by BoJames Gascoigne | Feb 16, 2018 | Denver Catering
Great catering is more than just providing great food. In today’s blog, we at Pour la France! Catering would like to discuss this issue and highlight some of the key characteristics of a great catering company.
If you are in the process of planning an event and you are in need of top-notch Denver caterers, look no further than Pour la France! Catering. For over 28 years, we have been serving up superb food and providing above-and-beyond services and hospitality for people all over the Denver area. Whether you need BBQ catering, gourmet catering for a corporate event, or some snacks and hors-d’oeuvres for a social gathering, we’ve got you covered.
Learn more about us, check out our menu, and contact us today for more info or to begin customizing your catering menu. Below are some characteristics of great catering companies.
Exceptional Food
Great food is, of course, the first thing you want to look for in a caterer. Just as good food can elevate an event, bad food can ruin it. Reading reviews and taking note of word-of-mouth recommendations can be a great way to determine who has a reliably good catering menu. If you are looking for Denver caterers who serve up a wide array of delicious dishes, contact us!
Food Safety and Cleanliness
As with all the dining choices you make, cleanliness and proper preparation are essential factors. This is especially true when looking for caterers, who will be handling and serving up large quantities of food to all of your guests. Make sure that your prospective caterers have all the necessary certifications and a reputation for cleanliness. 
Creativity
A unique and delicious catering menu has the power to make your event memorable and unique. However, some caterers do not value creativity. They are happy working within the box. If you are looking for Denver caterers who are always coming up with new seasonal creations and creative dishes, contact us! Let our unique creations help to make your event stand out.
Professionalism
Good catering companies are professional, not just in their ability to prepare food but also in their service and personal treatment. When looking for a catering service, pay attention to everything from correspondence to how they treat you and all of your guests. Additionally, when searching for caterers, pay attention to reputation and make sure your that your chosen caterers have a friendly, sizeable, and reputable staff.
Flexibility
One of the great things about working with expert caterers, like us at Pour la France! Catering, is that you not only get scrumptious food and top-notch services, but you also get a dedicated partner—people who are committed to making your event a success. When you have this sort of arrangement, you can expect them to be able to not only adapt to your event space and individual needs, but you can also expect them to be comfortable adjusting for your budget.
Experience
Chances are the longer the catering company has been in business the smoother the event will go. Catering companies who have been in business for years and years have likely seen about every kind of event, which also means they are accustomed to adapting their services to provide the most impact. At Pour la France! Catering, we are incredibly proud to say that for over 28 years we have been providing the Denver area with sensational catering, and in this time, we have seen nearly every kind of event. Let us leverage our experience and expertise to make your event a success!
Check out our catering menu and contact us today to set up your Denver catering.
by BoJames Gascoigne | Nov 24, 2017 | Denver Catering
’Tis the season—well, it’s not quite the season. But it is the time to start thinking about the season if you are an event planner or the one responsible for coordinating this year’s holiday party. Depending on the size and the stakes, being at the helm of the decision-making process can be hard work. From food to decor to entertainment, planners have to get creative to find personal and new ways to wow their guests. It’s the type of undertaking that can leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed, which is not how you should feel during the holiday season.
As a catering company with over 25 years of experience, we at Pour La France! Catering have done our fair share of holiday catering. From corporate events to private intimate gatherings, we have catered holiday parties that were spectacular and some that were…not so spectacular. In today’s blog, we want to pass on some tips to help ensure that your event is a huge success.
Don’t Procrastinate
Waiting until the last minute to take action almost always makes things more difficult and stressful. This same principle applies to planning an event.The best catering companies, entertainers, and venues are often not available at a moment’s notice. Because of their reputation for delivering excellent services, their calendars often fill up rather quickly. This means that if you want to hire companies with solid reputations to work your events, you can’t procrastinate.
Today’s the day to take the initiative! If you’ve yet to book your Christmas party caterers, this is a good place to start—contact us today to reserve some of the best catering Denver has to offer!
Get Creative
Creativity is the act of making new and original ideas a reality. Simple, right? Well, in theory, but in practice, it can be hard to be creative, especially when looking for new and entertaining event ideas. If you are having trouble coming up with some original holiday event ideas, turn to the Internet. It’s an infinite source of inspiration. There are millions of brilliant, yet simple, ideas that can elevate your event. Also, continue reading, and hopefully, some of our suggestions serve as a source of inspiration.
Include Holiday Games
The great thing about holiday parties is that typically, everyone wants to have fun. A surefire way to get everyone to embrace this urge to have fun is to incorporate some games into your gathering. Below are just a few ideas and activities to help you achieve this.
- Guess the Santa – Simple, fun, and a sure way to get some laughs, this game is an easy way to liven up your event. It works by getting someone at your party to agree to dress up like Santa and then have the other attendees guess who’s playing Santa.
- Ornament Guess – Have your guests guess how many ornaments are on the tree, and then once all estimates are in, you reveal the real number and reward the winner with a prize.
