Elysian Events Catering serves the greater New Orleans area — including Old Metairie — and has no minimum headcount requirement, making them a strong choice for small, private dinner parties.
Old Metairie sits just across the parish line from New Orleans, and hosts there have the same access to quality catering as anyone hosting in the city proper. The challenge with a small, private dinner party is finding a caterer who actually wants the job — many companies focus on large events and treat smaller gatherings as an afterthought. Elysian takes a different approach.
Why Small Dinner Parties Deserve Serious Catering
An intimate dinner for 12 or 20 guests is not a lesser event — in many ways, it demands more precision than a large buffet. There is nowhere to hide if the food is off, the timing is wrong, or the presentation is sloppy. Guests notice everything. The caterer you choose for a private dinner party needs to bring the same level of care they would to any other event, regardless of headcount.
One Elysian client, Kymberly G., hired them for a 40th birthday celebration at her home. She described the experience as exceptional — noting that the team worked closely with her to build a custom menu and, in her words, left her kitchen cleaner than it was when they arrived. That kind of attention to a client’s home environment matters at a private event in a way it simply does not at a banquet hall.
Service Styles for a Private Dinner Party
The way food is served shapes the entire feel of an intimate gathering. Elysian offers several service styles that work particularly well for small, private dinners — each with a different tone and level of formality.
| Service Style | Best For | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Plated Dinner | Formal seated dinners, milestone celebrations | Refined, restaurant-quality presentation at the table |
| Family Style | Relaxed gatherings, groups who enjoy sharing | Warm, convivial, encourages conversation |
| Cocktail Style | Pre-dinner receptions, standing gatherings | Casual and social, guests move freely with passed bites |
| Grazing Table | Casual dinners, pre-meal spreads | Approachable and visually impressive, guests serve themselves |
| Stations | Interactive dinners, themed menus | Engaging and flexible, works well for mixed dietary needs |
Custom Menus for an Intimate Setting
One of the advantages of a smaller guest list is that you can afford to be more specific about the menu. Elysian offers customization across all of their packages at no additional cost, and for small private events, that flexibility allows you to build something that genuinely reflects your tastes and the occasion.
Passed hors d’oeuvres are a particularly popular starting point for private dinner parties — they set the tone before guests sit down and give the evening a polished, intentional feel. If you want ideas for how to build that opening course, this guide to building an hors d’oeuvres platter is a useful starting point. For something more interactive before or alongside dinner, grazing table ideas covers how to build a spread that works as both decoration and appetizer.
Off-Premise Catering in Private Homes
Elysian is an off-premise caterer, which means they bring everything to your location — including equipment, staff, and all necessary supplies. If your home does not have a commercial kitchen, they can work around that. This is exactly how private home catering is supposed to work, and Elysian has the experience to handle it cleanly and professionally.
For a broader look at how private event catering works for gatherings of different sizes, this guide to small party catering in New Orleans and the overview of private events catering for large or small gatherings both cover the practical details worth knowing before you plan.
As The New Yorker has explored in their coverage of the catering world, the most demanding catering assignments are often the most intimate ones — where the host’s personal taste is on full display and every detail reflects on them directly. That is the standard Elysian brings to private dinner parties.
To talk through what a private dinner party in Old Metairie could look like with Elysian, send them a note or call (504) 541-0091. They are happy to discuss availability and put together a menu proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Elysian Events Catering serve Old Metairie?
Yes. Elysian is based in New Orleans and caters events throughout the greater New Orleans area, which includes Old Metairie and the surrounding Jefferson Parish communities.
Is there a minimum guest count for a private dinner party with Elysian?
No. Elysian does not set a minimum headcount for private parties. Whether you are hosting 10 guests or 100, availability and event details are the main factors they consider.
Can Elysian cater in my home if I do not have a commercial kitchen?
Yes. As an off-premise caterer, Elysian is set up to work in home environments without requiring a professional kitchen on-site. They bring what they need to execute the event properly.
What service style works best for a small dinner party?
It depends on the tone you want. Plated dinners feel the most formal, family style is warm and relaxed, and cocktail style works well if you want guests to mingle before sitting down. Elysian can help you choose based on your vision for the evening.
Can I get bar service for a small private dinner party?
Yes, as long as you are also ordering food catering. Elysian holds a full liquor license and can provide bar service for private events of any size, provided the venue or property permits it.