Page 31 - Indulge October/November 2016

PARTY ON

WHEN TO BRING IN A CATERER

By Linda Doell

Parties and family holiday dinners can be a lot of fun Pizzeria and Family Restaurant in Allentown. “You also hire
for guests and can be a frenetic time for those hosting. a caterer when you have something out of the ordinary to
The dizzying amount of details needed to pull off a party be prepared.”
can leave a host more frazzled than having fun. Planning a
party doesn’t have to fill you with panic. Ruffino said people request menu items depending on
the time of year. The year-end holidays and new year’s tend
What is the total amount you want to pay for everything? to have a lot of seafood on the menu, while this time of year
When we say everything, we do mean everything from the sees items like roasted tomato pesto, pumpkin mascarpone
invitations, to the napkins, settings, guest gifts and thank and butternut squash.
you cards. Once you know how much you want to spend, you
can plan your party or dinner around that number. Setting a “People know what they want,” he said. If choosing to go
budget also will give you a very good idea of what might be with a caterer, look for one who will listen to what you have
too over-the-top for your party — and you can downsize if you to say and makes recommendations based on your wants for
want or take a deep breath and go for it. your party.

If you hire a caterer, they should work with your budget to Nothing is ever perfect, so don’t let it get to you if
make the party special, said Russell Lebkuecher, executive something doesn’t go according to plan. Just roll with the
chef and general manager of The Meadows Banquet Hall and flow and enjoy your guests.
Kasey Lynn’s Catering in Hellertown.
No worries, you got this.
Because caterers can buy in bulk, it can actually be
cheaper to hire a caterer than go from store to store for party
trays and other items.

“We make your life fun,” Lebkuecher said. “Impress your
guests and pamper your guests. We set it up and clean it up,
leaving you free to enjoy the party.”

Once you know what you want to serve at the party, if you
choose to hire a caterer, you can look for ones who specialize
in the type of cuisine you want for your party.

“You hire a caterer when you want to take the stress off
of planning the party,” said Joe Ruffino, owner of Biaggio

The
Ruffino family,
serving its Italian
specialties for more than
61 years, over 3 generations later!

Let us cater your special event!

Dine in • Take-Out • Delivery

Mon-Thurs 10am-10pm
Fri & Sat 10am-11pm
Sun 11am-10pm

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610.395.7006 • 610.395.7007 • biaggiopizza.com