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Category: Catering

While 2021 wasn’t as challenging as 2020, most small businesses, especially in our industry, were still facing COVID protocol challenges. Silver Spoon continued offering boxed meals, while finding creative ways to provide safe and healthy catering options. Thankfully business was starting to “get back to normal” as people rescheduled weddings, parties, and events.

We had a lot to write about last year, from tips on Sunday Funday brunch, to tips on holiday, wedding, and corporate catering.

Thank you for reading our blogs and supporting us once again. To recap, here is a quick summary of our most popular blogs from 2021.

5 Tips for Catering Your Sunday Brunch

The start of football season is here again and having your Sunday brunch catered is a great way to start your football “Sunday Funday” off right. Even if you’re not watching the game but you want to get family and friends together to enjoy the fall weather, a catered brunch is the way to go. […]

It’s Not Too Late to Throw a Last-Minute Graduation Party

Whether graduating from Middle School, High School or College, celebrating your child’s graduation is an important and a once in a lifetime experience! Besides a wedding, a graduation may be the second most important party you throw for them. Although some people take weeks to plan a graduation party, if you haven’t planned your party […]

What to Serve at Your Fairfax VA Networking Event

As Covid19 numbers decline many businesses are welcoming their employees back into their offices, as well as planning corporate events. Although the corporate world is not 100% back to normal, many people are eager to get out of their house and back to networking to promote their business or look for partners that can help […]

Planning A Safe Outdoor Corporate Event

Some of the best companies in America have become successful because they have great products, services, and an outstanding corporate culture. Their employees work well together as a team and form a special in-person bond. However, with the Covid-19 pandemic the ability to create and sustain a corporate culture through online meeting and conference calls […]

11 Things to Consider When Hiring a Wedding Caterer

Looking for the right caterer for your wedding? There are few things you want to consider. Aspects like the style and theme of your wedding, different kinds of menus, and the costs associated with each part of your catering should all be top of mind considerations. Your caterer should also be one of the first […]

How to Make Corporate Catering Affordable

Who says business catering has to cost a fortune? The Coronavirus pandemic has puckered up corporate catering budgets harder than a lemon heavy kombucha. The tough economic fallout has not been lost executive catering companies, many of whom are experiencing their own revenue being sliced and diced. Still, employers are dedicated to providing tasty and […]

A family, minority, & woman operated business since 1997, Silver Spoon Caterers serves the social and corporate communities of Northern Virginia and the D.C. metro area with determined care and expertise. From major social functions to fundraising galas; national conventions to intimate gatherings; corporate meetings to community celebrations, Silver Spoon takes pride in executing unique events, giving our clients unbeatable value and lasting memories.

Silver Spoon Caterer’s mission is to build a growth-oriented company focused on positive partnerships with clients, venues, staff, management, owners, vendors, and the community. Our main goal is to succeed as a team-oriented business, producing and serving a high-quality product with a commitment to excellence in service, planning, and quality. We strive to be the “Best Of” in all aspects of our business. Our positive partnerships within the industry have become our proven “recipe” for success. Through continuing efforts, Silver Spoon will become a Green and Organic Caterer.

Category: Catering

A company Christmas party provides your employees with a unique opportunity to get to know each other and your company. This can significantly boost employee morale.

When planning your holiday party, the food is one of the first things you’ll need to consider. Planning menus, shopping for ingredients, preparing food and serving guests takes a lot of time and effort. In fact, it’s often the most stressful part of planning a company party.

The right caterer can make your party a success. Hiring a caterer allows you to focus on other important aspects of your event. This makes it possible to throw a Christmas party that your guests are sure to remember.

The right holiday theme can help take your company party from ordinary to extraordinary. Your guests are sure to appreciate the extra effort you put into planning. The following are our favorite company Christmas party themes.

Masquerade Ball

 Throw a truly magical company party with this fun theme. Encourage your guests to come adorned with their own decorative masks. A masquerade ball theme includes traditional Christmas colors with lots of gold and purple thrown in. This type of party calls for appetizers, hors d’oeuvres and finger foods. We have a number of options for you to choose from on our holiday catering menu.

