Summer barbecues and work parties provide a chance to get out in the sun, socialize, and enjoy good food. Organizing a community or workplace get-together can be fun, but do you want to be stuck behind the grill when it comes time to party?

Flipping burgers in the backyard for a small family gathering might not be much of a hassle; however, catering is the way to go when you have an entire office to feed. If you’re managing the food station during your next big event, you’ll hardly get the chance to share in the good times with everyone else.

Plus, catering for summer parties creates a sense of excitement. Want to get your guests pumped about your next party? Tell them it’s catered.

The best summer catering ideas for your big event

Nearly any event can and should be catered. Make your next celebration a success with these summer catering ideas.

Summer work parties

Summertime is the best time for work parties. They’re great for getting employees to engage with one another in a different setting. Getting outside, playing games, and sharing a meal can boost employee morale and camaraderie. 

By providing catering for summer work parties, you ensure no one is left out of the fun and networking opportunities. And your event will come off as more professional.

It’s best to not have any food that’s too messy for summer food catering. Provide tables, chairs, plates, and silverware — even if it’s disposable. Then serve grilled meats and veggies that can be eaten with a knife and fork. Salads and slaws make for fantastic side dishes, and a selection of refreshing summer mocktails or cocktails will help everyone have a good time.

Fourth of July celebrations

You invited the crew, planned around the fireworks, and bought sparklers for everyone to wave about — but what will everyone eat before the big show?

Hotdogs and chips aren’t all that impressive. Party platters offer color to match the theatrics of Independence Day and enough variety to please any palate. A few summer party platter ideas include a meat and cheese tray, cubed fruit with whipped cream, and an assortment of hoagies. Have a caterer make the platters and drop them off, and you’re all set.

Graduation parties

After all the pomp and circumstance, you’re going to have a hungry group on your hands. Best not to make them wait. Plan your catering ahead of time and schedule all the food you need to arrive right after the graduation ceremony comes to an end.

Assuming you’ll have some hungry teenagers to feed, it might be wise to load up on quick-grab snacks that’ll fill empty stomachs fast, like pizza and sliders. Similarly, consider desserts like doughnuts and churros that kids will love and can be eaten without utensils.

Summer picnics

A picnic is a relaxing, casual way to get the family or a group of coworkers together for an afternoon in the park. At a picnic, guest might bring their children and maybe even their dogs. So, when considering summer catering menu ideas for a picnic, keep the little ones in mind and set the food where no pooch can reach.

Picnics can be as simple or refined as you like. Triangle-cut sandwiches, baby carrots, and bananas will keep the kids happy. For the adults, a charcuterie selection alongside olives, cheese, crackers, and deviled eggs is excellent for those who love to snack. And for the main meal, consider chicken Caesar salad with flatbread or pulled pork mac and cheese with apple slaw.

Summer barbecues

Who says you have to cook everything at your summer barbecue? Sure, fire up the grill for the steaks and burgers — be the star of the show — but get a caterer to do the rest. Instead of prepping food for days before, let a caterer prepare your potato salad, fruit salad, elote, mixed-berry pie, lemonade, chocolate-covered pretzels, and anything else you want to have at the party.

Summer birthday parties

Whether you’re celebrating your child’s birthday at home or in the great outdoors, you’ll have a lot to manage. Organizing the event is one thing, and keeping the kids entertained is another. Hopefully, the other parents will help wrangle their own children, but you can’t expect them to help with all of the food.

Getting a professional to make the cake is a no-brainer, and you can also have all of the party snacks catered. Make it easy for kids to snack when they need it with a variety of kid-friendly treats like ants on a log, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, and fruit slices. Then, sit them down for the grand finale with a big slice of cake or a cupcake to call their own.

Back-to-school bash

Get the kids excited for the upcoming school year and connect with other parents by hosting an afternoon back-to-school party a week or two before classes begin. Organize the event with your school’s Parent Teacher Association and have it catered so that all parents and teachers have equal opportunity to mingle.

Rather than a sit-down meal, consider providing an array of small bites and small plates that can be carried around the room. Have the caterer prepare a long list of appetizers like meatballs, chicken wings, pastries, sushi rolls, and veggie crisps with hummus dip.

And for the kids, consider grab-and-go party platters of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cheese and crackers, pigs in a blanket, and cookies.

Enjoy your fun in the sun with ezCater

Make the most of your summer gatherings by having your event catered. These summer catering ideas ensure no one has to work during a summer office party and that mom and dad aren’t stuck in the kitchen during their child’s celebration. For a sure bet that your summer party goes off without a hitch, use ezCater.

Plan your next summer party with a catered meal from one of ezCater’s 100,000+ restaurants.