- Christmas Carol Pictionary Relay – This is basically classic Pictionary with a festive twist—teams race to draw popular holiday carols.
When coming up with fun games and activities, the sky’s the limit. Check out this list for more game ideas—like Christmas mad libs, drinking games, or a photo booth with a collection of Christmas props.
If you are currently in the process of planning a Christmas party, keep these suggestions in mind. And if you are need of exceptional catering, contact your go-to Denver catering service. When you hire a dedicated catering company, like Pour La France! Catering, you gain a committed partner who will go above and beyond to make your event a success!
Check back in next week for our Holiday Party Ideas and Tips—Pt. 2!
by BoJames Gascoigne | Nov 17, 2017 | Denver Catering
After a night of celebrating a wedding or some other social gathering, nothing beats feasting on a collection of fun snacks and foods. Not only does this final gesture satisfy your guests’ late-night cravings, but it also has the capability of punctuating your event, creating a lasting impression that will stay with your guests for many years to come.
If you are in the process of planning your upcoming event, and you are trying to come up with some snack ideas for the end of the night, we at Pour La France! Catering would like to help you in this process. As one of the top Denver catering companies, we are passionate about using our expertise and experience to help facilitate a total event success. Contact us for all your catering needs.
Below are some sure ways to cap off your late-night event and send your guests home unhungry and smiling.
Ice Cream Bar
A key part of planning is finding ways to elevate your event, allowing your guests to truly indulge in the special occasion. Very few food items signal this like a buffet-style ice cream bar stocked with loads of options. Offering your guests their favorite ice cream flavors along with endless toppings will allow for them to customize their late-night snack and walk out of the gathering smiling like a child. Reserve your ice cream bar now.
S’mores Bar
Have you ever met someone who didn’t like s’mores? If so, you might want to keep a close eye on that person—they must lie often. Of course, we’re kidding, but the point is: almost everyone likes s’mores. Not only does the preparation of a s’more make you feel giddy like a young camper, but sinking your teeth into a melted marshmallow and your favorite chocolate candy squished between graham crackers is a joyous experience, any time of the day. Learn more here.
French Macarons
Delectable, convenient, and fun, a tray of French macarons can be the perfect addition to a snack station. Though they are not as interactive as an ice cream bar or s’mores bar, they do pair perfectly with some savory treats, like our pear and brie quesadillas. It’s the type of pairing that will allow your guests to jump back and forth between sweet and salty until they have satisfied their post-celebration cravings.
Popcorn Bar
Regardless of whether you bring out the popcorn bar during the last hour of the reception or bag up individual servings for your guests as they exit, popcorn can be an ideal late-night snack. Perfect for the car ride home or to the next party location, we can tailor our popcorn bar to have a variety of sweet and salty options, as well as the possible addition of candy, nuts, and other toppings.
Breakfast and Coffee
If your wedding or event is expected to go into the wee hours of the night, consider giving your guests a head start on the next day by serving up some breakfast. This will be a smash-hit for all the guests who were maybe celebrating a little too hard. From cereal to a full-blown breakfast with bacon, pancakes, and eggs, we can help you send off your guests prepared to face the morning ahead. Have a look at our breakfast catering menu here.
BBQ
Though this is often more of a main course meal, BBQ catering can be a good late-night snack. For example, perhaps you have a wedding reception where the bride and groom are split on the decision to get barbeque. Maybe it’s the groom’s favorite food, but the bride doesn’t think it’s a good idea to have their entire catering menu focus on BBQ. Here is where the late-night snack station comes into play. As your party is winding down, you can bring out some pulled pork sliders or a mini BBQ buffet and wow your guests. Check out our BBQ menu here!
Next time you’re planning a night event, don’t forget to include an end-of-the-night snack option. Regardless of whether you treat your parting guests to a savory bite or a sweet treat, the gesture speaks volume and can be just the thing you need to punctuate the success of your event.
Need help planning your late night snack? Contact the best in Denver catering—Pour La France! Catering.
by BoJames Gascoigne | Nov 10, 2017 | Denver Catering
Whether you are hosting a corporate event, a wedding, or some other social gathering, catering cannot be overlooked. Though you may think that the subject matter and goal of your event is the most important aspect—and many ways it is—bad catering has the ability to tarnish the success of an event and be the strongest feeling that lives on in your guests’ memory. However, by this same token, hiring a good catering company has the ability to take your event to the next level.
In this blog, your go-to Denver catering company would like to share with you some helpful tips to keep in mind when going through the process of booking a catering service for your next event. Following these tips will have your guests talking about your event for years to come.
