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Even though there are numerous tasks involved in properly planning a conference, you can use our helpful checklist to make sure you don't leave anything out. From talking with the caterers to choosing the venue and sending out invites, here's everything you need to know to organise your next conference. 

Ideally, you will want to start the planning process 16 to 18 months in advance. The larger the event, the more time you will need to plan. If you don't have 16 to 18 months to prepare for your next event, you can adjust the suggested time guideline below to meet your needs. 

16-18 Months Before the Event

Set Goals with Your Planning Committee

First, you need to set goals and objectives for your event. What is the purpose of the event? Next, you're going to build a planning committee that can help you bring these goals to life. The planning committee will need to determine how many attendees you are going to invite, which will help in determining how much space you need. This is also the point at which you will set an exact date for the event to take place. 

Select date

Work out the Budget

Your planning committee will also be in charge of developing a preliminary budget as well as soliciting sponsorship. Even if you already have a budget in place to pay for the event, soliciting sponsorship is an excellent way to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. 

Find a Venue

Now you will want to choose a venue. Keep in mind there will likely be several venues that can accommodate the space and purpose of your event, so you'll want to visit each one in person to get an idea of which one is the best fit. Once you choose which venue is best suited to meet the event's needs, you'll want to secure it with a deposit.

Think about Themes

If the event is going to have a theme, you need to pinpoint any specifics, and you'll also start incorporating theme specifics into your event's marketing plan. You might find it helpful to build a website centered around the event and its theme, or at least a page on your current website or company intranet. This page can even used as an the event registration platform. 

Develop Event Master Plan

Send out Invitations and Finalise Any Contracts

As far as "save the date" notices, you can send them via postal mail, email, or both. And if any additional contracts need to be secured with providers, such as hotel accommodations, this is the point you will want to secure them. 

12-14 Months Before the Event

Round Up the Speakers

About a year in advance, you will want to secure speakers for the event. Don't forget to line up a list of substitute speakers just in case something was to happen and one or more of the original speakers cannot make it to the conference. To entice speakers, you will want to assure them you will take care of their lodging and food expenses. 

Identify and contact sponsors/partners

Start Marketing

It's also at this time that you will need to start marketing the conference and its registration rates. All of this information should be clearly outlined on the event's website. 

Nine to 10 Months Before the Event

Start Accepting Registrations

This is when you open registration to those you invited. You are likely not paying for attendees' hotels, but you should consider teaming up with certain local hotels and secure special rates for attendees to take advantage of. You will want to display these special rates on the event's website. 

Four to Six Months Before the Event

Finalise the Agenda

You will use this period of time to finalise the event's speakers and agenda. Don't forget to update the event's website with speaker information. You'll also need to prepare for the event's audio and visual needs as well as properly plan for anyone who may attend in a wheelchair. 

Three Months Before the Event

Choose a Caterer

See our conference menus for ideas:

• Conference Menu #1
• Conference Menu #2
• Conference Menu #3

Liaison with presenters/speakers

Venue/logistics planning: 

• Investigate need for any special permits, licenses, insurance, etc.
• Determine and arrange all details re menu, A/V equipment, registration set-up, parking, signage, etc.
• Review security needs
• Create draft event script

Ensure you have copies of phone numbers, seating arrangement and guest list 

Check-in with all parties involved if everyone is on track 

Provide final registration numbers to caterer 

Three Weeks Before the Event

Final Confirmations

Confirm conference arrangements, such as those made with caterers and also assign session moderators. 

waPrinting

If any printed material is going to be used during the event, such as seating designation signs and brochures, you will need to have them printed at this time. 

One Week Before the Event

Walkthrough

Audio and video equipment should be set up during this time too.

Day of the Event

Take it all in!

Relax and rest assured your extensive conference planning has paid off. 

This checklist is a great starting point. If you need some help along the way, Laissez-faire Catering can cater to all your event needs. Call us today! Tell us about your event and we'll give you a quote and get started.

The responsibility of organising training days, office events, drink nights, and meetings can be incredibly difficult, especially when it's left in the hands of a single person. Organising and planning any type of event requires a lot of preparation, effort, and time, all of which become maximised when planning for a large company. Fortunately, there are several tips you can follow to make office event planning easy. 

Create a Google Calendar to Coordinate Events

With so much going on, it can be difficult to keep up with everything. From board meetings to budget planning to finishing your daily duties, planning an event requires much organisation, and this organisation runs even deeper when planning multiple events. 

To help ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the events, you can use Google Calendars. Not only does it allow you to share event dates with everyone involved in the event, but it also automatically updates changes across everyone's calendars when you have to alter a date for a meeting or activity. Since changes are very common when planning an event, you will want to send a memo to everyone to check their Google Calendar daily for changes. This enables you to rest assured everyone is made aware of the changes without you having to send out individual updates. 

Create and Use Checklists for Each Event

To say you're going to plan an event without the use of a checklist is, by far, the biggest mistake you can make. Having a checklist on you at all times will not only allow you to check off things you have accomplished but it keeps your memory fresh regarding the things you still need to do. And since no two events are exactly the same, you will need to customise a checklist for each event you are preparing. If you have previous experience with a certain type of event, use your checklist from that event to plan any future ones; this will ensure you don't overlook anything. You can also use a checklist you find online. Ideally, a general checklist will look something as follows, but remember, it needs to be tailored to the exact event you are preparing:

• Determine goals and objectives for the event
• Choose a date
• Check out various venues and choose one
• Create a master plan, including cost estimates
• Build an event committee
• Secure sponsors
• Send out invitations requesting an RSVP
• Continue preparing for the event, such as selecting speakers
• Promote the event using various platforms like social media
• Contact caterers and video/audio service providers
• Set up for the event
• Host the event
• Send out thank you notes to those who attended, and ask for feedback

Start Planning Early

It's never too early to start planning for an event. Once it is confirmed the event is going to be hosted, you need to start planning.  The larger the event, the more time it is going to take to properly plan for it. Even small events can take months. Large ones tend to take 12-18 months, with some taking multiple years to plan for. One of the most important parts of planning early is to secure vendor contracts and stay in contact with the vendors to ensure they are up to date with the latest event information. Also, when planning, it's good to look back over your past events and pinpoint the vendors and caterers you were pleased with. You can reach out to these companies again and ask for their services. 

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help

You can never have too many helping for an event. The more people you have to help you, the easier it is to keep everything organised. And while you may find you have to pay some people for their assistance in helping plan the event, such as a professional event planner, you will also find there are plenty of people who are willing to pitch in and volunteer their time to help. You can be the best office manager or assistant, but planning an event requires multiple people, and most importantly, it requires clear communication between everyone involved. Establishing clear lines of communication from the get-go is one of the smartest moves you can make when it comes to event planning. In the least, you will want the following lines of communication to be open between everyone:

• Email
• Phone
• Postal address so mail communication can take place
• Video conferencing

Conclusion

From early planning to using checklists to using Google Calendars, all of the tips mentioned above are great starting points for making sure your next big event is a success. 

For more information on planning your menu for your next office event,   contact the expert chefs at Laissez-faire.

If you are hosting a party, one of the first things you will want to ask yourself is, "should I have a buffet or seated dining at my event?" There are several pros and cons that come along with both types of seating and it will depend on the specifics of your party as to which type will be best suited. For now, let's explore a few tips you can follow to help you pick the best type of seating for your next event. 

Tips for Choosing the Best Dining Option for Your Next Event

There are three main things to keep in mind when choosing between seated and buffet dining. The first is your budget. Seated catering is going to cost more than a buffet event. The second thing you will want to consider is the venue. If you are hosting the event in a venue that is grand, then seated catering is going to be the best choice.

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And lastly, you will want to consider the style of food you want to serve. If you want a large selection of foods and you aren't concerned with upholding a great amount of formality, then a buffet will be best suited to meet your preferences. 

Seated Catering Options

When you take advantage of seated catering, this means a plate will be served to your guests and there will be no need for them to get up and serve themselves. As you can imagine, receiving this type of service can make a person feel very special because they are literally being waited on hand and foot.

Seated catering is especially ideal for weddings and big corporate events and it tends to be paired with extreme decorations and a grand venue. Most people view this type of seating as professional and fancy, making it the go-to choice if this is the atmosphere you are trying to create.

Seated catering can take place in one of two ways. With the first way, your guests get to choose between two or more entree options. If you opt for this way, you'll need your guests to RSVP well in advance with their preferred entree option to ensure the catering service provider has properly prepared the right amount of each dish. If you have multiple guests who fail to RSVP, this can make the actual event quite stressful. 

The other way seated catering can take place is by not giving the guests an option for their entree. You will, however, need to take into account the food preferences of your guests when selecting the entree that you are going to serve. Take for example if you are going to serve steak filet as your entree. Although this is likely to be a big hit, there will be people who show up who either can't eat steak or don't eat it. For these people, you will need to have something else served, such as Tilapia, pork chops or a vegetarian option is always safe.

When compared to a buffet, seated catering comes with fewer options. And because each guest is served individually, the dining part of the event usually takes up more of the reception time when compared to buffet catering. If you have a lot of other events taking place during the reception, like a formal dance or other ceremonial activities, you may want to consider buffet catering as your dining option. 

Buffet Catering Options

Even though buffet catering isn't typically viewed as being quite as fancy as seated catering, it can still be very professional, especially when the food items are sitting on the buffet line on ceramic or glass plates and dishes. It's also with a buffet that you can still have caterers standing by to help your guests fix their plates as they walk through the line.

One of the best aspects of a buffet catered event is that it can be scaled to meet your preferences. Whether you're hosting a wedding or a birthday party, the buffet can be adjusted to meet the event's formality, however, they tend to go best with informal events, like work lunches and product launches. Buffet events have a more casual and laid-back feeling to them and even though caterers are not waiting on guests hand and foot, they can still be used to pick up after the guests, removing their plates once they have finished eating. 