Santa’s Workshop 

Get your employees into the Christmas spirit with a holiday party that encourages giving. Have your employees and their guests each bring a toy to be donated to a local toy drive. Decorate your venue with red and white, twinkling lights and festive greenery. Offer your guests comforting entrees such as Parmesan crusted chicken or bourbon maple glazed ham.

White Christmas

 Transform your party into a winter wonderland. Decorate with white ornaments, white linens, white tableware and sprigs of flocked greenery. Offer your guests light colored dishes for the best effect. Good choices include cauliflower steaks and a roast turkey feast.

Please keep Coivd Guidlines in mind while hosting your event:

Keep Surfaces Clean & Sanitized

Although cleanliness is important whenever serving food, it’s even more crucial during a pandemic. Event planners could benefit from developing and enforcing procedures aimed at preventing the spread of disease.

• Do Not Allow Guests to Serve Themselves
  When guests serve themselves, they spread germs from one person to the next via serving utensils. Instead of serving guests buffet-style, consider having your event catered and designate one person to serve each guest. Another popular option, you can provide guests with pre-made boxed lunches. These pre-made meals provide guests with the perfect portion while keeping meals separate.
• Encourage Frequent Hand Washing
  Make sure that both guests and staff have easy access to handwashing stations.
• Make Sure Your Staff Wears a Mask
  Although it’s not possible to eat while wearing a mask, event planners should make sure staff wear masks at all other times. .
• Clean & Disinfect Serving and High Touch Areas

Clean and disinfect all high touch areas before, during, and after the event. Make sure to use quality CDC-approved cleaners and disinfectants.

Keep Staff and Guests Informed

Even with the best precautions in place, you can’t make your event truly safe without communicating your plans with your staff and guests. Make sure everyone knows the procedures you’ve put in place before your event. Signs can let guests and staff know how to properly wear PPE and maintain at least six feet of distance between themselves and other guests. Signage can also direct staff and guests to handwashing stations.

Silver Spoon Caterers offers catering services for weddings, parties, corporate events, and more. Our team works hard to ensure the safety and satisfaction of every guest. Please contact us to learn how we can help make your next event a success!

Silver Spoon Catering offers holiday catering services for company parties. Our holiday catering menu features a number of choices including gluten free and vegetarian options. Please contact us for more information about holiday party catering.

Category: Catering

As Covid19 numbers decline many businesses are welcoming their employees back into their offices, as well as planning corporate events. Although the corporate world is not 100% back to normal, many people are eager to get out of their house and back to networking to promote their business or look for partners that can help their business.

Networking with Covid19 adds additional complexities to hosting a networking event. Along with complying with vaccine mandates and whether to require masks, you must plan for how you will handle drink tickets, what kind of food and drinks to serve as well as activities to get people “mingling”.

Attending a networking event can be exciting and stressful all at the same time. Hosting an event is still exciting, but can be a lot more stressful. One of the easiest ways to reduce your stress level is by hiring a full service caterer to handle all of your drink and food preperation, serve guests and handle all the clean up.

When working with a corporate event caterer to plan the menu, do what you can to make the eating easy on your guests. Here are a few food items to avoid serving or consuming at your next networking event. Avoid the embarrassment of broccoli in teeth or bolognaise on sports coats.

Avoid:

• Items that feature heavy, bold sauces like ribs or spaghetti;
• Items such as pastry covered in powdered sugar;
• Items that contain seeds (A poppy kernel isn’t the best accessory.);
• Items that require the use of a fork and knife.

Instead, opt for bite-sized items that can be eaten easily with a toothpick or fingers; serve lighter pasta dishes (Think penne or ziti in an oil-based sauce.); and offer guests the choice of a plate or a bowl. You want your guests to mingle and make connections, to eat and enjoy themselves. The key is convenience. Stage the space with plenty of napkins. And don’t forget about the trash; make sure bins are plentiful.

