With the hectic holiday season all but upon us, it’s easy to stress out when it comes to party planning your own festive soiree. It’s enough of a challenge to manage the RSVP list and home décor whilst ensuring you get all that holiday shopping underway (I mean, really how much spare time do you really have?). So why not skip the panic that inevitably ensues when it comes time to kitchen prep before your guests arrive and hire a local caterer to wow the crowd instead. We’ve rounded out a list of our top five picks to help create a sense of culinary Christmas calm when it comes to entertaining this season.
A Taste To Savour (8265 Oak Street) is a full service catering company that provides food and service for any and all events – be they an intimate dinner party of six, or a full-scale event as large as 400. With a menu that is heavy on healthy, flavourful comfort foods. Expect delectable bites ranging from homemade soups, mini grilled cheese sandwiches, prawn shooters to pastries, fresh tossed salads, flatbreads, curries and plenty more. Your party going guests will love owner Tracy Rowand’s no-fuss take on cuisine that wows the taste buds. Be sure to check out a sampling of their catering options here and get planning.
The Lazy Gourmet (1605 W. 6th Avenue) is a catering and events company with more than 30 years of experience serving the savvy palates of Vancouverites. A menu that is heavy on West Coast cuisine, locally sourced and sustainable products and a full-fledge team of professionals means your event will seem effortlessly perfect. They’ve got a tantalizing and fresh take on holiday-themed canapés and light bites and sweets (check out their Holiday Menu here). If you’re looking for full meal service, that can be arranged too with everything from buffet-style service, to a more formal sit-down arrangement – all customized to suit. On our list of must-order items; espresso rubbed BC Albacore tuna (Oceanwise) served with apple cider cayenne jelly and their banana cream or Maple cream cheese mousse mason jar pies.
Louis Gervais Fine Foods and Catering (850 Harbourside Dr) is located in North Vancouver and offers both casual dine-in eats as well as award-winning catering services that will more than tantalize your taste buds. Whether you are going for casual, passed snacks or looking to wow the crowd with creative and customized menus – Louis Gervais has it all dialed in. 5 Diamond Executive Chef and owner, Louis Gervais brings his culinary expertise to the table with an array of items and options. Whether you’re planning a party for 30 or more, looking to offer guests something fun and interactive via themed tasting tables (go for the ‘Southern Style’ and ‘Wild West Coast’ stations for starters). Consider the details all but done.
Buck Stop (833 Denman) This full service restaurant opened up to great reception in Vancouver’s West End and offers finger-licking culinary amazingness in every bite. Open daily for dinner – until late, they are now ready to woo you right from your own kitchen or party venue, just in time for the festive season. Who says that holiday catering is all about fancy (tiny) finger foods? Buck Stop brings a bit of the sweet, smoky and savoury flavours of summer into your space for the holiday’s with an array of melt in your mouth offerings that aren’t run of the mill. Enjoy noshing on classic pulled pork, ribs, smoked Gouda grilled cheese, hush puppies, buttermilk calamari and fried Cornish game hen – just to name a few. It’ll be like you’ve got a touch of the Deep South here in the Pacific Northwest.
Potluck Catering (30 W. Hastings St) It is the season of giving after all, so why not support a great catering cause that doubles as a non-profit organization helping create jobs for those less fortunate? Since its launch in 2001, Potluck Catering has provided fantastic, sustainable, and wholesome and beautifully presented food for thousands of events around Vancouver. Select from hot and cold items, ethnic bites, assorted platters, salads, wraps and tapas. With everything from curry fritters with mango sauce to savoury polenta, mini sliders to bruschetta on the menu, the options are endless.