Contact Us Today

Regardless of the seating option you choose, Laissez-faire Catering can do both! Contact us today - talk to us about your event and we can suggest some great menu ideas.

If you've ever hosted a dinner party before, you know firsthand how stressful it can be. And when you throw in the kicker of hosting a vegan party, things can get very complicated very quickly. Fortunately, though, you can use catering services to lessen your stress and to ensure things go as smoothly as possible.

We've thrown together the ultimate go-to guide for top vegan catering ideas. Our guide covers everything from proper preparation to mastering the menu and even a few recipes you'll definitely want to include at your next vegan party. 

It All Starts With Proper Preparation

Whether you have two weeks or two months to plan, proper preparation is key to hosting a successful vegan dinner party. If you procrastinate on planning, it's sure to turn into a complete disaster. Some ingredients may not be available at the time you need them, or you might need to find a speciality store. With this in mind, you need to do your shopping for your vegan dishes well in advance of the actual event. In fact, you'll need at least a good week or two to properly source your ingredients. 

Provide Plenty of Starter Choices

Just because you love guacamole doesn't mean everyone else is going to. This is why you need to be very diverse in the dishes you serve. Fortunately, just because you're hosting a vegan party doesn't mean you are going to be limited in what you can serve. 

You'll want to start the party with plenty of dips, like hummus and salsa to go along with the guacamole and white bean dip. You can also whip up some lentil dip because it tends to a party favorite. If you're going to set out any bread with the dip, you'll want to make sure it has been baked with no eggs. And if you're wanting a crunchy bread, ciabatta tends to be good. Slices of bread like challah and brioche should be avoided; they don't go well with dips. As far as the beverages, you'll want to make sure the wine is chilled and you can even serve up a couple kinds of signature cocktails. 

Do keep in mind that even though it's ideal to provide lots of starter choices, it's best to keep them light. If you offer heavy starter options, you and the guests are going to have a difficult time getting down the main course, much less dessert. It's also important to serve starters that complement the main course, and regardless of what you choose, make sure it's something that cleanses the palette and is easy to digest. 

Make the Main Course the Main Event 

When you invited your guests to a vegan dinner party, their minds probably went rampant thinking about the main course. From bean curries with chutneys to a salad with a side of slow-cooked veggie tagines, they've been wondering for days what you're going to serve; this is why you need to dress your main course up to be the main event. Be bold and try to pick something that you don't think most of your guests have likely tried before. 

If you have a lot of guests who aren't actually vegan, then they'll be begging you for something meaty, and since meat is off the table (pun intended), you'll have to do your best to suit their preferences. You can rest assured there are plenty of ways to delight the taste buds of a regular meat eater, especially when you serve meatless burgers. Even though there is no actual meat to be enjoyed in this tasty burger, it still mimics a regular hamburger almost to a T when it comes to the flavor and texture. You'll even find some meatless burger recipes that actually bleed on the grill while you're cooking them. There are a number of ingredients these burgers can be made from, including eggplant and beets. 

Dessert Is Dessert

You don't have to go wild with the dessert. Hopefully, by the time dessert rolls around, your guests will be plenty full from all the scrumptious starters and the main course. With this in mind, try your best to keep it simple. Fruits are sure to be a big hit after the last few courses, especially if you serve it with red wine. 

The Takeaway

Hosting a vegan dinner party doesn't have to be stressful. And while it can be nice to prepare the dishes yourself, you'll find it is much easier to enjoy the party when you take advantage of catering services. And don't forget to have your guests RSVP with any dietary requirements well before the event so your caterer has time to organise a vegan option.

For more information on planning your vegan menu for your next party or event, contact the expert chefs at Laissez-faire.

Coffee is a favourite way to start the day in many households and is a must with breakfast. However, it can also accent lunch and dinner in artful ways. With so many roasts, varieties and flavours as well as endless espresso drink possibilities, there’s truly something for everyone.  

Don't settle for burnt or boring coffee at your next party or get-together. Try something new! Laissez-faire Catering is here to assist you in selecting the perfect java accents for your catered event. With more than two decades of experience, we’re your premiere source for event catering and corporate catering in Sydney. Whether you are looking to cater a wedding or a business event, we’ll help you to create the perfect setting and menu in a way that’s sustainable and in harmony with the season.

However, you can draw inspiration from a variety of sources in your own event planning and entertaining at home. Whether it's a dinner party with friends or a brunch with the family, coffee service need not be ordinary. Consider these coffee and espresso drink ideas:

A New Take On Coffee For Breakfast

When it's winter in Australia, going for something hot and comforting in the morning can help with easing into the day. However, if you want to add flair, consider making hot cappuccino instead. You might also whip up some flat white (espresso with microfoam – steamed milk with fine, velvety bubbles) for those who want a subtle departure from coffee.

There are plenty of traditional options when it comes to breakfast fare. For something different and perfect with coffee, you might try an innovative gourmet banana bread topped with espresso glaze. See the recipe from How Sweet Eats.

Coffee with Lunch

With one of the farm to table lunches offered by Laissez-faire Catering, coffee is far from an afterthought. You can take the same approach at home by serving a coffee your guests don’t typically drink. Some suggestions include:

Macchiato. This espresso drink includes a small amount of foamed milk.

Ristretto. This drink beverage features a short shot of espresso along with a standard amount of ground coffee; however, it is brewed much stronger with just half the normal amount of water.

Venetian. This is a sweet coffee drink. Consider including amaretto or sambuca if your guests are interested. You can also top a Venetian with whipped cream to make it a decadent dessert drink.

Not sure what to serve for lunch? Keep the coffee theme going with coffee-braised short ribs. Try this succulent recipe from Food Republic.

 The Perfect Dinner Accent

For a departure from what’s expected, you might also give guests the option of Pakistani Coffee with Cinnamon & Cardamom. This recipe from Global Table Adventure shows you exactly how to prepare the perfect cup.

For a cooler and more dessert-like option, consider serving your guests Vietnamese Iced Coffee after dinner. The addition of condensed sweetened milk ensures it’s lush, cold and strong. Guests will love ending their meal with this delicious coffee-based option. It’s also rich enough to serve as a stand-alone dessert option. Get the recipe at The Sugar Hit.

Whether or not you decide to serve coffee with or after dinner, you might also include a coffee themed dessert to follow the meal. One of our old favourites is tiramisu. There are so many ways to make this Italian classic, and you can prepare it a day before and serve up on the night.

As for a main course in keeping with the theme, look for ways to incorporate a coffee-inspired sauce on a main dish or an espresso marinade for meat. Ham or pork loin roast with a coffee glaze will delight their senses, or consider adding a side dish with coffee accents to any entrée.

More than just a way to wake up in the morning, coffee and espresso drinks can be the perfect accent for any meal of the day. At Laissez-faire Catering, we select every element of our menu with care and pride. Count on us for fresh sustainable event catering and corporate catering in Sydney and the surrounding areas.

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As you begin the process of planning your wedding, you have quite a few things to consider with catering options in Sydney. It can be a bit overwhelming, but Laissez-faire Catering is here to support you in this journey. We've been doing this for over 20 years, and know how to cater a wedding without any hangups. We also know that times are changing regarding what people expect at their wedding reception. How you cater your wedding is a personal statement. Laissez-faire can help you create a wedding that does not seem over-indulgent or too expensive all while keeping your event current with the season and sustainable.

In fact, Laissez-faire has their own seal of approval called Foodified™. When you see our Foodified™ Seal of Approval, you can expect fresh, local and seasonal food. At Laissez-faire, we believe that fresh, local, and seasonal food should also be affordable.

Can Your Wedding Budget Support a Farm to Table Theme?

We believe that the answer is, "Of course!" Don't let a wedding caterer ever tell you that you are going to go over your budget if you want a sustainable and seasonal wedding. It's a fallacy that this should cost you more when you have chosen a menu that includes local and seasonal fruits, vegetables, meat and cheeses. These things don't have to be synonymous with expensive. By catering your wedding menu to what is available locally and seasonally, you should have a more affordable wedding budget.

Laissez-faire has found that working with our Foodified™ system, you actually save money on ingredients. Sydney has a wide array of fruits that grow in our climate. If you are having a winter wedding, we would help you choose ingredients that are available locally in Sydney.

For example, winter in Sydney means that you will find citrus fruits widely available maybe even some pears and persimmons. We would choose to work with these items instead of something like apricots, peaches, or melons which tend to be summer fruits. If you have something like apricots on your menu during a winter wedding, they will need to be imported from another region. This makes your menu both more expensive and not sustainable or farm to table. We have found that by going with fresh local ingredients, we are also able to create an ambient menu that naturally compliments the time of the year and the wedding that you have planned at an affordable price.

Sustainable Food Service Means Affordable Food Service

Your caterer should be able to tailor a seasonal wedding menu using local and fresh ingredients and save you money because you aren't trying to buy fruits and other ingredients that are out of season. Wedding trends in Sydney no longer point to over-indulgent and too expensive. We find that more of a minimalist approach is what is popular in today's weddings. Using our locally grown fruits and vegetables, we can create various food stations at your reception that bring simple elegance to your wedding and also make your colors pop even more. Bonus: your wedding pictures will be gorgeous!

Pair Your Farm to Table Menu with a Farm to Table Theme

Farm to table catering brings to mind rustic and artisan decor. Picture stained wood tables and chairs with lots of plants and flowers at every table. Tie these elements together with a pop up bar and rustic lighting. You have now created a very beautiful yet simple aesthetic that won't easily be forgotten. Your wedding guests will love seeing the local faire at your wedding. Expect to have very many instagrammable moments in addition to any planned photography that you may have.

Contact Experts in Farm to Table Wedding Catering

At Laissez-faire, we have worked on creating sustainable and local menus for decades. We can provide several examples of menus that we have done in the past. From there, you can customize your wedding menu to your needs. We have also serviced some of the most memorable venues in Sydney for wedding receptions and can help you plan for an event at one of these spaces. If you have something else in mind, we will be able to provide a menu and ambiance that matches your chosen location. We have over 20 years of experience in making wedding packages customized to fit your needs.

