It’s no secret we love food. We love to cook it, eat it, and share it. To celebrate the vast Catering by Michaels repertoire, we want to take an opportunity to share some of those items which have become perennial favorites with clients and the entire Catering by Michaels family alike.
Today, we take a look at the humble and oh-so-delicious Parmesan Artichoke Dip.
Who else is excited to see which food trends kick start the 2020’s?
Foodies are trendsetters, so we know most of our readers are eager to dig in!
The role of the Culinary Analyst at Catering by Michaels serves as the point person in the perfect position to see what our clients prefer at any particular time — with implications for the general population.
Last year (2019) was a big year for special dietary needs. Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free foods were very popular, and we frequently catered to more unique diets such as keto and paleo.
Plant-based meat substitutes are also growing in demand. Nowadays, we always have an option for non-meat eaters which is something our industry didn’t really do 10 to 15 years ago.
As with all the rest of these food trends in 2020, we’re excited to be able to offer many options for all event guests.
Recipes succeed when perfect ingredients meet perfect skill. Meals achieve memorable status when simple ingredients join to become more than the sum of their parts. We love this catering alchemy: when all the elements of preparing a perfect dish, meal, menu, or event come together magically. And we know this alchemy is only possible when all of us subscribe to this same philosophy.
It is because of this mindset that Catering by Michaels has gained the reputation for being one of the very best catering companies in the Chicagoland area.
Catering by Michaels is more than just a collection of talented people. We are a team. We are a family. It’s what we think about every time someone asked the (obvious) question, ”Who is Michael?” The elegant and fulfilling answer is, “We are all Michaels!”
One of our greatest assets is the camaraderie we all share. For us, it’s about so much more than just the food: it’s about the people behind the food and service.
We are fortunate to have a collection of dedicated people who all bring unique—and integral— skills to work everyday. We succeed as a company because we thrive as individuals. Our unity, our desire to work toward the same goals, our mélange of skills, perspectives, and personalities all combine to make Catering by Michaels flourish.
At Catering by Michaels, you can really taste the difference this combination makes. We owe it to all the “Michaels” who care about the quality and care that goes into every menu item and every event booked.
We are proud of who we are—individually and as a whole—and we want to share this pride with you.
When you’re looking for a caterer, it’s best to inquire with multiple parties to determine the best fit for your event. As a standard practice, caterers share proposals with prospective clients that lay out their plan of action for your event, based on your initial consultation with them.
It’s important to know that you shouldn’t take these proposals at face value. Some catering companies work hard to address every detail, down to the number of cocktail napkins on hand. Others bulldoze through the details, which could result in a bit of chaos when necessary items are missing on the day of your event (or a higher budget to compensate!).
Because of this, it’s best to ask all the catering companies you’re considering some questions before signing a contract. The right questions (and catering proposal comparisons) will help you to avoid last-minute emergencies like not having enough food, or not having linen ready on the day of the event.
Here are five important things to look for when comparing catering proposals:
Even when comparing similar menus across multiple catering companies, the execution will undoubtedly be different in terms of ingredients used, serving size, taste, cost, and quality. There are caterers that offer cheap but quality food but compromise when it comes to the serving size and others that compromise size for quality.
When you initial consult with your caterer, be ready and straight up about your event non-negotiables: quality, quantity, or cost—or are you sparing no expense to get the absolute best food?
Some things to consider:
If you aren’t sure about the taste and quality of the caterer’s food and/or beverages, you can ask about tastings, but usually, this is not covered until after the proposal is accepted.
Let’s be real—cost is a big factor in choosing a caterer. Fortunately, there are options for every budget. But here’s where it gets tricky: some include all charges with their final proposal, while some incorporate sneaky hidden charges to make it seem like they are an affordable alternative. Because of this, it’s imperative to be aware of and ask about any possible costs that may be billed to you.
Spring may be in the air, but this week we’re reminiscing about James + Jane’s romantic winter wedding at Ovation. Maybe it was the light snow falling, or the flickering candlelight and perfectly placed succulents + florals that made this wedding one to remember. Either way, it was an absolute pleasure to work with these Chicago natives, and we couldn’t be more grateful to have been a part of their very magical day.
All photography provided by the very talented Jordan Imhoff.