Planning a networking event that needs catering in Northern VA? Consider the menu options available from Silver Spoon Caterers:

• Coconut shrimp (made with white rum and coconut milk)
• Lump crab empanada (made with puff pastry)
• Mini crab cake (served with a lemon-garlic aioli)
• Signature meatballs (all beef, served with client’s choice of Cran-BBQ, Romesco with Manchego, or Teppanyaki sauce)
• Caribbean chicken skewer (marinated in Caribbean spices with grilled pineapple)
• Asparagus & Phyllo (hand rolled filo with ricotta & Parmesan)
• Garden Mushroom Tart (made with shitake & crimini mushrooms and manchego cheese)
• Mini Zucchini Cakes (served with an herb aioli)
• Fresh Fruit & Cheese Platter (artisan display of seasonal fresh fruits and a variety of international and domestic cheeses with crackers

Our carefully curated menu and well trained staff have what it takes to make a networking event hassle-free. From hairnets to nitrile coated gloves our staff will provide the best hospitality and service for your event.

Category: Catering

The start of football season is here again and having your Sunday brunch catered is a great way to start your football “Sunday Funday” off right. Even if you’re not watching the game but you want to get family and friends together to enjoy the fall weather, a catered brunch is the way to go. In this post, we will cover how catering for brunch can elevate the Sunday experience for you and your guests.

Catering can add an element of entertainment and allow you to enjoy your day with friends and family, rather than having to spend it in the kitchen or a crowded restaurant. It can be as simple or extravagant as you want and there are options that offer something for everyone.

You don’t have to do all of the work yourself or even leave your own house. You can choose from options that come with silverware, plates, and glasses, so all you have to do is show up and eat. Or you can choose a catering option that includes cooks, servers, and bartenders.

Here are 5 tips for catering your Sunday brunch

The Menu

First things first, what are you serving? You want to choose something that fits your style and what you know your guests will enjoy. You want to choose a variety that will satisfy everyone’s taste buds but you don’t want your guests passing up on something because they’re scared it’s going to be too strange for them. If you plan on having a lot of children at your party, you might want to consider opting out of serving anything too exotic and stick with the basics.

The Number of Guests

How many guests are you having for brunch? If it’s a smaller group, you might be able to get away with ordering only enough food for the people who you know will be there. However, if your guest list is larger and includes other people’s friends and family members, you might be expecting guests who weren’t formally invited. It’s best to go with a bigger catering option for that kind of party.

The Time of Day

What time are you having brunch? If it’s in the morning, then you should consider catering breakfast. However, if your party is in the early to midafternoon, you should consider food options that are more meal-time agnostic, meaning they can be enjoyed for breakfast or lunch.

The Time of Year

The time of year can also affect your brunch menu. For outdoor parties held in the fall you should probably go with items that are heartier and can be easily enjoyed outside.

The Location

Lastly, where are you having your brunch? Is it at your house or is it being held in a park outdoors? Will there be power available for cooking on site? All of these factors play heavily into the menu options you should choose and whether you need already prepared food or if you can offer food that is cooked on location.

Book Your Sunday Brunch Catering

Brunch catering is easy and stress-free! It’s the best way to entertain guests for Sunday brunch without having to do all of the dirty work yourself or even having to leave your house. Book your Sunday brunch today with SilverSpoon Catering. We’ll see you there!

Category: Catering

Some of the best companies in America have become successful because they have great products, services, and an outstanding corporate culture. Their employees work well together as a team and form a special in-person bond. However, with the Covid-19 pandemic the ability to create and sustain a corporate culture through online meeting and conference calls has been challenging.

Although people are starting to go back into their offices, many companies are requiring mask wearing and social distancing; not the best way to bring back that bonding corporate culture. However, a great way to get the team together again in a safe way is by having an outdoor corporate event. Whether it’s a meeting, seminar or just a good old fashion cookout for the team.

That being said, outdoor events add a level of uncertainty and risk to the event. You’ll have to account for the type of weather you may experience. You may have to research and accommodate facilities which may not have power. You may have to rent outdoor toilets. There are a lot of things to think about.

Here is a quick three-step checklist to be sure that you’re not missing anything.