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To learn more about us, please contact us here or give us a call at (02) 9209 4810.

Everyone wants to be remembered for their stellar wedding reception and at Laissez-faire Catering, we agree - and then we set the bar higher than that. The small details really are what makes a wedding reception go from average to extraordinary. With over 20 years providing catering services in Sydney, we know what the current trends are that will make your event stand out and keep your wedding remembered in a timeless manner. Keep reading to find out what we have identified as the key five factors that make a modern wedding reception be remembered for all time.

Multiple Food Stations at Your Reception

Food stations add a whole new element to a wedding reception. The guests don't have to wait to be served at a table. They feel encouraged to get up and move around. You can also avoid the long wait in a line of one station that is basically a buffet style of serving. Food stations offer several visual points throughout the reception area and plenty of opportunity for your guests to mingle with each other. Not to mention that an elegant food station can be the key to starting off a great conversation among the guests.

Food stations offer your guests plenty of options to snack on whatever they feel like, as well as luscious visuals that really make the wedding reception pop with beautiful colors, flavors, and scents. Your guests will feel more like moving around instead of staying seated in one spot all night.

Our chef's team will make sure that your food choices are not only delicious but also look like works of art. Each food station is carefully thought out with everything from the best farm to table options to a beautiful display of seasonal foods to set the mood. Here are a few examples of food stations that we've done in the past.

• Cognac and Chocolate
• Cheese, Meat and Seasonal Fruit
• Carving station of your choice of meats accompanied with Southern sides like a smoky pimento cheese
• Crudites bars
• Charcuteries

There is no limit to our imagination and we are happy to help you create the ideal food stations for your wedding theme. The food station itself can offer some of the most beautiful centerpieces and points of conversation. Your wedding reception can be a place where family and friends make lifetime friendships just by adding a few different food stations!

Click the image below to download information about our Wedding packages (and access all of our other menus!):

Popup Bar

Depending on your theme, this could include a full bar or a simple tea and coffee station. What we really like about the pop up bar station is that it allows you to present your ambiance and theme in a unique way. By adding lighting, plants and simple decor themes, you can tie the whole reception together with your theme at a pop up bar.

Reinvent the Canape Table

A canape table reinvented with garnishes from our talented garde mangers will give you an opportunity to highlight your wine or champagne offering with seasonal fruits and veggies. The really wonderful thing about sticking to seasonal fruits and veggies is not just the ambiance, but it helps you with your wedding budget, too. Technically, this would be another great option for a food station, but it also allows you to gracefully show off new culinary delights in traditional way.

Decor is Everything!

By taking the time to put a little extra flair and drama into things like food stations, pop up bars, and canape tables, you create several focal points that are great opportunities for photos of the wedding guests. You can tie your color themes into the whole area. Your guests will feel like they are all an important part to the wedding party when the decor ties the entire room together with several visual points for them to mingle or be drawn together.

Audio Visual Gear

Audio visual gear is one of the most commonly overlooked elements by the wedding guests, but when you don't have it, everyone will notice. Do you plan on having videos playing, music, people making speeches? You'll need lighting and gear to make sure everyone can hear or see your speaker or videos. Most venues will have this available to your wedding reception, but it is important to make sure that you plan on it. No one wants to have a speech being talked over because some of the wedding guests didn't hear that the speech or the video start playing.

Contact Us for Your Sydney Wedding

Browse our website to see some of the beautiful venues that we service and learn more about our unique approach to your wedding. You can call us at (02) 9209 4810 or contact us on our website.

Seasonal, farm-to-table catering is an exciting new trend in events and cuisine. Rather than serving the same staple foods every catering event, many are instead moving towards serving foods that are made with fresh, local produce. These are items that cannot be found in the area outside of season and aren't shipped in or frozen. Fresher, farm-to-table produce naturally leads to delicious, impressive food. 

The Benefits of Seasonal Catering

• Support your local community. Seasonal catering uses ingredients that come directly from local farmers, suppliers, and vendors, increasing your relationships with the community and helping your local community thrive. The more support these small, local businesses and farms get, the better your community as a whole will fare.

• Give your guests one-of-a-kind dishes. Seasonal catering expertly crafts dishes around what is available in your area. This isn't always predictable; some years some crops fare well while others don't. The side effect is that your guests are treated to fresh, imaginative one-of-a-kind dishes -- meals that they will remember for a long time to come.

• Deliver healthy, nutritious foods. Seasonal catering is delivered directly from the farm to the table, never frozen, not over processed, and not packed full of preservatives. The fresh foods that are made with these seasonal ingredients aren't just going to be tastier, but they're also going to be healthier.

Creating a Seasonal Catering Menu

Your caterer can work directly with you to create a menu that is appealing to you while conforming to the ingredients that are available in your area. Seasonal catering menus are often themed based on the season, designed with a certain aesthetic in mind. These seasonal menus often showcase their best ingredients, letting guests experience them to the fullest. There are very few things that can't be done inside of a seasonal menu: every season brings with it a wide variety of exquisite seasonal produce.

Seasonal catering menus can help you narrow down to specific flavors or themes for your meals, so you don't have to develop an entire menu from scratch. Your catering chefs can focus on the proteins or highlights that you're interested in, seasoning the foods to your preference, and using the herbs and spices that you desire. All of this will be wrapped around fresh, attractive produce.

Flavors By the Season

Spring

Spring brings with it many tropical varieties of fruit: bananas, blood oranges, cherries, and grapefruit. These are perfect for the drink list, in addition to lovely and refreshing fruit salads. In terms of the more savory fare, Spring offers artichokes, asparagus, beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, peas, potatoes, snow peas, and tomatoes. These can be used to create nearly any dish.

Autumn

Autumn is often a time of warm, savory, and spicy dishes. Autumn fruits include custard apples, figs, honeydew, kiwi fruit, peaches, pears, persimmons, plums, and rhubarbs. For the main course, greens include beetroot, brussels sprouts, carrots, eggplants, parsnips, pumpkins, silverbeets, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms. 

Summer

Summer is when you want to keep your flavors light and refreshing. Apricots, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cherries, currants, mulberries, nectarines, and watermelons are all plentiful during this time, and can be mixed into salads and drinks. Summer vegetables include asparagus, leeks, lettuce, squash, and zucchinis, which can be used to create bright, flavorful entrees. 

Winter

Winter is often a time for more hearty foods. Fruits available during the winter include apples, grapefruit, lemons, limes, oranges, pears, persimmons, and rhubarb. For vegetables, your catering will often have available cabbage, carrots, celery, fennel, horseradish, okra, leek, potato, and turnips. These can be used to create thick, hearty fare for your guests. 

Tips for Creating the Best Seasonal Catering Menu

Work closely with your caterer to make sure you're developing the perfect menu. When discussing foods with your caterer, use examples of meals that you've had in the past, and the flavors that you love the most. Let them know that you're interested in a seasonal, farm-to-table menu from the outset, so they know to plan their menu accordingly. Make sure you set the date for your event early on, so you don't need to make any drastic changes to the menu. If your event falls between two seasons, you may find yourself with even more menu options.

Though a seasonal catering menu may sound complex, it's actually a simple way to ensure that you get delicious food in a responsible, sustainable way. By planning out a seasonal catering menu, you give your guests a unique, healthy meal, while also supporting your local farms and businesses. For more information on planning the catering menu for your next event, contact the expert chefs at Laissez-faire.

Although December is still half a year away, if you’re a personal assistant working in any Sydney company or office, your boss may have already asked you to work out plans for the company Christmas Party.

If your boss has asked you to manage the event as early as today, you’re in luck because you have so much time to prepare and iron things out before the event!

One of the most important things that you need to do is find the best venue for your company Christmas party. There are many event venues in Sydney that you could consider. Before you choose a venue, consider the following:

1. Get The Employees’ Feedback

This is one sure way of choosing the right venue for your party. Ask them through email or a poll or survey what kind of venue they’d prefer. Have a few venues in mind and come up with some words to describe each of them and what kind of event would be held there. This will make it easy for employees to say “this one sounds great!”

Ask them about any past venues they’ve been to for work functions that have been a blast. Ask them what they like or dislike about a Christmas party venue. You will get a general idea of how you will plan your Christmas party, how to promote it and get the best venue that people will be excited to arrive at.

2. The Theme and The Venue Should Match

Will you be having a theme at your Christmas party, and will there be a dress code for the venue? Will the venue provide the catering services or will you prefer to choose your own caterer? Will there be enough parking for everyone? If not, is it easy to get to the venue via public transport?

Everything should be ironed out with the venue including the little details just to prevent any misunderstanding before and during the event. Themes are mostly perfect for small parties in small or averaged-sized venues because they add value and excitement, but don’t let this stop you from being creative if the chosen venue is large enough for a grand idea. The important thing here is that everyone should have fun and the event should be one to remember.

3. Budget

The venue will depend on how much budget you will get or what you can ask from your higher ups. Once you have gotten all the feedback of your office mates, and have chosen one top venue, present all the information to your boss and get their approval. A large chunk of the budget will go the venue, food and drinks so have everything presented to get the budget right.

4. Make The Reservations

Once everything has been approved, book your venue and your caterer as early as possible. The earlier the better because you will be able to choose the day and time for the event. Christmas is a busy time, and that’s why we’re giving you all of this info now! Get to it!

Planning everything now means you won’t feel rushed or stressed.

Below are some of our favourite Christmas party venues in Sydney:

State Library of New South Wales

Features the historic Mitchell Building and the modern features of the Macquarie Street building, the State Library of New South Wales can accommodate formal and casual Christmas parties for your company. It can accommodate up to 200 guests in the Dixson room.

The building is situated between the Royal Botanic Gardens and Parliament House on Macquarie Street. The closest train stations are Martin Place and St James. Circular Quay is only a short walk away. The Sydney Explorer bus stops outside the Library on Macquarie Street.

