You don’t need to host large or major events like weddings or corporate Christmas parties to hire a caterer.

Catering by Michaels accepts bookings for small to medium parties, which can range from 15 to 125 guests. With this number of people, small venues and special requests such as interactive food stations (which won’t work for large crowds because of logistical constraints), can still be accommodated.

In the same way that we cater to large groups, we also do occasionally get bookings for fewer than 15 people.

These small to midsize events are often dinner parties, corporate receptions, or small celebrations. With events of this size, we also get a mix of both family and corporate picnics and cookout requests in the summer.

Deciding on the Catering Delivery Method

Most people don’t know that most professional caterers will offer several ways of having your food delivered, including:

• Pick up: You pick up the food from the caterer’s location. If you live near the caterer, this is a good way to save on delivery fees.
• Drop off: The caterer delivers food to the location in disposable food containers. This is a common catering practice for corporate and social events.
• Full-service: The caterer takes care of everything: from the food, tables, and set-up, to the food serving area. You can even have the food cooked and prepared on-site!

Most people — especially those holding corporate events — go for the full-service option.

Aside from the larger budgets available to them, they understand the benefit of working with a caterer that has been in the business as long as Catering by Michaels has. As a result, they are guaranteed that all-important details will be taken care of and that guests’ comfort and experience aren’t compromised.

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From acclaimed events designer and tastemaker Tom Kehoe comes The Geraghty, a sophisticated and diverse space intent on redefining the standard for custom event venues. Located in the up-and-coming Pilsen neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, it is the perfect place for all your social events.

With his background as an event designer, Kehoe has brought together everything you need to pull off a flawless event. From the size and design of the place, to the smallest decor details, The Geraghty’s purpose is to make events easier to plan and manage. 

Designed by industry visionaries, The Geraghty was built to be fully customizable: the perfect backdrop for event designers to execute any vision. But even if you don’t have an event designer in mind for an event you want to plan, there’s no need to worry.

The Geraghty is owned by a decor company that offers in-house separators and drapes that you can hang from their 22-foot ceilings to change up how different rooms are defined for specific events. The 25,000 square feet of open space can seat 800 guests comfortably and can fit up to 1000 standing guests or more (with the right permits).

Visit The Geraghty on a normal day and you’ll be impressed by the modern industrial feel of the place.

When you walk in, you’ll be greeted with giant chandeliers in mixed metal at the entryway. Walk into the event space itself and you’ll find high-end decor, custom chandeliers, and lounge furniture that you can also use for your event. 

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Delivery? Full-service? What’s the difference and which is right for you?

When we speak with new clients, sometimes they are confused about which option is best…and suits their needs. “Don’t you deliver all your food? Don’t you provide full service to every order?” These are questions we have heard, and we understand the thought process. Yes, we will deliver food for our full-service events to the sight, and, yes, you will receive our exemplary service on delivery orders. Confused? No worries! Read on….

FULL SERVICE

Are you looking for a catering partner who can manage the entire experience at your special event? Whether it’s a wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, milestone birthday party/anniversary, company picnic or holiday party, choosing full service means that you can fully hand your event over to our team. We’ll take care of everything so you don’t have to worry about a thing!

Here are some of the reasons why you may prefer full service to delivery:

Chef-prepared fresh on-site

You read that right! With full service, we bring the kitchen to you! All dishes are fully prepared and cooked on-site using only the freshest, high-quality ingredients. This flexibility in preparation also allows us to customize dishes for those picky eaters or any guests with food allergies.

Fully customized menus

We believe that every event should be unique! That’s why we offer personalized menus which are custom designed to complement the unique style or theme of the event.

Serveware to match your event style

Speaking of customization, with full service we offer a stylish range of china, flatware, glassware and linens to fully enhance the event theme or style.

Professional and helpful staff

Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is available throughout the duration of the event to provide only the finest service and personal attention. From food preparation and serving to the ever so dreaded cleanup, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that all aspects of the event are covered.

Speaking of clean up….

We understand the last thing on your “how-to-have-fun-at-my-event” list would be cleaning up. With full service, we will take care of everything, so you can spend time catching up with friends & family, or dancing the night away!

