How To Plan The Food For Your Company's Family Picnic

Food & Cooking Blog

Are you planning a picnic for your company in the near future? Whether you are the boss at your place of business or whether you have been asked to be in charge, planning the food can be a bit of a challenge. After all, there will be lots of people to please and you don't want to let them down. Here are some ideas that might help you to plan something delicious and memorable.

Of course, first you will need a count of how many people will be attending the company picnic. You'll need to find out how many spouses will be coming and how many children each worker will be bringing. Be sure to let those who will be coming know whether grandparents and other extended family members are to be included. 

Obviously, there are lots of ways you can feed a large group. Decide whether people will be bringing food or whether you will have the event catered.

Participants Bringing Food - This method is especially good if you are on a tight budget.

• One idea is to have an old-fashioned box lunch where everybody brings a decorated box full of goodies. Each box is then auctioned off which adds fun to your event. This is especially effective if you want to add a bit of competition to your event, or if you're trying to raise money for a certain cause.
• Planning a pot luck meal is a great way to feed those who attend, but it may take a bit of planning. You don't want mostly desserts with only a few main course items. Consider making assignments. For example, those whose last name begins with letters A through F could bring a salad, while those whose last name begins with G through M will bring a dessert. You get the picture.
• Another idea is to provide something like hoagie sandwiches or barbecue and asking participants to bring sides and desserts. Again, be specific on whom will bring sides and whom will bring desserts.

Having The Event Catered - If your budget allows catering, count yourself blessed.

• When you decide on which caterer to use, be sure to get everything in writing. Obviously it's important for the caterer to know how many people will be attending your event. If you want a special meal for children, indicate that to the caterer as well.
• Select a theme for your event. For example, if you have selected a western theme, a traditional barbecue meal would be perfect. Mexican food would be great for a South-of-the-Border theme.
• Catering bags are a great way to feed a large group. Not only can you order delicious food, but the meal would be very easy for you to distribute to those attending the picnic. Consider things like sandwiches made of artisan breads, fried chicken, fruit, chips and brownies or specialty cookies. If you want to get fancy, the catering bags can even contain boxes of spaghetti and meatballs, Chinese food, or any other hot meal you select.

Be sure to take plenty of pictures at your event. Put them up on the bulletin board at work as a reminder that company picnics can be a lot of fun.

8 June 2017