This is a great venue if you want to be in the thick of it in Sydney and treat the employees to a fancy night in the city. It’ll be impossible to forget this venue!

Roundhouse at UNSW

Another fine venue for a Christmas party. The Roundhouse has been a venue of choice for concerts for many years and has now undergone extensive changes to deliver top notch venue services.

If you’re looking for something more casual than the State Library, this might be your venue.

The venue can accommodate up to 2,200 guests with 14 function rooms to choose from. The Roundhouse offers cutting edge audio-visual systems, a modular stage and a flown PA system if you decide to have a live band playing at your party. If you get employee feedback saying live music really makes a corporate event fun, Roundhouse is the one!

Harbour 220

If everyone in the office is sick of being surrounded by office buildings every day, Harbour 220 will provide stunning views of Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House and the Botanical Gardens. It has 3 function rooms that can accommodate up to 150 guests and is available for night events; perfect for a Christmas party night out with cocktails and canapes.

Harbor 220 is located on the 15th floor of the Hudson Building on Macquarie Street. Hire a photographer for the night because you won’t want anyone to forget these views.

The Cell Block at The National Art School

The Cell Block is an old prison block that was renovated into a dramatic theatrical venue, perfect for something different and interesting. The wooden floors and stone walls keeps the simplicity of the space while keeping its history intact, thus making it a unique venue for a Sydney Christmas party.

Make things more modern with a DJ in one corner and serve cocktails and food while dancing and mingling with your office mates and other guests in the middle of the space. Cell Block can house up to 300 guests and is located in Darlinghurst.

For a complete list of popular Laissez Faire partner venues click here.

Want Laissez-faire Catering to take care of your Christmas party? Give us a call and start getting organised today.

Corporate events have always been a part of business. Events build solid relationships between clients and employees. It’s also a time to “roll up the sleeves”, have fun and party the night away. 

There are some parties that you may have attended that really tanked, and you don’t want to have that mistake if you’re organising one. Follow our tips and gone are the days of boring corporate parties!

If you want to truly show your appreciation for your clients, employees and colleagues, you have to make your event as memorable and as fun as possible by having these 3 elements:

1. Delicious and exciting food
2. Top notch service 
3. A fitting venue

 

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 And to spice things up further, add an awesome party theme to make sure your guest will have a great time and not think about work for a few hours. 

Below are some great party theme ideas that you can use in your next corporate event.

1. Masquerade

This is one of the most famous party themes for many parties and corporate events. You can wear your best tuxedo and flowy, fancy dresses for the night while sporting an elegant mask that adds mystery and excitement. Convert the venue into a grand masquerade ball with royal drapes, elegant lighting and classy table arrangements. A masquerade party theme is a fun and classy take on parties, just make sure that it fits the purpose of your event.

2. Whisky and Wood Theme

Whisky, rustic decor and live music = party! Invite live bands to perform at a venue with gorgeous wooden pillars and other rustic decor, provide a good sound system, set ip wooden tables, use wine barrels as chairs, set up a bar with the best drinks and chow you can offer and dance and sing the night away. This is one night to remember!

3. Aviation Theme

“I feel the need… the need for speed!” as Maverick said in the movie “Top Gun”. You can have an aviation theme and dress up as commercial or fighter pilots. Dress up as any character in Top Gun, and experimental pilot, a flight stewardess and party in a hangar-like venue to make it feel more authentic. If there are planes or helicopters parked in the hangar, it’s an added bonus and will make more authentic! If a hangar is not possible, look for a venue that recreates an aviation atmosphere. Cue Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone”.

4. Acrobat Theme

If you want some heart-stopping excitement, you can have an acrobat theme for your next corporate party. Think of Cirque Du Soleil with some aerial hoop performers and acrobats providing a grand show while guest look on with awe at the same time while sipping their favorite cocktail and having some great canapes.

5. Party and DJs

If your next corporate event is more of a social gathering than a formal corporate meeting, have a DJ party theme. Your clients and employees can dance the night away with heart thumping beats provided by your guest DJs. Party lights, party drinks, party food and a party atmosphere will surely be a hit. 

6. Spanish Theme

A Spanish theme is always a relaxing atmosphere centered on good food, sangrias and good bottles of wine. You can ask your caterer to serve some Spanish tapas and other Spanish treats that can entice their taste buds. Complete the atmosphere with some flamenco music and flamenco dancers for entertainment while your guest socialize and enjoy the hot and perfectly cooked paella and tapas. 

7. Barbecue Theme

Who would say no to a barbecue? This is an all-time favorite and will never go out of style. A barbecue theme will remind you of weekends with your family and friends having a barby at your backyard or at the beach. Nothing beats the smell of grilled goodies wafting in the air and  a relaxed atmosphere with cold beers, sodas, juices and cocktails in hand while enjoying some great music in the background. 

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8. Seafood Theme

 

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Just like a barbecue theme, this is one relaxed and fun party to have. You can have it at the beach or a venue overlooking the sea. You can also opt for a river cruise while enjoying the sights and being served with the best seafood dishes and having cold tropical drinks. 

9. Workshop Theme

A tough and brooding atmosphere that offers a rustic and industrial setting is a good corporate theme if your next company event goes in line with this theme. Use dimmed and warm lights to provide a cozy and charming atmosphere.  

These 9 top corporate party themes will be perfect for your next event. Choose the right caterer and party planner to make things as smooth as possible. 

Winter is coming… in Australia that is. What better way to spend it than to have heartwarming comfort food and drinks that you can cook whenever you feel like it or serve to your family and friends for a quick get together.

Below are some of the best winter recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus warm drinks that will taste like a lovely warm hug from a big teddy bear.

The recipes that we have gathered are from different food sites that are known to provide easy to prepare and cook recipes for all. Enjoy!

Winter Breakfast Recipes

Breakfast doesn’t always have to be eggs, bacon, bagels, cereal or coffee. The recipes below are great for waking you up in the cold winter months.

Cheesy Potato Casserole by Culinary Hill

This potluck dish can be prepared in minutes. Potatoes are very versatile and this dish is perfect for breakfast or brunch.

Quiche With Leeks, Thyme and Goat Cheese by Evergreen Kitchen

The recipe name may be a mouthful, but quiche works well with different types of sides. You can have it as a breakfast with juice, coffee, bacon, eggs, potato wedges or salad.

Banana Nut Oatmeal by Girl Gone Gourmet

One of the easiest, most nutritious, tasty and filling breakfast that you can have to power and energize you during the winter months.

Garlicky Oats with Masala Fried Eggs by My Food Story

Another tasty oatmeal breakfast recipe for you. Oatmeal breakfasts don’t have to be boring and with this recipe, it will surely bring oatmeal to a new level. Spices and fried egg, oatmeal. It’s a breakfast of champions.

Easy Spiced Hot Fruit Bake by Cotter Crunch

An energizing fruits bake breakfast that can be served hot or cold. You can so top this spiced fruit bake to your waffles and pancakes.

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls with Salted caramel Glaze by Fit Mitten Kitchen

Nothing beats the smell of a freshly-baked batch of cinnamon rolls wafting in the morning air. This recipe is also made healthier by using whole flour, coconut oil and coconut sugar. And instead of a cream cheese glaze, it’s highlighted by a salted caramel glaze that will add deliciousness to this recipe.

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Winter Lunch Recipes

These recipes can be served during brunch or lunch with friends or to an office lunch potluck. Lunch doesn’t have to be cafeteria fare only or some microwave nuke ‘em grocery bought food. Have some tasty lunch by trying out these recipes.

Italian Meatball Minestrone Soup by The Cozy Apron

Soups and stews are perfect during the cold months. It’s hearty, warm and delicious that can be paired with some crusty garlic bread or creamy mashed potatoes plus red wine to wash it all down.

Mushroom Barley Soup By Alisa Cooks

This is a simple winter comfort food perfect for vegetarians if you use vegetable stock or go for the regular recipe and enjoy eating it on a cold lunch day. It’s a light lunch that can make full for the day and be hungry enough before a hearty dinner at home.

Shrimp Summer Roles with Peanut Hoisin Sauce by Skinny Taste

This Vietnamese-inspired spring roll is light and fresh. If you’ve been gone to many Vietnamese restaurants, you will be familiar with this recipe and can pair with a bowl of pho or the soup recipes mentioned above. The tricky part here is how you wrap everything using the rice paper wrap, but once you get the hang of it, everything will be a breeze.

Creamed Spinach With fried Cheese Curds by Food and Wine

A decadent spinach dish that you can eat as it is or pair it with some meat. The fried cheese curds are the crown of this dish and who doesn’t love cheese curds?

Winter Dinner Recipes

After the day’s activities, either work or at school, it’s always nice to go home and eat a hearty home cooked dinner that will fill you up with happiness and content.

Chicken Marsala by The Food Network

A chicken recipe by celebrity chef Tyler Florence with mushrooms and prosciutto.

Chicken with Brussel Sprouts and Apple Cider Sauce by Food Network

Another simple and delicious roast chicken recipe using chicken breast and with apple cider sauce that will add another level of flavor to the dish.

Asian Marinated Pork Chops by Food Network

A recipe by food presenter Melissa D’Arabian having a different twist to the good ol’ pork chops. Pan roasted chops with orange glaze can be cooked and served in a few minutes.

Braised Short Rib and Sweet Potato Chili by Delish

Nobody can say no to a hot bowl of chili. Instead of using ground beef or pork, tender short ribs will give it body and flavor. You can top it with cheddar cheese, cilantro or sour cream. The sweet potatoes and jalapeno will round up this hearty meal.

Beef Stew with Winter Vegetables by Martha Stewart

A hearty beef stew is a winter food staple and comfort food. This recipe can be prepared during weekend since it takes 4 total hours for it to be perfectly cooked. Still, no can argue and dismiss a good beef stew over the table.