Venue

Research your venue to make sure your guests will be comfortable. This might mean visiting the venue ahead of time to scout for potential issues.

Does the area have ample seating? Electrical power? Is it accessible to people with limited mobility? Is it near a parking lot, convenient for setup and teardown? How close are the bathrooms? Is there plenty of shade, or will you have to rent a tent so that people have a place to get out of the sun, or to continue the party if it rains?

Consider a “housekeeping kit” with Lysol and paper towels, broom and dustpan, lots of garbage bags and a spare extension cord or two in case of the unexpected.

Menu

Unless your venue has tables as well as places to sit, you’ll most likely rule out foods that require a fork and a knife. Finger foods and appetizers are easier for people to eat standing up, and you might aim for foods that only require a napkin, not a plate.

You will also want to consider what foods can be easily kept at the proper temperature for long periods of time. Lighter, cooler fare will be better received than heavy, hot dishes, and they’re easier to manage anyway.

If renting toilets for the occasion, consider having a separate wash station with clean water, Purell, and soap.

Entertainment

While many groups can comfortably chat a whole afternoon away, the event will be more memorable if you can organize some entertainment. Whether it’s a few games or a DJ, give some thought to this in the early stages.

If you are allowing children, you might consider hiring childcare to run games and challenges just for the kids while their parents socialize with freedom.

Corporate events provide the perfect opportunity for coworkers to get to know each other outside of the office. These events allow employees to feel like part of a team. This can have a significant impact on morale, work relationships and company loyalty.

Company picnics are an excellent way to make your corporate event fun and memorable for your guests. The following tips can help you throw an unforgettable corporate cookout.

Fantastic Food

Every great corporate event has one thing in common: excellent food. Cookouts always have plenty of options for guests to choose from. Popular dishes include:

• Memphis Style Pulled Pork
• Barbeque Chicken Sandwiches
• Burgers
• Hot Dogs
• Veggie Burgers
• Shrimp “on the barbi”
• Grilled Vegetables
• Salads (leaf, pasta and fruit)

Socially Distanced Corporate Events

Make sure that you have a variety of games and activities set up for everyone to enjoy. Some ideas include:

• Ladder Golf
• Corn Hole
• Croquet
• Badminton
• Kickball
• Potato Sack Races

Your company cookout just isn’t complete without the proper décor. Southern décor is robust and rustic and pays homage to the diverse natural landscapes of the region. Create the perfect look and feel by sticking with this gorgeous tradition. Decorate for your event with checkered tablecloths, Mason jar centerpieces and sunflowers.

Northern Virginia Catering Company

Silver Spoon Caterers provides exceptional food and service to corporate events of all shapes and sizes in Northern Virginia. We offer a variety of menu items to choose from and we are well equipped to handle special dietary requirements. Our experienced team takes care of all the details so that you are able to focus on the important team-building aspects of your event. We coordinate every step, from menu creation to serving. Please contact us for more information about our corporate catering services.

Category: Catering

Whether graduating from Middle School, High School or College, celebrating your child’s graduation is an important and a once in a lifetime experience! Besides a wedding, a graduation may be the second most important party you throw for them.

Although some people take weeks to plan a graduation party, if you haven’t planned your party yet, don’t worry, it’s not too late!  Plenty of people throw graduation parties later in the Summer after vacations, beach week or summer school. To quickly throw a great party while ensuring a hassle-free, fun, and memorable graduation event for your loved ones, here are a few tips to follow.

To start, where are you hosting the party and who are you going to invite? If we’re talking friends and family, make sure your location can accommodate grandma and grampa as well as your child’s friends. Hosting at your or a family members house is usually the most cost effective and easiest option. Just make sure there is a big enough backyard, and enough room indoors for people who want to get out of the heat.

If your house won’t work, consider calling local wineries, parks and event hosting facilities to get rates and available dates.

Once you have determined a location that best meets your guest list and party needs, pick a date. Weekends in the summer usually fill up quick, so if you are leaning toward a Saturday or Sunday, email “save the date” evites immediately.