DELIVERY

If our full service offering is more than you need, worry not! With Catering by Michaels delivery, we bring gourmet catering right to your door! It’s the ideal option for business meetings, casual social gatherings, luncheons, employee appreciation events, and religious celebrations.

Here are some other great reasons why you might choose delivery:

Prepared in our kitchen and delivered to your door

There’s no need to go out of your way for anything. No shopping. No driving all over town for elusive ingredients. No hours spent in the kitchen. We’ll make sure your order is delivered to you, fresh, delicious, and with everything you need.

Easy set-up and beautiful presentation

Our simplified delivery service comes with everything you need for a stress-free experience. From display and serving pieces to utensils, we’ve got you covered!

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In between work, school, and everything else you have going on, it can be difficult to find a chance to gather together everyone you care about. But the holidays offer an opportunity to slow things down and spend time with family and friends.

In a few days is the Fourth of July, where we celebrate our country’s independence. The Fourth of July is always a joyous affair, with many hosts going the extra mile by serving food that relates to the theme. You’ll often see a menu dominated in red, white or blue, as well as dishes served with little flags or cut into stars.

Because the holiday falls right in the middle of summer, many opt to spend the day at the beach, while others prefer the excuse to host an outdoor barbeque.

Whichever way you decide to spend it, hosting a celebration means putting time into preparations. Here are some ways to set up your Fourth of July celebration for success:

How to Prepare for Your Fourth of July Party

Aside from the company, another essential ingredient for a great party is the food.

However, before deciding on the food, you have to decide whether you’re hosting an afternoon party or a dinner party. Another consideration to make is the type of menu. Typically, Fourth of July parties serve barbeque or All-American dishes, but you can certainly opt to deviate from the norm.

Lastly, decide whether you want to prepare the food yourself or have someone else take care of it. Between planning a menu, preparing food, and entertaining guests — the holiday won’t feel like a break if you have to do all the work.

So consider outsourcing the hard work. Catering by Michaels has over 30 years of experience under its belt to ensure that you have everything you need to make your Fourth of July party go off without a hitch!

Perfect Fourth of July Picks from Our Seasonal Menu

For a Fourth of July party, menus are typically made up of picnic fare — think grilled meats, salads, desserts, and fruits. Catering by Michaels offers both delivery and full service menu options. With full setup, you can customize our standard offerings and we’ll take care of all the little details — yes, even cute Fourth of July flags! All you have to do invite your guests, and we’ll take care of the rest (including cleanup).

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You look at the calendar and you see the Big Red Circle around that special day. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime event like a wedding, graduation, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, or Aunt Millie’s 100th birthday celebration. Or it could be that family reunion, holiday gathering, corporate picnic, or your “just-because” party. Whatever the occasion, that Big Red Circle is staring out and making you nervous. The phrase, “everyone re-members the food” keeps echoing in your head so you know you want a professional on your side. Good choice! But where to begin?

Caterer or Restaurant?

Everyone in the Catering by Michaels family loves restaurants. We enjoy eating at them. We enjoy the experience. But we also know restaurants and caterers are very different businesses. At first blush, you may not see how they differ when it comes to feeding your guests. They both have food, after all! But once you take a closer look, you’ll begin to realize caterers and restaurants are not as similar as you might think.

Purpose

The main purpose of a restaurant is for you to go to them. You choose a restaurant, go and sit down, and enjoy your meal. Restaurants work hard to provide an experience based upon their physical location.

With caterers, we bring the experience to you. We know how to transform spaces and optimize service. Whether we provide delivery or full-service, we are devoted to making sure your event is a success no matter where you hold it.

Menus

Restaurants create menus based upon theme, aesthetic, and the decision makers’ preferences. Then, you choose a restaurant based upon their offerings. After all, if you’re hungry for Italian you wouldn’t go to your favorite Thai restaurant.

Caterers work with you to craft highly personalized menus for your events. Our dedicated event producers know how to accommodate your budget, your tastes, and any of your guests’ special needs (vegan/vegetarian, allergies, food intolerances, and so on). In turn, our chefs have extensive experience in creating the food to fulfill your personalized menu.

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