Winter Dessert Recipes

After a hearty and warm dinner, definitely, you still have some space for dessert. We all need it.

Maple-Walnut Apple Cobbler by Midwest Living

Apples, cinnamon, crunchy walnuts and sweet maple syrup. You can also top it with a scoop of ice cream to make it even better. Who could say no to this?

Caramel Pecan Skillet Brownie by Midwest Living

An iron skillet is a versatile cooking appliance. You can fry and bake with it and make a delicious brownie dessert with it. It’s a rich, moist and gooey dessert that everyone will love.

Chocolate and Olive Oil Fig Cakes by the Food Network

Chocolate is love. Period. This chocolate cake can be served in just 45 minutes.

Affogato by the Food Network

This is an Italian classic which can make up awake for longer conversations after dinner. The ice cream and espresso combination will hug your mouth with love and affection.

Chocolate Mason Jars by the Food Network

A recipe by TV food presenter Damaris Phillips and her version of a pot de crème. Who would have thought that you could use mayonnaise in a chocolate dessert, but it works perfectly. Dark chocolate and coffee….nice.

Enjoy and winter months with good food and love for your friends and family. Enjoy and share the recipes.

If you are the assigned event planner in your office, we’ve got some tips to help make conferences and corporate meetings a bit less boring.

Suggest a breakfast meeting or lunch meeting to your boss. If you haven’t tried this before, you might find that getting the office together for some food and coffee during the meeting will lift spirits and make the day go faster.

Catering for Corporate Breakfast Meetings

Morning meetings tend to be more efficient for decision making. The mind and body are fresh so any issues can be handled without too much drag. It’s also easier to schedule time for a meeting in the morning rather than later in the day or after work. Also, most breakfast meetings are done within an hour or two, thus it will not hinder any other schedules during the day.

To ensure everyone stays focused but doesn’t get burnt out, organise a breakfast menu that attendees will look forward to. A breakfast meeting menu may include:

• Eggs benedict with smoked salmon
• Crispy bacon and egg rolls with lettuce, tomato and chilli jam
• Poppy seed bagels with cream cheese
• Honey glazed ham and cheddar buttery croissant
• Corn fritters with crispy bacon
• Omelette of smoked fish, cheddar cheese, chives, Spanish onion, rocket leaves and sourdough toast
• Roasted filled mushroom on wood fired bread, topped with asparagus, poached egg, hollandaise sauce and a confit of heirloom tomatoes
• Plus fresh juices, tea and coffee.

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Take note that not all corporate meetings can happen in the morning. Meetings that are meant to solidify business or working relations or are meant to close deals are best held during lunch time.

Catering for Corporate Lunch Meetings

You might want to consider a lunch meeting for more focused training meetings, company announcements and discussing new business deals.

Below are some lunch catering ideas for your next meeting:

• Sandwich selection with different bread varieties like rye, Turkish roll, white, oatmeal, baguettes
• Seasonal fruit platters
• Juices, organic coffee, hand selected teas and water
• Poached chicken Thai salad, roasted peanuts, vermicelli noodles and nam jim dressing
• Italian grilled sausages and cherry tomatoes
• Pasta salad with fresh ricotta and oregano
• Baby smoked salmon and green shallot frittata with sour cream
• Pumpkin and ricotta mini quiche
• Sesame beef and lemongrass skewers with chili dipping sauce.

Click the image below to download  our working lunch menu:

Hiring a catering service that will take care of the food is one item you can take off your own plate when planning a corporate meeting.

Serve up some great food so staff can focus on building solid working relationships and getting work done.

Fancy dinner parties are quite an experience but they can quickly get too pricey. For your next party, why not plan a cozy and relaxed atmosphere that you can really enjoy with your bosses and co-workers or friends and family without the hassle of preparing a fancy dinner. For a more casual experience that still offers amazing food, why not opt for a food platter event.

Food platters are easy to set up at any venue and the best part is they offer so much variety. Guests will have more time to mingle, it’ll be easy for them to pick up any food they enjoy and the clean-up after the party is a breeze.

 

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One practical advantage of opting for a party platter is offering a bit of everything and not just one big dish. Having a food platter is also a great way for people to talk and bond over delicious food. You can immediately offer some bubbly, sangria jugs, beer and other cocktails that can pair with the different artisanal cheeses, delicious cold cuts, fruits and other mixed plate affairs that you have served.

Depending on the theme of your next corporate event, you can have multiple food platters strategically placed around the venue.

Below are some tips you can consider to have the best food platter for your next corporate or private event.

#1 Quality Is A Must

Your caterer will take care of sourcing the food for your platters. Laissez-faire catering ensures the produce we use is farm fresh, sustainable and in season for the best possible taste. Your guests will appreciate the fresh taste!

 

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#2 Colours Attract

A colourful food platter can entice people to check out what is being served and try every bit of what is on the platter. This goes especially well if there are kids included in the event. Food platters should be a visual and gastronomical treat.

 

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#3 Balance

For a more visual treat, there should be symmetry when serving food platters. For example Groups of three types of cheeses, three types of fruits, three types of meats and so on. Balance is another key to a visual food treat. Also keep the food choices bite-sized. Guests can try a little bit of everything and will not be too full.

 

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#4 Cheese and Meat

Cheese and meat should be the centerpiece of your food platters. Some of our favourite cheeses to serve on a platter include:

• Brie
• Camembert
• Blue cheese
• Goat cheese
• Edam
• Smoked cheese
• Cheddar.

For sliced meats, we recommend:

• Chorizo
• Prosciutto
• Pancetta
• Ham.

If hot food will be served, it’s better to have these served separately from the chilled food items.

 

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Below are some examples of food platters that we can serve at your next corporate or private party:

1. AUSTRALIAN CHEESE PLATTER - Selection of soft and hard cheeses served with quince, fresh & dried fruits, nuts, crispbreads
2. SUSHI PLATE - California rolls, inside out rolls, sashimi salmon, soy, wasabi and pickled ginger
3. SPANISH TASTING PLATE - Chorizo, roasted peppers, garlic mushrooms, polenta chips with sea salt, Jamon, tomato rubbed bruschetta
4. RICE PAPER ROLLS - Selection with nuoc cham dipping sauces
5. MIXED DIPS PLATE - Assorted dips, crisp pita chips and vegetable crudités
6. CHARCUTERIE PLATE - Cured and roasted meats, cornichons, olives, chutneys and focaccia
7. PEKING DUCK - Pancakes, with hoi sin and shallots
8. VEGETARIAN ANTIPASTI - Grilled vegetables, feta, mushrooms, artichokes and crusty baguettes.

For more information on planning your platter menu for your next party or event,   contact the expert chefs at Laissez-faire.

Do something different for Mum this Mother’s Day! If she’s the kind of lady who’d appreciate a nice afternoon tea with family and friends, we’ve got all the tips and tricks you’ll need.

Afternoon tea became a tradition in the early 19th century, but it certainly hasn’t lost its charm as an option for private get togethers for family and friends.

If you have some money to spare, you can book an afternoon tea event at a tea house or a winery in the countryside. Although being served tea like royalty would be a nice treat for Mum, having tea at home or at the park as part of a picnic is also fun (and a bit more casual). You can enjoy the sun and fresh air as you sip some finely brewed tea and snack on some picnic goodies and sweet pastries.

Choose Mum’s Favourite Tea

If you’re not too familiar with different tea varieties, don’t worry! Here’s all you need to know for Mother’s Day:

#1 Earl Grey

The most famous flavored black tea in the market today. It has a citrusy flavour from bergamot oil and its natural sweet essence is good to pair with shortbread cookies, scones and cakes.

#2 Assam Black Tea

It possesses a robust, malty and tannic taste. Some people drink this tea with milk and sugar. A standalone Assam tea is good to pair with savory foods like finger sandwiches and quiche.

#3 Ceylon Black Tea

Ceylon Black Teas are grown in Sri Lanka and these varieties have a rich aroma and taste.

#4 Darjeeling Black Tea

Darjeeling varieties have a floral or fruity flavor. Both flavors work well pastries, fruity desserts and chocolates.

#5 Chamomile

This is an herbal infusion having an apple-like and floral flavor. It naturally caffeine free thus it feels light and smooth to the taste. It goes well with scones and light cakes.

#6 Mint Tea

Mint tea is new school and it’s an acquired taste. Spearmint and peppermint are the two popular varieties. It’s naturally caffeine-free like chamomile and has a mellow and sweet flavor.

#7 Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea is a black blend with Jasmine flowers thus making the tea have a floral and sweet taste. It has a somewhat perfume smell when brewed. Best with shortbreads.

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea Finger Food and Snacks

Of course you can’t eat sweets for the entire afternoon. Start off with some small fingers foods that are easy to prepare before the afternoon tea and easy to transport if you are heading to a park. Here are some ideas:

• Small individual quiches with bacon, chives and cheddar cheese
• Home-made beef sausage roll with tomato chutney
• Roast turkey and cranberry buttery croissant
• Seasonal fruit platters
• Sourdough sandwiches with roasted beef, provolone, pickled pear, avocado, dijon mustard and rocket
• Cinnamon and apple muffins

 

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See our Tea Time Any-time menu and our Lovely Food On the Go menu for more ideas.

If your mum wants more than just an afternoon tea, you can also have a mother’s day picnic in your backyard and keep the festivities going through to a nice home cooked dinner. If it’s a nice day, set up a table or lay down a picnic blanket and arrange all the food you have prepared to celebrate the day.

Once you have the food and drinks prepared you need to have the picnic essentials:

• Plates
• Picnic blanket
• Napkins
• Tea cups
• Silverware

Spend this special day with your mum and other family and friends and make it memorable!

Launching a new product or service is a big deal for many businesses. After so many hours of research and development have been poured into the project, it’s time to deliver it to clients.

A launch party calls for a bit of excitement and high class event planning!This blog post will give you some expectations for your first launch party and answer any of those burning questions about how to throw an exceptional corporate event or product launch.