Hire Professional Catering Company
First and foremost, don’t expect to be able to tackle the job of providing superb catering alone or with the help of amateurs. The world of catering is complex. Everything from how much sauce to use to allotting the appropriate amount of time for preparation can greatly influence the success of your event. Many people assume that because they can cook at home they can also cook for their own events. In most cases, this is not the case. One mistake or omission has the potential to ruin all your efforts. When in need of catering, hire a professional catering service. They have years of experience planning, cooking, presenting, and serving exceptional food.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
Catering companies that have earned a reputation for reliably delivering amazing food are often not available at a moment’s notice. Because of their reputation and excellent service, their calendars fill up quickly. Therefore, don’t wait to find and book a catering company. By avoiding this, you can alleviate a great deal of the stress involved in event planning and you can help properly budget your event.
Share Your Budget Expectations with Your Caterer
From day one, be honest and direct with your caterer. To truly figure out what you can afford and what will work best for your event, you have to have a clear vision. If you don’t have this the moment you contact your catering company, that’s okay. Some of the best caterers will work with you to not only help flesh out your vision—all within your budget—but more importantly, make this vision a reality. On top of this, most providers are more than pleased to work with you to design a menu that meets your budget and accomplishes all your food goals.
Find Out What the Venue Includes
Nowadays, it seems that more and more events are taking place in untraditional venues—barns, fields, and other outdoor areas. Though these spaces have the ability to facilitate a truly unique event, they can also be very limiting, in terms of what you can and can’t do. Before making plans with your catering company, first ask your venue relevant questions: is there a kitchen for caterers to work out of? What does this kitchen include? How many tables can the space hold? What happens if it rains? Will there be other events before or after? These are the type of questions that can save you money, help better prepare, and ultimately improve catering and the event as a whole.
Have an A and B-List
The number of attendants is to never be overlooked. All of your event costs will be closely linked to this number and, therefore, your budget. If you are in a situation where you only have a budget for 100 guests, but you have 200 people on your list, begin by creating an A and B list—A-list being those that have to be there and B being the people you would like to attend if space wasn’t limited. Once you have created this split list, then you can send out RSVP invitations to the A-list, and each time you get a “no” you can move a person from the B-list over to A and send out an invitation.
Next time you’re planning an event, keep these suggestions in mind. And if you are looking for some of the finest Denver catering available, don’t hesitate to contact Pour La France! Catering. With an expansive menu that includes everything from hors-d’oeuvres to BBQ catering to gourmet dinner buffets. Contact us today to begin customizing your menu!
by BoJames Gascoigne | Nov 3, 2017 | Denver Catering
Thanksgiving is all about family, expressing gratitude, relaxing, and, of course, the food. However, preparing a Thanksgiving feast can be a challenge. And if you are the one responsible for doing all the prep work, it is the type of time-consuming challenge that has the potential to thoroughly stress you out and leave you secretly disliking the holiday.
It is no wonder that because of this, more and more people are opting for the stress-free Thanksgiving option—catering in. Though some people are likely saying, “it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving if I didn’t spend all day slaving away in the kitchen,” others may be wanting to know more about this option—specifically, who typically gets their Turkey Day meal catered?
In today’s blog, we at Pour La France! Catering would like to direct our focus toward answering this question. As one of the top Denver catering services, we take pride in our menu and offering exceptional services for any corporate or social event—Thanksgiving included. Read on to learn more about Thanksgiving catering.
Office Party
If you work in an office, chances are you celebrate most of the major holidays with a little gathering that typically includes food. While having a potluck style dinner can be good, it requires a lot from the employees, and it doesn’t ensure that all the components of the meal are excellent—not just a few pies and one of your coworker’s casseroles. Hiring a catering company to supply the food for the party can ensure an amazing, freshly cooked dinner (no store-bought dishes) that’s sure to make employees feel valued and respected.
Multiple Thanksgivings
One common reason people give for catering in is that they have a large family, multiple dinners and are simply too exhausted to prepare a feast for each one of them. In this situation, families will often choose to hire a catering service to deliver a hot and delicious meal to their home for one of their dinners.
Too Overwhelmed
Perhaps you love the preparation of the turkey. You enjoy making the brine, preparing it, cooking, basting it regularly, and watching it slowly approach perfection. But you don’t have the time or energy to make all of the sides, appetizers, and desserts. Hiring a catering company to complement your turkey may be the perfect option for you.
The centerpiece of Thanksgiving is the food. But when preparing the centerpiece becomes such a task that you cannot fully enjoy the holiday, it’s time to consider your options. Caterers can freshly prepare the meal, make sure that it arrives at the venue well before the event, meet all your dietary needs, pick delicious recipes, and above all else cut out the hassle and headache of preparing a gourmet meal.
Do keep in mind that many catering services—Pour La France! Catering included—requires advanced orders, and if you are considering this as an option for the holidays, now is the time to book your event. Our Thanksgiving menu includes all the traditional menu items—turkey, mashed potatoes, beans, and stuffing—as well as dishes like pear and cranberry stuffed pork roulade and autumn harvest squash ravioli. See more holiday menu options here. And contact us today to ensure a scrumptious feast for your Denver Turkey Day celebration!
