Moreno Valley Banquet Hall

It used to be that buffets were considered a less elegant alternative to sit-down catering, but those days are gone. Now, you can cater in a buffet filled with five-star gourmet cuisine.

Food is as vulnerable to fashion as shoe styles. In the 1930s, no elegant meal would have been complete without the addition of the latest food innovation, the gelatin mold. Deviled eggs were popular fare too.

Consider adding a signature cocktail to your wedding. It will not only add an element of uniformity, but also may reduce your open-bar costs as you can prenegotiate a price and expected volume.

When planning your catering order a few months in advance, it's helpful for you to have a fair estimate of attendees and expected budget. As the event draws closer you can adjust your numbers slightly to meet changes in attendance.

While chicken, steak and fish are staples of the wedding menu, they aren't the only options. If you have a favorite ethic food, you may be able to create an entire menu around it.

In a Russian-style banquet, trays are presented to each guest from which they serve themselves, whereas in a French banquet setting, it takes two waiters to service the meal: one for the dish and the other for the sauce.

If you love pasta, you have Marco Polo to thank for introducing it to the West after a trip to China in the thirteenth century A.D. To the Italians of the period, it was molto bene, and caught on in a big way.

After the signing of the U.S. Constitution, the founding fathers gathered in Philadelphia for a monumental party. After five long months of negotiating, it was time for a celebration, and George Washington, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison all joined in for food and entertainment.

Drawn from history and literature, the hidden language of flowers can inform a gathering, make a secret vow, or tell a story. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Kate and Prince William) showcased sweet William, (grant me one smile); honeysuckle (the bond of love); and white roses (the national symbol of England) at their wedding luncheon.

Some of the latest trends that are finding their way into catered events include menus that spotlight food that is locally grown, ethnic dishes, smaller dishes (like tapas), and street food.

A popular catering arrangement is plate service. Here, waiters bring a pre-plated dish of food to each guest. Although there isn't a lot of variety, guests usually have a choice between two or three main dishes.

When choosing what foods to serve at an event or banquet, your best bet is to have variety and balance in your selections, with ample offerings of starters, entrees, side dishes, desserts, and beverages that cater to a wide range of tastes.

Catered breakfasts offer some interesting opportunities to make a gathering unique and appealing. A few decades ago, holding a tea was a popular way to be a gracious host but still keep the menu simple.