If you’re in Sydney, Laissez-faire Catering is the best option to help your product launch be everything you want and more.

First Steps to Planning a Corporate Launch Party in Sydney

Planning an event isn’t easy. The first step is knowing what you want to achieve.

To figure that out, ask yourself these questions:

• What is the purpose of the event?
• What does your business expect to happen?
• What’s the point of your event?
• Do you want to create a buzz?
• Do you want to connect with industry influencers?
• Do you want to get new prospects and take care of loyal clients?

Before you have a meeting with your event organiser and your corporate Sydney caterer, you should be clear about why you’re hosting a launch party.

These questions can help you in deciding the theme and the size of your product launch.For example, if your primary goal is to convince experts and industry influencers that your new product is the best, a modern showcase with expertly created canapes and cocktails is a great idea. Think premium venues, lighting themes and excellent wait staff.

Alternatively, if you want to create excitement about something new and your target audience is young, a more casual yet still high class atmosphere might be appropriate. A cool DJ or a live band can provide entertainment, while food stations offer canapes and over the top cocktails.

These are just a couple of examples.

Choose a Memorable Sydney Venue

One of the most important aspects of a successful product launch is the location! Laissez-faire has worked with many corporate clients to find the right Sydney venue to suit the theme, style, budget and the guest demographic of their product launch. Involving your caterer in the search for a venue ensures everything goes smoothly on the event day.

Take note of where your guests work or live and choose a venue that will be easily accessible for the majority. Make sure that there is ample parking space or good access to public transport - let your guests know these details when the time comes to invite them all.

La Porte Space is one of our newest venue spaces and is perfect for product launch events. Find more information here.

La Porte Space

Choosing The Right Caterer Matters

Some corporate catering services in Sydney are doing the “one-size-fits-all” approach to their food and service. This will not make your event stand out. Your new product or service is special and should be celebrated with a menu made just for the event.

Depending on your target audience, theme, budget and venue, there are different types of food serving styles Laissez-faire Catering can offer...

Sit-down Dinner

This is the most formal style and has groups of guests seated at tables assigned to them. Each guest is served three courses or more. A plated dinner will need more staff to prepare, plate and serve the dish.

The good thing about this style is it will give your guests more time to mingle and chat with others at their table. It also produces a very classy atmosphere and will impress stakeholders and other guests.

Buffet Style

If you want to provide a wide variety of food and drinks, then a buffet style is your best bet for your product launch. This is suitable for large parties with 100 and above guests. Plus, the guest will not feel forced to eat something they don’t like because they will have different varieties to choose from.

The service cost is lower and only a few wait staff are needed to serve guests. This style has a more casual feel, but the different types of food on offer will wow guests. Remember to ask us about gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options!

A Standing-Style Party

Similar to a buffet-style serving, high tables may be provided but there will be no seats. If you have 500 young (or young-at-heart) guests or more, this is your party. This type of party will have a livelier feel because your guests can go around looking for different dishes or canapes and can mingle with other guests while eating and checking out your new products.

Cocktails, beers and other types of alcoholic drinks will make this style even livelier. Food stations or food booths can be placed strategically so that all the guests can go around and enjoy while appreciating the launch of your product. This is where a DJ or a live band will come in handy.

Corporate Catering Food Trends

To make your party a truly wonderful experience, you can ask your caterer about the current corporate catering food trends that can be incorporated into your event.

Below are some corporate catering food trends that you will see more of this year:

• Locally-sourced menus will continue to be popular. Some of your guests may be looking for high end locally produced meat and organic vegetables.
• Artisanal breads, cheeses, beers, pickled olives, pickles and wine. This will entice your guests and will surely be talked about alongside your products during the launch party.
• High tech, low glitz decorations.
• There will be fewer sit down, plated dinners. Food stations and hours d’oeuvre are becoming more popular with many product launches paired with artisanal beer, wine and cocktails.
• Smaller servings and bite sized pieces are easier to eat when walking around a product launch event. Make sure your guests have places to put down their glasses or small plates when they are done with them.

What’s Next?

Looking for food inspiration? We have lots of different menus to suit your event. Check out our canapes, drinks, plated, shared and other menus here.

Need some help planning your own launch party in Sydney? Laissez-faire Catering can do all of the above and more. Just ask us.

Liven up your next business function with the inclusion of a theme! When used properly, a theme can breathe life into an event or encourage excitement about an upcoming company do. Encourage engagement and develop your company culture through more detailed, interesting, and compelling events.

The Benefits of Corporate Event Themes

Christmas parties, end of year parties, and milestone celebrations -- all of these can be celebrated though a themed event. Many employees don't find the prospect of an employee event overly alluring; they feel more obligated to attend than excited. Creating a fun theme is a way to draw in employees who would otherwise be disengaged.

Corporate event themes also make it easier for you to plan your event, as it gives you guidance regarding essentials such as catering, decoration, and activities. It may be difficult to figure out how to celebrate a generic "end of year" party, but it's much easier if you're doing a "retro flashback" theme. 

Creating Themes for Sydney Corporate Events

What are the best themes for Sydney corporate events? It all depends on the business and the event that's being celebrated.

• New Year's Events. If you want to go modern, glow stick events are a festive and affordable way to jazz up a traditional New Year's Event. If you'd rather go classic, a "roaring 20's" theme can be a fun way to get everyone involve. Don't forget a costume prize -- and include an exciting way to ring in the New Year.
• Corporate Milestones. Whether you've come in under budget or met revenue goals, celebrating corporate milestones will encourage employees to work harder. Consider something like a "casino night"; keep it fun and light-hearted to truly ensure that the employees have   fun    rather than feeling as though it's like work.
• Holiday Parties. During the holidays, no one wants to go to yet another business Christmas party. Liven it up with a tropical getaway theme, giving employees a new way to celebrate old traditions. 
• Product Launches. When products launch, you want the business to get hyped! Consider dramatic events that relate to the product launched, such as a racetrack theme for a road-worthy product. Don't forget the red carpet!

With a little thought, you can find the perfect theme for nearly every corporate event.

Planning Corporate Events in Sydney

One of the major benefits of establishing a theme is that it makes the entire process of organising and conceptualising the event faster and easier. Once you know the theme of your event, you'll be able to easily figure out:

• Where the event should be held. Outside? Inside? On company campus or a rented venue? A casino night would necessitate something extravagant and sophisticated, while a tropical vacation theme would lend itself better to the outdoors.
• What type of food is being served. Does it require trendy appetisers? Or is it more a company potluck type of event? A roaring 20's event would be best run with some elegant apartifs.
• What decorations are used. What should the colors be? Are there symbols closely related to the theme? With a tropical vacation theme, you already know sand, coconuts, and palm trees may factor in.
• What entertainment should be brought in? Is there a type of music commonly associated with this theme? Are there any specific entertainers? At a casino night you might have poker dealers or other "gambling."
• What should guests wear? Is this type of theme usually formal or informal? A tropical event could be firmly casual, while a casino night might demand formality.

Themes give you a solid jumping off point so you can create a detailed company event plan without having to create everything from whole cloth. For many themes, you may be able to easily find information online.

Example Themes for Corporate  Events

There are no restrictions on the type of theme you can use for your corporate events, provided they're appropriate and professional. Take risks and be bold and you're more likely to create a memorable event.

• James Bond 007 theme. Bring out the inner spy of your employees with a spy-vs-spy theme, including elegant dress, casino inspired decor, and intricate food and drink.
• Las Vegas theme. Go big and bold with a larger than life Vegas theme. Glitter, lights, and all the trappings of Vegas can be incorporated into something like fundraising.
• Winter Wonderland theme. Bring fake snow and mistletoe into the hotter months, such as by celebrating a themed Christmas in July.
• Circus theme. Bring in some clowns, fair food, and a festive, brightly colored decor for this "kids" theme that's equally fun for adults.
• Summer vacation theme. Let employees go casual with a summer vacation while still at work, especially useful to reward employees for a job well done.

Those are just a few corporate events that you may want to consider. There are endless possibilities, depending on the event itself and your company's goals. Through themed events, you'll find it easier to plan ahead and figure out everything from what food you want to serve to where it will be best held.

Need some help planning your next corporate event in Sydney? Let us know!

Did you know corporate events that take advantage of catering are often far more successful than events that don't provide guests with food and beverages? When guests attend an event, they want to know their time and presence is valued, and there is no better way to do this than by offering them a variety of food and drink options. 

When you take advantage of catering services, such as those offered by Laissez-faire,  you'll be able to save time and money by letting the professionals handle the food and beverage aspects of your event. More so, you'll have more time to focus on other pertinent parts of your event, such as seating arrangements and speeches. Laissez-faire offers a versatile menu and always pays special attention to detail, both of which are paramount to making a statement that is sure to impress your guests. 

For now, let's take a quick look at the top 2018 catering trends for corporate events. 

Branding and Catered Food

No matter the type of corporate event being hosted, you will want to choose foods that positively reflect your business or brand. And because of this, you will want to invest in high-quality catering, which can also aid in promoting the values of your company. You’ll be showing guests you truly care about them by satisfying their appetites.

 

Prawn sliders anyone ? #canapes #event #catering #laissez_faire_catering #cocktail

A post shared by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on Oct 20, 2015 at 3:12am PDT

Gluten Free

Events offering gluten-free choices are rising in popularity. Frozen desserts that are gluten-free are a great choice for your event because they are convenient: simply thaw them and put them on a plate. They come in all different flavors and are a unique treat that allows you to cater to guests with varying dietary needs.

 

What's for dinner? #tasting #catering #event #cateringwedding

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Bacon Bacon Bacon!

Even if you choose to lean toward healthy catering for your corporate event, you can still take advantage of an all-time favorite food: bacon. Caterers are adding bacon to the menu in a versatile and creative way to spice up food and beverage offerings. For instance, brussel sprouts and scallops wrapped in bacon will add a small amount of flavor to your dishes and soups, bringing out the taste people love in a healthy dose.

