Party food catering ideas

February 16 2018 , Written by Noah Bowens

Shrimp Boil

A one (big) pot dinner party! Corn, shellfish, and potatoes means you cover all the food groups, too. Serve with: Up the ante with hush puppies, Bloody Marys, and plenty of Old Bay.

DIY Hot Dog Bar

Be as crazy (or as conservative) with the toppings as you'd like. Serve with: Go All-American and serve baked beans on the side, ice cream sandwiches to finish, and Budweiser throughout.

Casual Couples' Party: Malbec & Peppercorn Steaks

Have your best paired-off friends over for peppercorn-crusted steaks on the grill, delicious, affordably priced Argentine Malbec, and, of course, good conversation. An ideal accompaniment to beef, this medium- to full-bodied, rustic-and-spicy, yet lush-and-fruity red wine has tannins hefty enough to cut through the fat of these juicy, peppery grilled steaks.

Happy Hour: Prosecco & Fried Dumplings

Happy Hour at your place calls for a simple snack paired with an easy-going sparkling wine. Prosecco, from Veneto, Italy, is an ideal match for both Asian cuisine and fried foods so whip up flavorful dumplings and experience the pleasing contrast between the wine's effervescence and the crunchy fried wonton.

Steamed Mussels

Steam your mussels in a couple of batches (they only take a few minutes), and keep in mind that you'll need about a pound per person. Serve with: The best part of eating mussels is sopping up the juice, so grilled bread is a must, and a huge pile of grilled veggies will make everybody feel virtuous. White wine spritzers pair well with shellfish, and their lower alcohol content means you can drink all night, look more ideas to website.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Sure, you could make it in a slow-cooker. But, it's summer. Why not fire up the grill and get some of that delicious flavor? Serve with: Super classic pasta salad and coleslaw go perfectly with pulled pork without distracting from it. Blueberry mint juleps are sweet enough for day drinking but strong enough to really make it a party.

Veggie Kebabs

A big hunk of meat won't feed every type of crowd. Serve with: Keep it strictly vegan with quinoa tabbouleh salad and vegan banana splits. To drink, nothing says "summer" like a Pimm's Cup.

Movie Night: New World Chardonnay & Popcorn

Movies, popcorn, and...Chardonnay? Yes, indeed. Pick up a bottle of slightly oaked, New World-style Chardonnay on your way home from the video store, make some 'real' buttered popcorn (not that microwave stuff), plant yourself on the couch, and press 'play.' The rich, toasty flavors of the wine mirror the rich, buttery goodness of the popcorn. Who knew it could be so easy?

Neighborhood Block-Party: Beaujolais and Burgers

Invite your neighbors over for a casual backyard party with Beaujolais wine and grilled burgers. Beaujolais wines from France (which are much more than just that 'Nouveau' stuff) are a great match for burgers because of their lively acidity, juicy fruitiness, and soft tannins. You can even drink the more youthful Beaujolais a little bit chilled, which is perfect for outdoor summertime sipping.