Congratulations to our 2017 graduating class! It’s time to celebrate the achievements of your high school or college graduate with a memorable party for their closest friends and family. Make this day extra special and stress-free with graduation party food catered straight to your home or another location.

Read on for everything you need to throw the perfect grad party, with a focus on the food of course.

Throw a Backyard BBQ Party

Choose from a selection of traditional and unique BBQ packages. Or, hand select à la carte items and mouthwatering desserts from our new summer delivery menu. An outdoor party is simple and fun, especially when the weather is nice.

Entrees

• Pulled BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
• Orange Herb Grilled Salmon (gluten-free)
• Taco Bar*

*Let guests make their own tacos with our Miniature Tinga De Pollo Taco Bar. The taco bar includes shredded chicken that has been slow cooked, plus queso fresca, and additional toppings.

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Feel like you’re scrambling to plan a Mother’s Day that’s special and memorable for all? Don’t stress, we have just the answer. This Mother’s Day, skip going out for an overpriced meal on this busy day, and instead host a fabulous champagne brunch at home, the park, or another special location. Here’s everything you’ll need to impress mom and your guests.

Mother’s Day: The Food

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We love catering Jewish holidays and celebrations, like Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur.

This year, Passover begins on Tuesday, April 11th. The eight-day festival is a commemoration of the Jewish people’s freedom from slavery in Egypt. Food is especially important in the observance of this holiday. When the Jewish people left Egypt, they didn’t have time to wait for their bread to rise, so they ate unleavened bread. That is why matzo is eaten during Passover.

Catering by Michaels’ Passover menu includes unique takes on traditional matzah such as Apple Matzo Kugel, Matzo Crusted Mozzarella Sticks, and Honey Pecan Matzo-crusted Chicken. Of course, everyone’s favorite Matzo Ball Soup is also available.

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What better time than the week of St. Patrick’s Day to talk about a green event I love?

For some, this year’s Spring Columbia College Chicago (CCC) Open House is just another event on campus. But for Catering by Michaels, it represents a real sense of nostalgia for our company’s sustainability mission. 

Let’s back up a bit…

Columbia College Chicago hosts an open house for both undergraduate and graduate admissions twice a year. It’s the largest admissions event on campus, with anywhere between 5,000 and 7,000 guests on campus each semester. Our team has been honored to have a consistent role in these events, catering every Open House since 2011. Here’s a little known fact: It’s actually our partnership with Columbia College Chicago that kickstarted our commitment to sustainability. 

I had been working with them for some time, and they asked what we could do to make the event more sustainable. As one of our biggest clients, I was obliged to do anything in my power to fulfill their request. I brought the topic to our management, and the rest is history! It’s been really exciting to see how Catering by Michaels and Columbia College have grown in the direction of sustainability together.

For this particular event, we send all food in reusable baskets, and on platters and trays. Additionally, we provide compostable plate ware, flatware, and napkins. Our staff is trained up on recycling and composting best practices, and guides any confused guests through what goes where. 

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Gather round the table, we’ll give you a treat. Spinning tops to play with and good things to eat. Cheer comes in all forms throughout the holiday season and for those of Jewish faith, it takes shape through the celebration of Hanukkah (aka The Festival of Lights).

Unlike other holidays within the Jewish calendar that require individuals to fast and abstain from work, such as Passover, Sukkot, and Yom Kippur, Hanukkah festivities are filled with games, gifts, and feasting. Beginning the evening of December 24, many families light menorahs, one candle each night and children receive gifts throughout, such as gelt or money. Games using small wooden tops called dreidels are also played. The dreidel is adorned with lettering across each of its sides that when read together translates to — a great miracle happened there.

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