Street Food

Food trucks are becoming a popular option for corporate catering. This type of catering goes beyond burgers and tacos, giving you a wide variety of culinary delights to choose from that are suitable for corporate events. The use of food trucks at events helps to combine convenience and the element of fun all while providing guests with tasty food selections. Even better is that food trucks are a versatile catering option for both outdoor and indoor events.

 

Who said lunch is boring #mexico #lunch #parklunch #picnic #funevents #laissez_faire_catering #cater #eventmanagement #spices #tacos

A post shared by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on Mar 7, 2018 at 3:21am PST

Light Snacks

Corporate events can also take advantage of catering services that serve light snacks, such as vegetables, dips, crackers, and cheese. These are ideal for cocktail parties and networking events. Food stations will help keep your guests fed and happy as they  mingle. If your event has a larger dinner planned, snack stations are the perfect option for satisfying guests before the big dinner is served.

 

Cheese & antipasto bar #laissez_faire_catering #postevent #drinks #cocktails #events #eventplanning #eventprofs #catering

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Upscale Foods

Offering upscale food selections, like shellfish, prime meat cuts, and fresh wines, are great for corporate dinners. Caterers serving these upscale events often keep the menus very flexible, with options such as:

Chicken and Leek Pot Pies
Ocean Salmon Terrine and Apple Martini Recipe

Offering upscale food options is a great way to surprise your guests and do something fancy for them, which as a result,  increases their trust and loyalty to your brand. 

 

Menu tasting #cater #catering #laissez_faire_catering #laissezfaire #events #menu

A post shared by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on Mar 29, 2018 at 1:08pm PDT

Warm and Hearty Foods

Comfort food is always a big hit at corporate events. Opting for catering services that serve ragu sauces and hearty soup dishes is a great way to provide substantial textures and big flavour to the menu. You’ll also want to make sure you choose a catering service that offers healthy food choices, like lightly fried sweet potatoes, zucchini fritters, and other vegetables that are in season.  

 

What's new #springmenu #new #laissez_faire_catering #laissezfaire #catering #events #menu #lamb #australianlamb #victoria #seasonal

A post shared by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on Sep 4, 2017 at 3:58am PDT

Classic foods

Foods like burgers and spaghetti never go out of style; this makes for a safe catering option for your event. With classic foods, you can take your guests back to their childhood and you are sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. Even if you are hosting an upscale corporate event, these food choices will work for any formal experience.

 

Our new pizza menu at YOTS@Australian National Maritime Museum #pompeii #newmenu #catering #view #anmm #museum #venuepartner #cafe #yots

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Cocktail and Food Matching

Another corporate event catering trend that is worth investing in is one that crafts cocktails with the specific flavors and tastes of the food selections being served. Cocktail catering is a great way to reflect a themed event. 

 

RUM & FIGS #laissez_faire_catering #catering #cater #cocktail #cocktails #fig #rum #pink #drinks

A post shared by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on Mar 10, 2018 at 10:23pm PST

The Takeaway

If you would like to learn more about the top catering trends for corporate events, please contact  Laissez-faire today. 

After the proposal and engagement party is done, taking the first steps to planning your wedding can be daunting. The world of weddings seems full of endless possibilities. You have so many ideas for your wedding reception in a beautiful forest, or maybe you’ll have an extraordinary disco, a big white wedding in a giant hall, or a princess wedding with ball gowns and tuxedos. If you’re thinking of adventure, you may wear your wedding jumpsuits and after saying your “I do's”, jump off a plane and parachute to the ground!

These ideas may sound fun and truly unforgettable, but then, you sit down with your bride or groom to be and actually start planning your wedding. All the endless wedding possibilities becomes an endless circle of decision making. Where do you start? How can you afford your wedding? How many guests will you have? What about the food and drinks?

There are many checklists that you can print out to keep up with your wedding preparations. To get you started thinking about the different aspects that make up a wedding, we’ve included the most basic and the most important things that you need to prepare for the big day. Let’s begin.

 

When every detail is perfect #events #cater #catering #laissez_faire_catering #events #perfect

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Set A Budget for Catering, Venue, Decor, Photographers

Setting a budget will get everything rolling. You need to allot your budget for dresses/suits, wedding theme decorations, the wedding and reception venues, food and drinks, flowers, wedding photographers and videographers, entertainment and the audio visual setup.

Make Your Guest List

This is one of the first wedding logistics you should think about after setting the budget. When you know how much money you have to spend, you’ll know roughly how many people you can accommodate for. This may change so don’t make any promises to work acquaintances or distant 3rd cousins who want a wedding invite.

The number of guests will also depend on the season your wedding date falls into and how far guests will have to travel to the wedding venue or reception venue. Once you have a rough number this will give you an idea of how much food and drink needs to be prepared and possible venues that are suitable.

 

Wedding ready #privateparty #privateevents #wedding #laissez_faire_catering #cater #orderin #yes #love

A post shared by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on Nov 17, 2017 at 9:37pm PST

Find your Perfect Sydney Wedding Venue

There are so many wedding venues in Sydney that will fit your budget and still come out as a romantic and memorable place for your wedding and reception party. Some good wedding venues include:

• The Australian National Maritime Museum
• Harbor 220
• Prince Henry Centre
• Barangaroo Reserve
• State Library of New South Wales
• The Island
• Cell Block Theatre
• Wylies baths
• Bangarra
• The University of Sydney
• Roundhouse
• Coogee Surf Club
• Hyde Park Barracks
• The Royal Botanical Gardens
• White Bay Cruise Terminal
• Carriageworks
• The Venue
• Chinese Gardens
• The Freedom Hub
• La Porte Space

Click here to read the full details about these venues.

 

Event preparation #cellblocktheatre #cellblock #events #cater #catering #laissez_faire_catering #laissezfaire #food

A post shared by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on Mar 24, 2018 at 6:00pm PDT

Choosing The Wedding Reception Style - Your Sydney Catering Options

Whether you’re thinking of an elegant or traditional wedding or a small and intimate gathering with your family and friends, there will be a style that fits your taste. Here are some examples our staff have seen first hand:

#1 Plated Dinner

This is a sit-down dinner, which is considered the most traditional and most formal since each guest is individually served a plated meal. Usually three courses are served; the entrée, main and dessert. The caterer will usually give guests a choice of two entrees which are selected beforehand or guests can swap with each other to get the meal they will most enjoy.

With this style, every guest will get their food at the same time and the caterer will know how much food will need to be purchased since the menu is pre-selected. Catering this way can mean that costs are lower as compared to a buffet or family-style meal.

#2 Buffet

Food   buffets are usually set up on long tables and guests can walk along and serve themselves. Servers can also be stationed behind the buffet table to serve the guests. This style is considered one of the most casual styles of meal service, but it’s also efficient.

This style requires fewer servers, thus you may save money on catering staff charges. Buffets are also a cost effective way of providing guests with a variety of food choices and promotes interaction among guests.

#3 Food Stations

This is similar to a buffet but the food is usually spread out across the venue at different stations. One area may be a carving station for meats, one for desserts, a sushi bar, a tapas station and a beverage station. Portions are served in a food station style, meaning they are on the smaller side which usually takes just about three bites to finish.

 

Purrfect Saturday afternoon #Catering #laissez_faire_catering #Food #foodstations #harbour #harbour220

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Just like a buffet, your guests will be pleased with the wide variety of food and drinks being served. Guest won’t have to wait in line since every station is spread all over the reception and people have different tastes. This also promotes a lot of interaction and mingling among the guests.

#4 Family Style Service

Just like a sit down dinner, guests are assigned specific dinner tables and the servers bring large portions of food to the dinner table on serving platters where guests can fill their own plates, just like they would at home.

#5 Cocktail Style

This style features hors d’oeuvres and other bite size offerings served all evening in contrast to a sit down meal. The hors d’oeuvres are usually one or two bite sized portions and can be a combination of hot and cold food options. The bite-sized foods can be served by waiters or they can be at stations for guests to get themselves. This is a good choice for a more casual atmosphere and gives the most opportunity for guests to mingle, meet and talk to each other.

 

C A N A P E S #laissezfairecatering #laissezfaire #laissez_faire_catering #events #catering #cater #party

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Planning the Drinks

Choosing the drinks can also be a daunting task, but you don’t have to worry. Below are some examples of drinks that you can have on your wedding day.

#1 Bubbly

Good ol’ bubbly as a celebratory drink never gets old. You can have a little before your wedding to calm your nerves and celebrate the union by popping up another bottle. Bubblies vary in flavor, so if you can, do some tastings before you decide what bottle to get. Champagne can cost you $12 for a decent bottle and about $60-$250 for the best and top of the line champagnes.

#2 Wines

When choosing wines for your wedding, consider the time of the year and the wedding location. Summer weddings and lunches are best suited for whites, lighter-style reds and rose like pinot noir or cabernet franc. Winter weddings on the other hand are suited for robust merlots and bordeaux. The menu will also play a part in choosing your wine. Your chosen caterer will help you with pairing a great wine.

#3 Beer and Non-alcoholic Drinks

Serving good beer is an easy option and can be great for rain, hail or shine. Also since, you’re a responsible host, there should be also plenty of non-alcoholic drinks like juice, non-alcoholic cocktails, punch, sparkling mineral water and sodas.

 

Ready? #yesplease #eventlife #events #launchparty #laissezfaire #laissez_faire_catering #drinks #veuveclicquot

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Incorporate an Audio-visual System

The size and equipment will depend on how big the venue is. Hotels and other large venues provide their own AV system which is usually included in the package whenever you rent one of their ballroom or event spaces. If not, consider hiring only the essentials. Maybe you want some lights to hit the dancefloor?

Find Wedding Entertainment

You can hire a DJ or a band to provide entertainment for your wedding party. Most live performers will bring their own equipment to the venue. But mostly all the other PA systems like speakers and microphones will be provided by the venue or you can also hire a 3rd party sound system company if the equipment provided by the venue is not adequate.

