FIVE WAYS TO RAISE THE BAR AT YOUR EVENT
When you’re planning an event, we know there’s a lot on your plate. Speaking of plates, have you thought about what you will serve? If finding a good caterer isn’t already high on your priority list, here’s something to chew on.
According to a 2019 Eventbrite survey, food was the second most important factor people consider when attending an event. Furthermore, serving quality food was more important than speakers or networking opportunities.
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At SaltBlock, we understand catering isn’t just a box to check off your event planning list.
Crafting imaginative, unforgettable, and tempting food experiences requires thoughtful planning. That’s where we come in. At SaltBlock, we understand catering isn’t just a box to check off your event planning list. Whether trying to max out attendance or impress a distinguished guest, we know an exceptional food and beverage experience can make all the difference.
So, how do you provide an exceptional food and beverage experience at your event? We make it easy. Here are five ways to raise the bar at your event.
“Since we are both foodies, we took our station menu very seriously. We chose a Tampa Cubano theme which featured an incredibly tasty and authentic Cuban menu.”
1— Create a Custom Menu
When designing our core menus, we focus on crowd-pleasing dishes and food trends (hello, charcuterie boards!), but sometimes you want something different — a menu that is only yours. Whatever the occasion or inspiration, our talented chefs can create a one-of-a-kind menu for your event. The options are limitless. To give you a taste of what we can do, check out the custom menu below that we served at an intimate gathering at Tampa Museum of Art.
Canape
Deviled Stone Crab | sofrito - La Segunda bread - 22nd Street Coffee
Appetizer
Wahoo Crudo | guava - cucumber - radish - avocado - kumquat - strawberry - broken champagne vinaigrette
Soup
Spanish Bean | Boozy Pig chorizo - saffron - garbanzo beans - golden potatoes
Salad
Farm Salad | farm greens - prosciutto di parma - genoa salami - swiss - cucumber - mojo vinaigrette - Cuban bread croutons
Intermezzo
guava sorbet - bee pollen
Entree
Crab Encalilua | blue crab - tagliatelle - San Marzano tomatoes - bronze fennel - buttered toast point
Dessert
Cafe Con Leche Creme Brulee | sweet cigar - guava dust
Mojito Caviar Cocktail
Spherified "caviar" pearls of mojito
2 — Choose a Seasonal Dish
Have you heard about our farm? That’s right; we’re growing an abundance of vegetables and herbs at our stunning outdoor venue, Soiree Estate, in Lutz. Our farmer, Chris, planted butter lettuce, microgreens, french breakfast radish, cucumber, beets, carrots, brussels sprouts, broccolini, heirloom tomatoes, summer squash, and a variety of herbs. Due to limited availability, our farm-fresh ingredients are reserved for select dishes. Check out our current seasonal menu here. Our farmer's grazing table features cheese variety, castelvetrano olives, fresh veggies, hummus, fresh bread — and is always a big win at any event!
3 — Add a Local Specialty
Tampa is home to some incredible food businesses and we are proud to support them. When it comes to certain specialty items — like coffee, Cuban bread, and quality meats and sausages — we look to our friends at Spaddy’s, La Segunda, and Boozy Pig for the best of the best. If you want guests to enjoy a local treat, we recommend adding one of these items to your menu.
4 — Serve a Craft Cocktail
Our experienced bartenders can mix a signature drink that guests will be lining up for. Our craft cocktail menu (see below) includes eight specialty drinks made with fresh ingredients, real juices, housemade syrups, and premium spirits.
Traditional Old Fashioned | Makers Mark, allspice reduction, angostura and black walnut bitters, orange peel & luxardo cherry
The Craftsman | Titos, Chinola passionfruit, orange vanilla reduction, lime, dehydrated fruit
Bejeweled | Titos,Violette liqueur, lime, lavender reduction, dehydrated fruit
Mai Tai | Pyrat XO, orange liquor, lime, Orgeat , dark rum, dehydrated lime & cherry
Passion Mojito | Bacardi Silver, passionfruit puree, brown sugar mint reduction, lime, club soda, mint, edible flowers
Bramble | Plymouth gin, creme de mure, lemon, honey reduction, blackberries, dehydrated fruit
Southside | Plymouth gin, lemon, brown sugar mint reduction, egg white, mint
Pop Star Martini | Titos, Fassionola syrup, lemon, rock candy and Edible Glitter!
5 — Ask for On-Site Cooking
Not every caterer can pull off on-site cooking, but this is the method (and madness) SaltBlock was built on! Since the beginning, we have offered scratch-made “cooked-to-order” food for your event. This means a hotter, fresher meal for your guests. Choose one of our live stations, and it’s like dinner and a show! Of course, not every budget, venue, or menu can accommodate on-site cooking. When we discuss your catering needs, we’ll help you decide if it’s right for your event.
Remember: Food is the second most important factor people consider when attending an event. And if the food is subpar, it reflects poorly on you. Because nobody wants to disappoint their guests, you should choose your caterer wisely. Our custom menus, craft cocktail program, local and farm-fresh ingredients, and on-site cooking capabilities will raise the bar at your event.
