Corporate Holiday Party Dilemmas: Common Catering Issues and Quick Fixes

The holiday season is prime time for corporate events—big, bold, and full of festive cheer. But, as we all know, even the best-laid event plans can encounter a few bumps along the way. Here’s a tongue-in-cheek guide to some classic corporate event dilemmas and how to stay cool (and keep your clients smiling) when things get a little too merry.

1. The Great Holiday Menu Debate

• Scenario: You’ve got a room full of professionals with dietary needs as diverse as their LinkedIn profiles. The vegan option looks suspiciously non-vegan, and the caramilk eggnog has mysteriously vanished.
• Solution: Work with a caterer who knows how to deliver a menu that covers all the bases. At Art Kitchen, we’re pros at serving delicious options that satisfy every dietary acronym—GF, DF, VEG, HALAL you name it. 

2. Seating Shuffle

• Scenario: The “Marketing Elves” table is crowded while the “Finance Wizards” sit six feet apart, making awkward small talk over cranberry sauce.
• Solution: Skip the stress and assign seating ahead of time. Or, make it casual and let people mingle around the food stations! Festive food and a drink in hand can make any conversation a little easier. Plus, we handle the setup so you don’t have to worry about last-minute rearranging.

3. Timing Tinsel

• Scenario: Speeches ran late, and now everyone’s gathered around waiting for their Christmas lunch while someone fiddles with a dead microphone.
• Solution: Have a structured (yet flexible) timeline with buffer time for any hiccups. Our catering team can help coordinate food service to keep things on track—after all, nothing says “season’s greetings” quite like a seamless schedule and full plates!

4. The Beverage Blunder

• Scenario: The spiked punch is a little too popular, and the caramilk eggnog is gone before anyone’s even got a second helping. Meanwhile, the coffee urn is mysteriously empty.
• Solution: Stock up on crowd favourites and plan for refills. We make sure your drinks are served just right and keep an eye on the supply, so everyone has their fill of holiday cheer (without the “bah, humbug!”).

5. Unexpected Guest Appearances

• Scenario: That’s not Santa; it’s an uninvited plus-one from the sales team, making a beeline for the dessert table.
• Solution: Always have a little extra on hand and keep an easy-going attitude. It’s Christmas, after all! With our catering team managing the buffet, no one will notice a few extra treats going out, and everyone leaves feeling merry and bright.

6. The End-of-Year Exhaustion

• Scenario: The event is winding down, but the thought of cleanup has everyone looking for the nearest exit.
• Solution: Let us handle it! From setup to tear-down, our team will leave your venue spotless and your clients happy. You just sit back and enjoy the kudos for hosting a flawless festive bash.

7. Decoration Dilemmas

• Scenario: The wreaths are wilting, and the fairy lights keep flickering like they’re stuck in disco mode.
• Solution: Coordinate your décor with the venue and caterer to ensure it all looks fabulous (and functional) from start to finish. We know all the tips to keep your tables and serving stations looking as fresh as the holiday spirit.

8. Music Malfunctions

• Scenario: The holiday playlist keeps cycling back to “Jingle Bells” every third song. The result? Guests looking for earplugs faster than you can say “Silent Night.”
• Solution: Curate a playlist ahead of time, and have backup options if the holiday tunes become too merry. A background vibe is key, and we can help coordinate a playlist that keeps everyone in high spirits.

The Holiday Wrap-Up

Hosting a corporate holiday party is no small feat, but with a reliable catering team on your side, you’ll handle every hiccup with grace (and maybe a side of holiday cookies). At Art Kitchen, we’re here to make your event go off without a hitch—so you can sit back, relax, and look like a holiday hero. Get in touch with us today.