As always, it’s best to prepare early so that all the details can be ironed out before the event and everything will go according to plan. Good luck.

The end of the financial year is just around the corner and almost every boss and their employees know that it can be a crazy time. It can be really exhausting when everyone focuses on meetings about the annual budget, clearing the company’s tax details, going through performance reviews and preparing for next year’s budget.

Just like any normal person would do, everyone should take a break after accomplishing all the end of financial year tasks. Stop for a second, sit back and take a deep breath and plan a party to celebrate the year that has been. In fact, there are many reasons for you to have a party; it can be winning new clients, beating your annual budget, closing some big deals or adding new and valuable personnel to the team.

If you’re the office manager, office assistant or the event manager assigned to organise the party, you have to make sure you plan a fun event. Focus on building team spirit and congratulating employees for doing a good job. You have to rise above a notoriously boring and unimaginative company party.

Form a group to help you organise the party. You have to provide your “party team” some time away from their normal office tasks and provide all the resources they need in order to plan a top level event. If possible, include people from different departments that already have experience planning company events in the past.

Think about the goal of the party. Yes, the party is about celebrating the end of the financial year, but there should also be a purpose like recognising a team or an individual or celebrating a company milestone. Whatever the goal is, keep it fun!

#1 Working On The Details

Once your goal is established and you have a few people to help you plan the event, you can get started. Start working on the specific details of the event and the areas that needs to be covered. List all of the things that will need to be organised: budget, venue, catering, audio visual and entertainment.

#2 Budget

Receiving and distributing the budget will get things rolling. Set the budget as a starting point of brainstorming ideas for venues, catering, entertainment, awards, decorations and gifts/prizes.

#3 The Venue

Choose a venue that is centrally located and can be easily accessed by everyone. It can be within the company premises (like a large conference or theatre room). If holding the event at the office or in the same building isn’t possible, choose an outside venue in the Sydney CBD or near your office so that everyone can get to the venue easily after work. Also, make sure that the venue is near a public transport so that everyone can go to the venue and get a ride home easily.

The venue you choose will depend on your budget, the number of people attending and the culture of your company. It can be a restaurant, a hotel ballroom, beach, a park, a bar or an entertainment complex. Make sure to ask your other colleagues if they know a great place that you can get for your party.

 

Events at the new Endeavour Pavilion #eventlife #cater #anmmuseum #laissez_faire_catering #whiteunbrella #functionality #catering

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This is a great opportunity to treat the staff to an exclusive night out to a venue they wouldn’t otherwise be able to see. If you’ve got the budget for it, go all out.

#4 Food and Drinks

 

Breakfast? A perfect donut wall for some sweet clients #donuts #donutwall #events #catering #food #laissez_faire_catering #sydneyevents #events #eventspace #eventstyle #eventplanner #evebtdesign #eventadvisers

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Arranging for the food and drinks is one of the most complex parts of the party process. Again, the budget will play a big part in the food and drink choices. The company culture, number of attendees and theme of the event will also affect your decisions about the catering.

The great thing is you’ve got lots of options. Think gourmet food, buffet catering or casual fare like burgers, BBQ, pizza, gourmet donuts, beer or wine. Alternative dishes should be available for people with special dietary requirements. No one should go hungry or thirsty!

Alcohol is a big part of any party, but consider limiting the alcohol especially if the event will be during office hours. If the party is after 5pm, then you can serve the beverages of your choosing. But consider limiting the beverage package to a small selection of beer, wine and some sparkling drinks with non-alcoholic options like water, sodas and juices to keep thing simple. This will keep everything under control without taking the fun out of things.

 

RUM & FIGS #laissez_faire_catering #catering #cater #cocktail #cocktails #fig #rum #pink #drinks

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Set a meeting with your chosen caterer. It can be over the phone or a face to face meeting. A face to face meeting is better because you get to talk to the caterer and understand how they work rather than blindly putting your faith in them. A proposal will be created with the menus and the cost for your initial consultation if it applies.

Catering styles could be any of the following:

• Buffets and food stations - This can be a few gourmet platters or an elegant sit down dinner. It can also be food stations at one of your chosen venues.
• Cocktail party – High quality canapes and gourmet finger food that will have all the guests raving. A premium selection of wine can also be served to show everyone that they are appreciated.
• BBQs and picnic style party – This is one of the most fun styles because everyone can be as casual as possible. The caterer will be on cooking duty with your favorite BBQs fares to be served with ice cold beers, soda and wine.

 

Olive oil poached salmon at tonight’s venue launch #laissez_faire_catering #events #catering #roundhouse #launch #launchparty

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#5 Audio-Visual System

If you’re doing the party within the office premises, you can hire third party AV equipment. The better option is choosing a venue that already has this equipment and can set it up according to your needs and your vision for the event. Design your own lighting scheme and choose the ambient music.

#6 Entertainment

You can hire a DJ or a live band if your budget permits. Music helps any situation and will let staff relax and enjoy the event. Ask around the office for the best local live bands and check their availability. If it gets too tricky to organise a band just go for a DJ or even better, start an office playlist with input from everyone.

When planning an end of financial year party, it’s best to prepare early so that all the details can be ironed out before the event and everything will go according to plan. Let’s party! 

Want Laissez-faire Catering to take care of your EOFY event? Give us a call and start getting organised today.

Deciding upon the best event space or venue is very crucial to your event’s overall success. It may be a corporate party, a wedding, a birthday or an awards night. Whatever the reason, the venue will hold everything in place. Although finding a venue takes time, it doesn’t have to feel like a daunting task.

Let’s say you have already identified the type of event you’re planning and the purpose of the party - now all you need is the venue. There are different factors you need to consider when selecting the right venue for you. Before we discuss some of the best venues and event spaces, let’s go through the factors you’ll need to consider when choosing one.

#1 Know Your Target Audience and Guests

When choosing a venue, knowing who your guests are and how many will be attending the event will give you an idea of the capacity you need. You have to make sure that you know at least an accurate estimate of the number of guests since this will limit your venue options. The venue should also reflect the guests taste and expectations.

#2 Check Your Calendar

Timing is a big factor when choosing your venue. The date of the event will be the next limiting factor. Depending on your event, you may be either flexible with your event date to get the venue you want or you have to be flexible with the venue of your choice in order to get a date that works.

#3 Know Your Venue Budget

With an open-ended budget, you will have hundreds of venue choices, but it is more likely that your budget may be limited. So, you should be aware of your budget limitations beforehand, but you can always plan a great event within a reasonable budget.

#4 Venue Location

After having the number of attendees and the possible dates narrowed down, it’s now time to know the locations of the venues on your list. Other than hotels and event conferences which are very popular, you can further narrow down your options to which venue is the most convenient for your guests or to a location which will increase the RSVP rate.

#5 Venue Space

The venue that you will choose should also have the appropriate space for the type of event you’re planning. Also, does it have a space for a dance floor, does it have their own PA system? What kind of table setup will you require? Does the facility’s condition reflect your standards? Does the venue meet the criteria of the event?

The venue should also have ample parking space (or easy access to public transport), offers good security, possibly offer services like catering, tables, chairs and linen rentals or floral arrangements if needed.

#6 Venue’s Reputation

A venue’s reputation is sometimes the difference between holding a good event and having a truly great event. You can see it by how the venue manages their staff, facilities and their clients. You will feel they care if they treat you like a VIP or the venue is flexible to your requests. Schedule a site visit to actually see the venue and see if it fits your criteria for the overall feel of the event. Ask for a tour around the venue including the entrance, the different spaces available, bathrooms and parking lot.

Examples of Great Sydney Venues

Below are 3 examples of spectacular venues that might be perfect for your event:

Roundhouse at UNSW

The Roundhouse is the venue of choice for the biggest music acts and has evolved into accepting a range of events. The Roundhouse can do concerts, conferences, product launches, dinners, parties and weddings.

The venue has a capacity for 10 to 2,200 guests with a panoramic room that can seat up to 1,000 guests or 500 individuals for a banquet style party.

The venue also provides a cutting edge AV system with a modular stage and PA systems with 50 years of experience in creating a great production. It also offers a 360 degree balcony with 8 flexible breakout rooms with built in AV systems. These spaces can be customised with removable walls, thus you can combine all rooms into one.

The venue is suitable for:

• Company parties
• Business conferences
• Product launches
• Mini concerts
• Formal dinners
• Weddings
• Exhibits.

Menu types can be formal plated, buffets, canapes, cocktails and food stations. Drinks could include bubbly, beer and non-alcoholic drinks since the venue is suited for big parties to small intimate gatherings.

The Freedom Hub

The Freedom Hub is a 100 year old warehouse event space located in the suburb of Waterloo, Sydney. The venue is constructed with high ceilings with black steel beams which are perfect for hanging gardens, festive lights and bright flowers. The cement floor is hand made of hand smashed river pebbles with white wash walls and large windows that add to the beautiful natural lighting.

100% of profits from The Freedom Hub supports victims of modern slavery & human trafficking within Australia. Their slave free supply chain and preferred suppliers ensure that they run ethical events, ethical weddings and your guests will love the feel good factor.

The venue is best for these styles of events:

• Drinks and canapes followed by a speech or presentation
• Dinner events for up to 100 guests
• Breakfast seminars or brunch events
• Cocktail events for up to 150 guests.

La Porte Space

La Porte Space is a multifunctional and unique space that provides luxurious creative spaces for leading industry businesses.

La Porte Space is located within the walls of a restored 1930 heritage building which offers a range of Scandinavian designed studios and concept spaces perfect brand showings, fashion shows, cocktail parties, media dinners and small corporate events. The venue can accommodate up to 400 guests with 5 function spaces.

The venue is best for:

• Formal dinner events
• Art launches with drinks and canapes
• Cocktail events
• Big family dinners
• Reunions with buffet style dinners.

Click here to check out other excellent venues for your next event or party. Enjoy!