Money-Saving Menu Changes Your Attendees Won’t Notice

Simple menu changes can lower your budget while taking your meeting to a higher level. Start with smaller portions, locally sourced items and less meat.

Try these 10 swaps:

1. Butter or cheese boards instead of charcuterie

Charcuterie boards are popular and delicious, but having a wide variety of meats can be expensive. Instead, ask your chef to add cheeses or cheese spreads, jams, honeys, and fruits or vegetables. Or try something completely different: individual butter boards, with a combination of sweet and savory butters served with crostini.

2. Dessert shooters instead of chocolate mousse cake

Your guests can still have their mousse and whipped cream – but served in an elegant cordial glass instead. Other dessert shooter ideas: tiramisu shots, s’mores pudding shots and cheesecake topped with blueberries.

3. Fruit-infused water or a specialty drink instead of soda
   Not only are these healthier options, but they can be ordered by the gallon at much lower cost per person.
   
4. Secondary cuts instead of tenderloin

There are many creative ways a talented chef can replace high-priced steaks with different cuts – and attendees will never know. Just ask. 

5. A pair of shrimp instead of a heap

Piles of shrimp are so…yesterday. Instead, serve two shrimp in a stemmed glass with a sauce and garnish.

6. Food trucks instead of catering

Food trucks offer a variety of options and get your attendees outside, into the fresh air. There are many sophisticated options to choose from – everything from Italian street food to upscale wasabi sliders to vegan fare. Prices are typically $10-$20 per person, much less than a catered lunch or dinner.

7. Coffee at the bar instead of at the table

Why not change things up and serve coffee drinks at the bar instead of offering coffee service at the table? This saves on costs for items like sugar and creamers on each table, as well as renting silver urns, and far fewer attendees will actually indulge.

8. Pasta and rice, or plant-based proteins, instead of meat

Try a meatless day at your meeting. Instead of pork sausages or bacon at breakfast, serve Impossible plant-based products. The rest of the day, Mexican, Indian and Thai noodle or rice dishes are a delicious and affordable alternative to meat, fish or poultry – and more creative, too. You’ll be surprised at how few attendees will miss meat.  

9. Breakfast burritos or sandwiches instead of bacon, eggs and potatoes

Handhelds are delicious, convenient and save not only money but food waste.

10. In-season, local produce instead of imports

Not only does local produce support the local economy, it takes less energy to transport – and it tastes better, too. Replace citrus flown in from Florida with local pears and apples. Include signage to show that they came from a farm just down the road.