Planning a memorable event at your coworking space can be tough. You want attendees to have fun, of course. But you also want to convey your message and leave people with a positive impression of your brand.
You have a number of opportunities to impress your guests. The food you serve is one of the biggest.
People are wired to remember negative experiences more vividly than positive ones. Running out of food, or having the food arrive late for your event, can be embarrassing. Picking food that people find boring or bland can be just as much of a disaster.
So, without a doubt, you should play it safe. Find a reliable catering service with good online reviews and a track record of on-time delivery. But safe doesn’t have to be boring. If you’re ready to branch out from the local pizza shop, here are some out-of-the-box catering ideas that your guests will rave about.
- Waffles
If there’s one thing that consistently surprises and delights the folks at ezCater’s office, it’s waffle delivery. Whether they’re sweet, savory, or topped with fried chicken, they’re more than an exciting treat. They’re a conversation starter. We love Zinneken’s in Cambridge, MA. But you can reliably find a standout option in almost every city, like Waffle de Lys in New York or Babycakes Gourmet in Chicago.
- Smoothies
Nothing energizes an event like a blend of protein powder, fresh fruits and veggies, and coconut water. But you don’t need to man the blender all morning if you want to serve healthy food at your event. Smoothie and juice delivery is becoming more readily available in cities of all sizes. Especially for a morning event, they can be a great way to serve something different while keeping healthy eaters happy. Our top-rated community favorites: 8th Wonder Juice Bar in NYC and RAWkin’ Juice in Burbank, CA.
- Savory Pastries
From empanadas to Australian meat pies, savory pastries are experiencing a renaissance. Australian meat pie shops like KO Catering & Pies in Boston or Tuck Shop in NYC are a great option if you want to add an international, yet comforting and familiar, flair to an event.
- Taco Bar
All of your guests are unique people, with unique tastes. A build-your-own taco bar isn’t just fun. It also lets your guests go as crazy as they want with the hot sauce, or skip the meat, or hold the onions. Most caterers who serve tacos will offer a build-your-own option, which saves you the stress of having to anticipate dietary restrictions or preferences.
- Cupcakes
Here at ezCater, cupcakes tie everything together. When someone does something that exemplifies our company culture, we surprise him with a cupcake. In every job offer we make, cupcakes are a guaranteed perk—written right in the offer letter. So why cupcakes? They’re a small gesture, but a nice one. Think of them as the icing on the cupcake of your event. Because, sometimes, it’s the little things—the unexpected surprises—that count.
What foods do you serve to spice up your events? We’d love to hear from you on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.