Why Catering Services is the Key to a Safe Holiday Meal

The holiday season is just around the bend, but festivities won’t look like they did a year ago. Though we may have to bid buffets and large family gatherings a temporary goodbye, we don’t have to eliminate all of the holiday cheer.  

Along with mask-wearing, social distancing, and limiting guests, there are a few food-related precautions you’ll want to consider if you’re entertaining a few guests. As a rule of thumb, always reference the CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) or local government regulations if you are unsure.  

Tip 1 – Craft Your Menu Accordingly 

Before jumping into new recipes or delivery options, limit the number of guests you’re planning to host. As much as they’ll be willing to, don’t encourage faraway family members to travel cross-country when it isn’t necessary.  

Prepare a menu appropriate for the number of guests you’re hosting—and not much more. Scale back traditional recipes to suit your smaller get-together. Unfortunately, you may have to sacrifice several Tupperwares’ worths of leftovers to avoid cross-contamination and having to share meals. Still, there’s no reason you can’t prepare a few stunning courses. 

Tip 2 – Rely on Make-Ahead Dishes 

Avoid shuttling guests in and out of the kitchen by preparing meals ahead of time. If you have food ready to go, you won’t have to worry about family members attempting to lend a hand or touching utensils and tools.  

Tip 3 – Keep it Clean 

Regardless of your holiday plans, the COVID-19 pandemic is calling for cleaner-than-usual environments. Whether you’re reheating pre-made dishes or accommodating a catering service, it’s best for anyone preparing a meal to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds before and after serving and eating a dish.  

Purchase alcohol dispensers with at least a 60% concentration and make them available in every room. Include antibacterial soap and tissues in your shopping list.  

Sanitise your space before having your guests over and request that they leave their boots and shoes outdoors.  

Tip 4 – Communicate with Your Guests 

A good guest should have no qualms about your safety precautions—but it’s always best to communicate them beforehand to avoid any oversights. Keep it light and informative, and reinforce the reasons why you’re putting these precautions in place.  

Tip 5 – Consider Delivery 

Just because your favourite catering company can’t cook-to-order during the holiday festivities doesn’t mean they can’t deliver. After all, delivery methods are the only way most businesses remain afloat.  

You can select between family-style meal packages or individual dishes. Each meal will come with heating instructions—and you can always contact a customer service representative for any concerns.  

Conclusion 

If you decide to pursue a holiday dinner party amid the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ll want to prioritise health. Invite only family members who reside nearby and consider preparing your meals ahead to avoid foot traffic in the kitchen.  

If you’re considering catering, collaborate with our culinary specialists at Gourmet Tarts Catering. We provide quality gourmet finger food and courses and adhere to COVID-19 regulations down to the T. Rest assured that your meals will be prepared with utmost care and precaution.