Catering, What food keeps the best?

[Paddy]

I'm in charge in providing the Groom dinner the night before the wedding. It's a destination wedding at a ski resort in Colorado. We are renting a large house very near the venue hosting the wedding. So we plan to have the dinner catered at the rental house. This is just immediate family and there are 15-20 guests.

What can we have catered that holds up over time? I've had rubbery chicken, dried out port tenderloin and just cold food before. I'm thinking if I can get an un-sliced roast beef and or smoked beef brisket whole, they can be kept in the oven on low. Throw in some mac and cheese and roasted red potatoes, also good keepers on low. Finnish with a big salad and a variety of dressings.

Any other good keeping item suggestions? I'm new to this end of this

 

[Snobdds]

Where in Colorado? If Steamboat I have some good places to check out for catering.

 

[EddieWalker]

For only 20 people, why not make it into a party and grill? Sausages, burgers, steaks, corn on the cob, squash and whatever else you can think of? Fresh, hot off the grill and hanging out with friends sounds perfect to me.

 

[Mendonsy]

Hostess Twinkies!! They will keep for years!!

 

[PILOON]

Go to COSCO and purchase their party trays,
Shrimp, cheese trays and some others,
Always fresh as you leave the door!

 

[Snobdds]

There's no Costco in any Colorado mountain town. In fact some don't even allowed fast food joints in city limits.

 

[Paddy]

The location is BeaverCreek. I'd like to have a grill party. The other half is not wanting to cook, mainly because it's a rented house and don't really know what we have to work with. We arrive about 6 hours before the dinner.

 

[forgeblast]

Think crock pot items, Meatballs and sub rolls, pulled pork, a meat tray, etc.

 

[MossRoad]

Around here, pretty much every caterer offers Polish style food.... because there are so many Polish people. Chicken, sausage, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, cabbage, noodles.... It keeps well for hours in warming trays. I've probably been to several hundred events from weddings, conferences, sporting events, my own kid's graduations from grade schools, high schools, colleges, funerals, divorces.... pretty much if the day ends in Y, it's a good reason to have a Polish dinner around here. It's a hard meal to mess up.

And another benefit, although it doesn't affect you in this case, I think, is that it all freezes well and tastes pretty much the same when it comes out again a couple months later.... no waste.

Heck, I just attended a Polish style dinner last night! :laughing:

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Why does catered food have to hold up over time? Is this party going to last for 2 days? Just discuss the menu with the caterer to find out what is available for hot food. You aren't going to feed 20 people out of a crock pot, but a caterer should have large stock pots that could prepare enough soup. They should provide one cook and perhaps a server for a party that size. If you want to serve roast or brisket, I recommend the caterer bring along a Traeger pellet grill and cook the meat outside. The flavor will be outstanding. A whole sirloin served with french bread and dipping sauce would make a great main course.

If money is a consideration, shake the guest list. Surely somebody's mom would take over groom dinner cooking for you.