Next, you have another big decision to make.  Are you able to prepare enough food yourself or will you have a large guest list making it easier and more cost effective to have the event catered? If your guest list isn’t too big and you have some help cooking and setting up the party, cooking at home can save you money. But cooking for a lot of people can be overwhelming and time consuming; taking away your ability to plan a last-minute party.

If you are hosting the party outdoors, be sure to have some fun games your guests can play.  Games like bocce ball, volleyball, corn hole, frisbee, croquet, bounce houses and inflatable slides are some great outdoor activities for all ages.

Finally, try to keep it easy by offering a wonderful but simple variety of foods that cater to most people’s tastes. Be sure to have a couple different meat options as well as vegetarian dishes.  

If you determined that you need to hire a caterer to handle the food, let Silver Spoon help!  As a family, minority, & woman operated business since 1997, Silver Spoon Caterers serves the communities of Northern Virginia and the D.C. metro area with determined care and expertise. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions so that everyone at the event can be satisfied and have fun, for example vegetarian or gluten-free. We offer a variety of appetizers and meals including chicken, fish, seafood, pork and beef dishes, along with great sides such as rice, potatoes, pastas, salads, skewers, Hors D’Oeuvres and desserts. We also have delicious dishes such as Lasagna, baked ziti, peppers, meatloaf, crab cakes and multiple shrimp options.  

It’s not too late to plan your graduation party.  Give us a call to help with all of your catering needs. Our personal delivery area includes Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. within a 30-mile radius of our location. Call our catering experts in Fairfax, Virginia, at (703) 935-4531 for more information about our catering services.

Category: Catering

Looking for the right caterer for your wedding? There are few things you want to consider. Aspects like the style and theme of your wedding, different kinds of menus, and the costs associated with each part of your catering should all be top of mind considerations. Your caterer should also be one of the first service providers you book for your wedding, as many popular caterers are booked up to a year in advance.

As you continue the planning process for your big day, here are 11 things you want to consider when hiring a wedding caterer.

Catering Costs

The factors that make up your catering costs include your guest list, your venue, your food and alcohol services, and staff. For a guest list of 100, you can expect to pay between $8,500 to $10,000 for food, with alcohol costing up to $5,000 for an open bar for 100 guests. This is for a nice, but standard wedding catering package.

When it comes to more luxurious wedding catering, you can expect to pay $20,000 or more for your food. Your catering company will likely provide a full bar service that does not unlimited drinks. This is often a cheaper option as it’s based on consumption, but it can be difficult to accurately estimate how much alcohol your guests will drink.

What is the Theme of Your Wedding?

From large deluxe galas to intimate backyard gatherings, every wedding has a theme, even if it’s subtle. What’s yours? Are you planning something dressy or something casual? For the more refined wedding, you may want to consider beautifully presented and eliquate Hors d’oeuvres and higher end dinner meals. For more intimate and casual gatherings of your closest friends and family coming together to celebrate your big day, a buffet style of delicious comfort food might work better.

Whether you’re hiring a professional catering outfit, or just ordering large portions from your favorite soul food purveyor, the personality and style of your wedding caterer should blend well with your theme.

The Right Menu

There are as many possible menu options as there is catering business and restaurants. Each vendor will offer something slightly different. As you begin your search for your wedding caterer, make sure to schedule tastings of their most popular offerings. Do this before signing a contract.

Your big day is ultimately about you and your partner, so if you find a few dishes that you absolutely love from a particular caterer, then your guests will likely love it as well. Just make sure it matches the theme of your wedding. You don’t want greasy finger foods for your black tie affair, and you don’t need to spend money on luxurious appetizers and entrees for a small get together of your closest loved ones.

You also want to inquire about dietary restrictions such as vegetarian or gluten free. Most caterers offer both of these options, but some charge an extra fee for doing so.

Licensing

This one might seem simple, but it is often overlooked. You want to make sure that the caterer you hire is properly licensed to serve food and alcohol. This is a safety precaution to ensure your guests are served food prepared by caterers that have thoroughly passed health code regulations. When it comes to serving alcohol, you want your caterer to carry liquor liability insurance. This will help protect you if one of your guests gets injured after having too much to drink at your wedding.

