We’re sad to see it go, but the summer is almost over. Now, it’s time for beautiful fall which will shortly lead to what’s sure to be another cold winter in Chicago. But we’re not letting inevitability get us down! Instead, we choose to focus on the fun side of fall and winter — holiday parties. But we get a lot of customers who come to us hoping to really spice things up. The fact is, most holiday parties suck. But yours doesn’t have to. Be the office hero, and give this list to your boss or whoever’s in charge of your holiday work party.

Here are 5 holiday work party ideas that don’t suck.

White Elephant Gift Exchange

The best part about white elephant gift exchanges are that nobody knows what to expect. Instead of picking something out for a specific person (who you may not know well enough to adequately gift), everyone who wants to participate brings something fun. It’s easy for anyone to participate – the budget is set at a low monetary amount across the board (usually $10-20). Brit.co put together a massive list of white elephant ideas if you’re running low and need inspiration.

Costume or Fancy Theme Party

If you work in a casual environment, it can be nice to dress up. One of our favorite tips on the holiday work party ideas that don’t suck list is encouraging people to dress up nice. Or wear costumes! Either way, it gives everyone the chance to see their coworkers in a new light. Bonus points if you get a photobooth – those pictures will get shared all over social media and hold a special place on people’s desks.

Read More…

Did you know that Catering by Michaels handles a wide scope of events for many prestigious schools in the Chicago area? Some of these schools include Northwestern, Columbia, Roosevelt, University of Chicago, and also K-12 schools like Niles West and Glenbrook North.

Our catering services include full service and delivery for homecoming, reunions, departmental meetings, and more.

We chatted with Shannon Sherwood and Meredyth Brook, who both work with our educational partners at Catering by Michaels, to get their insights on catering for Chicago area schools.

Read More…

Whether or not you have experience working with catering companies, it can be hard to choose the best service option for your specific event. What’s the difference between full service and delivery? Let’s break it down and take a look at each different service type and what they include. 

Here’s a quick visual summary via an infographic:

And now we’ll take a more in-depth look at each…

Read More…

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2016, whether you’re just finishing middle school, transitioning from high school to college, or at the end of your educational career. We’re inspired by the young minds that will be shaping the future. And we also are excited to play a part in many local graduates’ party plans and helping them celebrate their achievements!

Catering by Michaels has two delivery menus that perfectly suit graduation parties set in the summer.

We have a Summer Menu, featuring fresh ingredients and bright colors. Entrees focus on handhelds, and desserts allow for a little bit of indulgence.

Then, there’s the Tailgating Menu that’s reminiscent of barbecue favorites and is sure to please even the pickiest eater at the party.

Let’s take a look at some of our customer’s favorites from each graduation party catering menu that may double as inspiration for your graduation party catering menu.

Summer Catering Menu

Start things out on a refreshingly healthy note with our watermelon and feta salad. This unexpected flavor pairing is just what a summer graduation party needs.

Read More…