An office party has its own set of rules. People are usually eating during a workday or right after it, the crowd covers a wide range of tastes, and the food needs to hold up whether it’s served buffet style or passed on a tray. Here are some ideas for planning office party foods that work for the whole team.
What Makes Good Office Party Foods
Easy to eat standing up. Passed hors d’oeuvres and grazing tables let people keep talking without needing a full seat and table setting.
A mix of familiar and interesting. A few crowd-pleasers alongside some New Orleans specialties give everyone something they’ll recognize and something new to try.
Options for different diets. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are easy to build into a corporate menu so no one is left out.
The right amount of food. There’s no minimum headcount requirement, so the menu can be sized to fit a small team meeting or a full company party.
Office Party Food Ideas by Occasion
Morning Meetings and Conferences
Coffee and a light breakfast spread work well for an early meeting, and a grazing table or boxed lunches keep a longer conference moving without a long break.
Office Holiday Parties
Passed hors d’oeuvres and a cocktail or mocktail bar are a good fit for an evening holiday party, especially paired with a few grazing tables so guests can move around the room. For those planning larger celebrations, checking a reception timeline can help with flow.
Happy Hours and Team Celebrations
A more casual gathering, like an office happy hour, is a good place to bring in an oyster bar or a station alongside lighter bites. If you are looking for unique food station ideas, inspiration from social events can easily be adapted for the office.
Popular Office Party Menu Choices
When it comes to office party foods, a few dishes tend to be favorites, including red beans and rice, shrimp etouffee, and hors d’oeuvres like mini crab cakes and pimento cheese canapes. Many of these selections are also popular catering choices for high-end events, ensuring they travel well and hold their temperature.
Tips for Planning Office Party Foods
Ask about dietary needs early. A quick survey of the team ahead of time makes it easier to plan a menu everyone can enjoy.
Consider the time of day. A morning meeting, a lunch event, and an evening party each call for a different style of food and service.
Think about the room. A grazing table or stations work well in an open office space, while passed hors d’oeuvres suit a tighter room.
Pair food with bar catering. If the event allows it, a bar catering package rounds out the menu with drinks or mocktails to match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum headcount for office party catering?
No. Elysian does not have a minimum headcount requirement, so the menu can be built around a small team meeting or a large company event.
Can you accommodate different diets at an office party?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs can be built into a corporate menu.
What are the most popular office party foods?
Red beans and rice, shrimp etouffee, and hors d’oeuvres like mini crab cakes and pimento cheese canapes are popular choices.
Can office parties include bar catering?
Yes, as long as food catering is part of the event. Beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails can all be added to a corporate menu.
Ready to Plan Your Office Party Foods?
From a morning meeting to a full holiday party, Elysian Events Catering’s full-service corporate catering can build a menu that fits the room, the occasion, and the team.
Reach out to Elysian Events Catering today to start planning your office party foods!