Alcohol Services

If your caterer does offer licensed alcohol services, you will want to inquire about how they structure their alcohol prices. Some vendors charge per legal adult guest, while others charge by consumption. Which one is more cost effective will likely depend on your RSVPd guest list. If you are planning on a large amount of alcohol consumption at your wedding, you will want to make sure there are enough bartenders to keep all your guest’s glasses full. Your catering packaging might include a set number of bartenders and there may be an extra charge for bar staff above that number.

The ideal ratio for bar and waitstaff to guest count is four cocktail servers per 100 guests, and one bartender per 50 guests.

Double Booking

Ask your caterer if they double book events on the same day or weekend. Specifically, do they have another event booked for the same day of the wedding. This is by no means a deal breaker as many catering companies employ enough staff to handle multiple events at the same time, but you want to make sure that your event gets the attention it deserves.

Service Packages

Ask potential caterers about the packages they offer. Do they only prepare and deliver the food? Or do they handle everything from set up of tables, bar area, dining ware, and break down at the end of the night? Are staff included? Most caterers offer different service packages that range from food only to fully staffed service, with each package coming at a different price point.

Finalizing Menus

Your caterer will require a date for finalizing your menu so that they can have everything prepared in time. Make sure you have enough time to finalize your decisions by their cut off date. This will require you to have a final head count so you know how much food to order.

Market Price Food

If you plan to serve food that is priced per the market such as seafood, you will want to make sure that a clear cap is placed on these menu items. This cap will limit the amount of market price food your caterer will purchase for your wedding. Without a cap your costs can skyrocket.

Wedding Cakes?

Some caterers create stunning wedding cakes and even include it in their packages. Others don’t do any baking. It might be easier to find a caterer who provides wedding cake services. Just make sure to ask if it’s included in your food price or if it’s an extra charge.

Wedding Catering Contract

The last thing you need to consider is your wedding catering contract. When you are reviewing your contract, first make sure that everything is listed correctly. This includes your name, your venue information, your guest count, your selected menu options, and your caterers licensing information.

Next, you want to make sure that the agreed upon pricing is correct and broken down by cost. The cost should include any potential overtime costs you discuss with your caterer, as well as the cap for any market priced food. It should also include all rental fees if your caterer will be setting up tables and the bar area.

Need The Best Caterer In Northern Virginia?

Need a trusted, reliable, and affordable caterer for your wedding in Northern Virginia? SilverSpoon has you (and your guests) covered. Contact us today to get started towards planning the food and beverage options for your wedding.

Category: Catering

What a crazy and incredibly challenging year this has been.  With COVID changing and impacting all of our lives, many small businesses like ours needed to adapt.  We’ve spent a lot of our time enriching our boxed meals service and finding creative ways to provide safe and healthy catering options to essential workers and people hosting private events. We’re thinking “outside of the box” to provide our “boxed meal service”. 😊

We’ve written about a lot this year; from our safe catering protocols, ideas to help essential workers, to eating healthy and feeding those on dietary restrictions.

To recap, here is a quick summary of our most popular blogs from one of the most challenging years in modern history….The year 2020.

HEALTHY CATERING OPTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR

By the end of January, let’s be honest, nearly everyone has already fallen off the New Year’s resolution wagon. But not you. Not this year. You’re committed to make healthier food choices, and that means catering healthy meals too. As your premier corporate event caterer, we hear it all the time: “It’s so hard to eat healthy when I’m constantly attending banquets, trainings and conferences”. (Fast forward to March 2020 and this has changed to: “constantly joining one Zoom call after another and helping the kids with online learning”.) And the truth is, while it may sometimes be more difficult to do so, it’s not impossible.

Opt for whole-grain (over white) bread, rice, or pasta — that’s a big one. Use low-fat, low-salt, and reduced-sugar alternatives. And three: Serve fresh fruit and vegetables. It’s really that easy. Not convinced? Let’s get specific.

