Small Gatherings Made Simple

With the holidays in the rear view, many of us are still recovering from all the events we attended and hosted. And while it may not be time for another huge party, there are still small gatherings to plan — housewarming and birthday parties, baby and wedding showers, even book clubs and casual get-togethers with friends.

Take some of the stress out of hosting with the help of a catering company. Luckily our area is home to many talented caterers offering everything from take-away to full-service catering, tailored to fit your needs. We talked to local caterers and a seasoned hostess about what you need to know before your next gathering.

Why Catering?

While you may think of catering primarily for large-scale events — weddings, reunions, graduation parties — there are good reasons to call in the pros for smaller gatherings, too.

We spoke to Debbie Pierce, co-owner of A Taste of Britain in Malvern. For her, the biggest reason to choose catering for small events is the amount of time you’ll save — time better spent enjoying the company of your guests. “Ever since Covid, I’ve realized how special it is to spend time together with your loved ones! Time is our most valuable resource. I think when you can take an easy shortcut, do it.”

Plus, taking food prep off your plate lowers your stress level. “Let us do the work, or at least some of the work,” said Pierce. “There can be a lot of stress when hosting a group, but if you don’t have to worry about the food, that’s one less thing to worry about. Ordering catering can put your mind at ease.”

Lastly, caterers can produce top-notch noshes — perhaps even better than you could. “We make everything from scratch, so it’s really good quality, just like you would make!” Pierce said. “But instead of messing up your nice, clean kitchen, we can put our cutting boards and bowls through a commercial dishwasher. Instead of going to multiple stores to buy a ton of ingredients, we can buy them in a bit larger quantity and prepare for our restaurant and your event. And we have people who want to cook and bake all day — so you don’t have to!”

Expert Touches

Even after you’ve decided to hire a caterer, there are still some decisions to make. We asked Melissa Sherman Kozlowski, creative operations director at Peachtree Catering & Events, about the planning process and how the experts can help. She had an apt metaphor for planning your event.

“Small gatherings are like diamonds in the rough,” she said. “A caterer’s job is to determine the color, clarity, cut and carat weight of the gathering. Color is the theme: farm-to-table green, barbecue denim, Valentine red, diner en blanc,” said Kozlowski. “Clarity is intention — are we perfectly clear in our understanding of the reason our client is hosting a gathering? Otherwise, our task will be murky.” Be sure to discuss the type of event you’re hosting, along with any theme or meal ideas you might have — tea sandwiches for an afternoon book club, hors d’oeuvres for an engagement party, three-course meal for a dinner party — with your caterer.

Kozlowski continued, “Cut is planning — we need to figure out the multiple facets of the party — menu, equipment, layout, service details, etc. — to make sure we’re hitting the mark vis a vis the color and clarity.” A good caterer will take your ideas and develop a soup-to-nuts plan for your event, so you don’t spend your whole event worrying about what comes next.

“Carat weight is budget, an essential piece of information, of course,” Kozlowski said. Be up front about your budget from the beginning, so there are no surprises down the line.

In conclusion, Kozlowski said, “Put them all together and your party will shine like a diamond!”

Sage Advice

Finally, we sat down with West Chester resident Cindy Walker to get a host’s perspective on catering small gatherings. Walker told us she’s no stranger to hosting events in her home — anniversary celebrations, office get-togethers, her son’s engagement party — and often uses a caterer.

“The smallest event I’ve used catering for was about 20 people at a steeplechase tailgate,” Walker recalled, “and the largest was my son’s farewell brunch for his wedding. We had about 70 people at our house, and catering from The Classic Diner made it so much easier!”

Walker’s reasons for choosing catering echoed what we heard from the caterers themselves. “You get to spend more time with your guests, you’re not exhausted from all the prep, and it’s better than what I could make!”

Walker also emphasized caterers’ expertise. “They think of everything — tiny spoons for appetizers, all the right serving implements, garnishing and plating dishes,” she said. “Caterers are food professionals, so they want to make everything look beautiful.”

When it comes time to choose a caterer, Walker finds herself drawn to familiar faces. “I pick up business cards at fundraisers and other events that use caterers,” she said. “I look back and remember which ones had great hors d’oeuvres and desserts, for example.”

We asked Walker for some tips to ensure your event goes smoothly. She recommends a clear line of communication with your caterer. Discuss setup and cleanup beforehand, and be clear about your budget. “Caterers can help you maximize your budget,” Walker said. She’s found that preparing your own drinks or flowers are low-stress cost-saving measures.

Another pro tip is to send the caterers photos of the event space beforehand. “Caterers are used to adapting to different locations, but sending pictures helps them figure out how to best use the space,” Walker explained.

Last but certainly not least, be courteous to your caterer. “Let them put out business cards and take pictures for social media,” Walker recommended. “And make sure you tip!”