The Top 5 Holiday Party Menu Ideas To Please A Crowd

Hi! My name is Amy LLoyd, and I’m a Catering & Event Coordinator at Kiss the Cook. Today I’m sharing my hot take on the top 5 holiday party menu ideas for 2023.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, especially when you are on the receiving end of a great meal. Kiss the Cook Catering is offering a wide range of seasonal menus designed to compliment whatever type of event you are looking to cater. From our famous Festive Turkey Feasts to our finger foods and grazing platters, there is an abundant selection of possibilities when it comes to planning your perfect party menu.

Tried and true, all of the following recommendations can be found on our latest Fall/Winter Menu.

#1 Winter Herb Brined, Sous Vide Carved Turkey Breast and Confit Leg

Turkey is a beloved tradition at any Holiday celebration, however, to prepare one is quite the commitment. Not to mention, a whole bird can be too big for a small group and too messy and fussy for a large one. If you’re looking to keep it traditional but want to avoid the challenges of carving, portioning and serving, we have the perfect solution. Order your turkey pre-carved and ready to eat.

Our chefs use the ‘sous vide’ process to bring you a top-tier, succulent turkey dinner at it’s finest. We start by vacuum sealing turkey breasts and legs in a marinade with the perfect blend of spices. After the turkey soaks in all that delicious flavor, the package is then placed in a water bath at a low-temperature over a precise period, resulting in a super juicy turkey cooked to the exact ideal doneness – we all know serving a non-dry turkey is the ultimate holiday achievement. We’ve got turkey preparation down to a science! Expect perfectly sliced and plentifully portioned turkey that tastes so good, it will be hard for guests to believe it was delivered.

Our Festive Feast also comes with scratch made gravy, homemade cranberry sauce, buttery mashed potatoes, french green beans with crispy garlic & sea salt, maple glazed roasted root vegetables, and fresh baked dinner rolls. Starting at $35.00 per person.

#2 Espresso Braised Beef Short Rib

Executive Chef Chris Canham calls this one of his signature dishes and there’s no reason to doubt why. He has diverged from the predictable slow cooked, red wine short rib recipe and experimented to create a decadent Espresso Braised Beef Short Rib. Rich yet not overwhelming, the demi glace has a ribbony smoothness to its texture. This succulent fork tender beef comes with beautifully paired side dishes including creamy mashed potatoes, French green beans with crispy garlic and sea salt, and maple glazed roasted root vegetables. It’s the perfect plate for those who rather skip the bird.

#3 Lentil & Butternut Squash “Bourguignon”

Enjoy Kiss the Cook’s twist on a classic, French dish. Our veggie-centric rendition of beef bourguignon is made with red wine braised mushrooms, roasted root vegetables and lentils with a savoury gravy. A festive “Vegan ‘Bourguignon” is the perfect option for a meatless main course. Even a carnivore would be hard pressed to miss the meat.

It’s courteous to consider all diets when planning a party menu for a crowd, so don’t hesitate to ask your guests for any dietary restrictions or incorporate a vegetarian menu option on the buffet, just in case.

I think we should all embrace more vegetable forward dishes and there’s no better place to start than right here. Bon Appetit!

#4 Citrus Root Boost

It’s nice to incorporate fresh greens into any well rounded feast. However, a seasonal salad – especially in the Winter – can be tricky. My top pick is a vibrant, sweet and earthy salad that includes roasted beets, oranges, winter greens, pickled red onion, feta, mint, and sweet & spicy candied pecans, served with a mouthwatering maple tahini dressing on the side. Looking for nut-free? We can always substitute with seasoned pumpkin seeds for a craveable crunch. Gone are the days of boring salads in a board room, say hello to happiness on a plate!

Tiramisu Jars

Adorably packaged and just the right amount of sweet, our tiramisu jars are a tempting treat. A combination of decadent mascarpone cream, espresso soaked ladyfingers and cocoa powder, for a winning finale to pretty much any dinner. You might want to consider serving a variety, as we also carry strawberry shortcake and decadent chocolate triffle flavours. The whimsy of eating a traditional cake from a jar makes the dessert a little more buzz-worthy and memorable. Making lasting memories around awesome events is what we love to do best.

If you’re planning a special event and would like any menu recommendations, the above are only a small tasting of what we can provide. Contact us to reserve your date as soon as possible.

Happy holidays!

Amy Lloyd