowder, Italian wedding, beef stew, French onion, and goulash. Don’t forget to have plenty of warm, toasty bread on the side for dipping.
6. Burrito Bar
Flavorful rice, tender meat, fresh salsa, and melty cheese all wrapped up in a warm tortilla — what’s not to love about burritos? If you need catering ideas for an office lunch, look no further than a CYO burrito bar. Employees are welcome to stuff their burritos with all the fillings their hearts desire, like brown rice, white rice, chicken, carnitas, steak, guac, salsa, lettuce, queso, and sour cream. And folks looking for a healthier Mexican food option can skip the tortilla and go heavier on the meat for a lower-carb, higher-protein lunch.
7. Gourmet Grilled Cheese
Who doesn’t dream of gooey, melty cheese between two slices of buttery, toasted bread? This is another childhood favorite that can be given a professional adult twist. Employees can keep things simple with classic American cheese and white bread or elevate the grilled cheese with creative fillings and gourmet bread.
Provide options like brie and apple, smoked gouda and ham, spinach and artichoke, caprese, and fig and goat cheese. With a gourmet cheese bar, it’s easy for everyone to find a sandwich that hits the spot. You can take it the extra mile by also offering small sides of simple soups like minestrone, chicken noodle, and tomato.
8. Mediterranean Spread
Mediterranean cuisine offers a rich array of delicious and generally healthy flavors, thanks to its focus on fresh vegetables and lean proteins. Provide a Mediterranean spread for attendees to create the perfect personal plate from. Some dishes you can set out include hummus, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, grilled kabobs, gyros, and baba ganoush. End the meal with a sweet treat like baklava.
9. Crepe Party
Crepes are another versatile option that can be prepared sweet or savory, offering a wide range of fillings and toppings to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. Set up a fun and interactive crepe station at your event where folks can choose their fillings to make the experience more engaging and enjoyable. Fillings can range from ham and cheese to strawberries and cream or spinach and ricotta to chocolate hazelnut.
Cater Your Corporate Event with Burrachos
Elevate your next corporate event with catering that satisfies every palate. Explore Burrachos' customizable catering options for burrito and taco bars, perfect for any dietary need or budget. Book your catering today and impress your attendees!