Read the entire article at: https://www.silverspooncaterers.com/healthy-catering-options-fairfax-corporate-event/

ORDER BOXED LUNCHES FOR ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES

Boxed lunches are the perfect grab-n-go way to safely serve our #essentialworkers while limiting contact. Consider sending Silver Spoon boxed lunches to your local first responders, sanitation, food service, or other essential workers to show them you appreciate them!

Choosing the right Catering Company to deliver your employee’s food is very important. There are a lot of things to consider. Not only will SilverSpoon accommodate allergies, but we’ll also ensure the food is prepared and delivered in a safe and sanitary manner.

Visit our box lunch page to see a list of everything we offer and place an order.

Read the entire article at: https://www.silverspooncaterers.com/order-boxed-lunches-for-essential-employees/

LEARNING TO WORK WITH COVID19: WHY CATERING IS A BETTER OPTION THAN RESTAURANT FOOD DELIVERY FOR CORPORATE EVENTS

As we move through Phase 1 and Phase 2 of “reopening”, businesses must ensure their employees have a safe work environment and remain healthy, this includes when your company needs catering services.

Silver Spoon Caterers is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safe preparation of their corporate catering services including offering single boxed meals. We are following all CDC and FDA recommendations regarding cleaning procedures and the safe handling of food. Silver Spoon Caterers ensures all meals are prepared and delivered in a safe and sanitary manner.

Read the entire article at: https://www.silverspooncaterers.com/learning-to-work-with-covid19-why-catering-is-a-better-option-than-restaurant-food-delivery-for-corporate-events/

GLUTEN FREE CATERING 101

Accommodating guests with dietary restrictions can be tricky, but especially when you’re planning to host someone with celiac disease: It’s important to understand that his or her gluten-free diet is more than a lifestyle choice, but a medical necessity. The adequate, safe preparation of a gluten-free meal depends upon more than a few modification to the regular menu; think cross contamination.

Even the slightest bit of gluten from a bowl, a spoon, or cooking oil can cause a person with celiac disease to react. It’s not enough to simply remove the croutons from the salad, but you must make a separate salad entirely, separate entrees and desserts, too. That’s why Silver Spoon Caterers recommends leaving the cooking to the professionals. That is to say, us.

Read the entire article at: https://www.silverspooncaterers.com/gluten-free-catering-tysons-corner/

HOSTING MEETINGS AND EVENTS SAFELY DURING A PANDEMIC

Throughout lockdown, birthdays, weddings, team meetings, and other events had to be put on hold. As states around the country relax stay at home orders and restrictions, Americans everywhere are excited to reconnect and celebrate with friends, family, and co-workers.

While many states now allow meetings and events, certain restrictions still apply. It’s important that event planners learn all they can about state rules and CDC guidelines to ensure everyone stays safe. This is especially true if you plan to serve food. 

Read the entire article at: https://www.silverspooncaterers.com/hosting-meetings-and-events-safely-during-a-pandemic/

Category: Catering

Thanksgiving provides the perfect opportunity to thank staff for their hard work. This is especially true this year, as many employees have had to work through strange and potentially unsafe conditions caused by the global pandemic. For essential workers, staying home simply isn’t an option. Employers should take Thanksgiving as an opportunity to show their staff how much they truly appreciate them.

Providing a holiday meal is an excellent way to thank staff for their hard work and for not taking their vacation the week of Thanksgiving. However, it’s important that employers adhere to safety guidelines and recommendations to prevent the spread of disease.

Corporate Catering During the Pandemic

Most people agree that it’s not a good idea to offer meals buffet-style during the pandemic. Instead, employers should consider offering boxed lunches or other pre-packaged meals to staff. These individually packaged meals allow for adequate social distancing.  This is a great way to say thanks, while keeping everybody safe.

Although employers may want to prepare a holiday feast themselves, this isn’t advised. Catering companies, like Silver Spoon Caterers, understand how to prepare and package food safely and staff members often feel safer eating food prepared by a professional caterer. Fortunately, there are several safe catering options employers can offer during the week of Thanksgiving.

