Kids can be picky eaters, so you’ll want to avoid serving foods that they won’t enjoy. Fortunately, there are many options that kids love.
Consider serving mini pizzas, grilled cheese sandwiches, or veggie quesadillas. These foods are all easy for kids to eat and can be paired with a variety of dipping sauces.
Classical Today News features how Crateful customizes menus for clients, showcasing the journey from concept to creation. Explore this website for culinary inspiration and insights.
Plan Ahead
Between practices, playdates and after-school activities, kids have a lot on their plates. So when it comes to their special day, you want to make sure that their party is fun and memorable.
Food is one of the best ways to do that. A buffet-style setup is ideal for catering for children. This way, they can choose their own meal and feel included.
For drinks, choose healthy options like fruit-infused water, milk and low-fat yogurt. Also, offer a few treats that will appeal to children. Chocolate-covered strawberries, skewered grapes and banana ghosts are great options.
Make the food part of the party with an assortment of dips for chicken fingers or raw veggies and a create-your-own dessert bar. Theme the food, if desired, with creative names (deviled eggs become dinosaur eggs) or edible centerpieces (a gelatin-filled “fishbowl” for an aquatic theme). Make sure that there are age-appropriate utensils and cups available.
Ask for Information
Children are notorious for putting the kibosh on mealtime. When they don’t like a dish or are picky eaters, parents often bring alternate meals to outings, which can discourage them from trying new foods and singles them out as needing special items (AKA the picky label).
It is important for caterers to ask their guests about allergies, intolerances and dietary requirements before planning menus. This way, they can offer suitable options and make sure that the food is presented in a way that is appealing to kids.
Most catering companies are used to working with special kids’ menus and can provide suggestions for dishes that will please younger diners. Some even have separate buffet stations and “kids’ tables”.
Get Involved
With school, sports and other activities, it’s hard for parents to find time to cook. This is where a little help from Cracker Barrel catering can come in handy. We offer several menu options that will feed up to 10 kids and adults alike – everything from savory Southern Fried Chicken to sweet glazed chicken tenders and meatloaf.
Children are often fussy eaters, so it’s important to cater for their tastes. Offering a variety of finger foods and interactive food stations will make sure everyone at the party has something they’ll enjoy.
Busy kids are thirsty, so providing plenty of ice-cold beverages is also a good idea. Offering drinks like milk, juice and flavored water will be sure to keep kids happy and hydrated throughout the party.
Consider the Theme
Themes are an easy way to pique kids’ interest, and they can also inspire your catering options. Instead of serving large cakes, buffets, or home style sharing platters, try a savoury selection of mini sandwiches with a medley of fillings, vibrant vegetable crudite platters with tasty dips, and succulent chicken or vegetable kebabs.
You can even transform plain sandwiches into playful treats by using cookie cutters to shape them into animals, stars, and other fun designs. Creating food stations that reflect your theme will add to the excitement of the event and encourage children to make healthy choices.
While many parents have the best of intentions by bringing extra meals or snacks for their picky eaters on outings, this strategy discourages kids from expanding their culinary repertoire and stigmatizes them as “picky”. Make it a point to only bring foods that your children will enjoy.