Keeping Everybody Safe

Although events have officially resumed in Virginia, it’s still recommended to keep attendance to a minimum. Employers should only offer meals to employees during their work day. It’s also important to ensure employees have enough space to social distance.

Instead of offering one meal time for every employee, employers might want to offer meals to small groups at different times throughout the day. This helps prevent overcrowding in the break room and ensures everyone gets a chance to enjoy a special meal.

When serving staff, it’s important to keep in mind that different people have different dietary needs and requirements. Many times, vegetarians and individuals with food allergies must miss out because employers don’t provide them with anything safe to eat. It’s important to offer a variety of options including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free choices. This helps ensure everyone leaves work fully satisfied.

Thanksgiving Catering

Silver Spoon Caterers offers several corporate catering options. Employers can choose between breakfast, lunch, dinner, and appetizers. Boxed meal options include breakfast boxed meals, sandwich boxed lunches, individually boxed mixed grill salads, and a variety of entrees. Each single boxed meal is freshly prepared by an experienced chef shortly before delivery. All lunch and entrée boxed meals come with dessert.

An excellent option for Thanksgiving, meetings, or anytime employers want to let their staff know how much they’re appreciated, Silver Spoon Caterers’ Single Boxed Menu features a variety of favorites as well as several vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options.

Silver Spoon Caterers strives to provide exceptional service and high-quality food to individuals and businesses throughout Northern Virginia and the D.C. metro area. Please contact us to learn more about our boxed meals and safe corporate catering options.

Category: Catering

The dog days of summer are upon us and with it comes gatherings and parties (with social distancing of course)! This time of year brings baby showers and weddings, birthday parties and of course summer barbecues. You’re getting excited to show off your brand new patio; to break out your favorite serving dishes; and to throw the affair of the season… when somebody says those two little words: gluten free.

Accommodating guests with dietary restrictions can be tricky, but especially when you’re planning to host someone with celiac disease: It’s important to understand that his or her gluten-free diet is more than a lifestyle choice, but a medical necessity. The adequate, safe preparation of a gluten-free meal depends upon more than a few modification to the regular menu; think cross contamination.

Even the slightest bit of gluten from a bowl, a spoon, or cooking oil can cause a person with celiac disease to react. It’s not enough to simply remove the croutons from the salad, but you must make a separate salad entirely, separate entrees and desserts, too. That’s why Silver Spoon Caterers recommends leaving the cooking to the professionals. That is to say, us.

Silver Spoon Caterers is experienced in catering to the gluten-free crowd; we take pride in developing delicious menus to suit every dietary restriction and delight the palate.

Tasty (& totally gluten-free) menu options from your Fairfax VA party caterer

Appetizers

Hummus — served with fresh cut vegetables

Grilled vegetable tray — eggplant, zucchini, squash, red pepper and red onion marinated and grilled

Beef medallions — shoulder tenderloin sliced and topped with caramelized onion & balsamic reduction, garnished with roasted red pepper

Cocktail Shrimp — served with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce

Antipasto — skewered antipasto, green olive, roasted pepper, artichoke, sliced salami with vegetable crudité and roasted pepper dressing

Entrees

Mesquite roasted turkey breast — with black bean and corn salsa, served with roasted sweet potato spears, grilled mixed vegetables, tomato & cucumber salad

Greek-style chicken kabobs — with bell peppers and onions, accompanied by a Greek salad and tzatziki sauce

Mediterranean chicken — seasoned with fresh herbs, stuffed with roasted red pepper, crumbled feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives and fresh basil; served with a vegetable medley

Mediterranean mixed grill — beef kebabs and chicken souvlaki served with tzatziki sauce and market vegetables, accompanied by hummus

Hungry for a gluten-free catered meal in Fairfax Virginia?

While gluten-free eating continues to grow in popularity (and, for some, necessity) try to remain flexible when planning to serve the rye-averse and carb connoisseurs alike. Call Silver Spoon Caterers with plenty of advance notice, and come to us with some idea of what you’d like to serve; not only will your flexibility and preparedness make our jobs easier, it’s also the best way to ensure everyone leaves the party happy, fed, and healthy.