Rock Your Concert Tailgate with Our Catering Menu

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Some of the biggest concerts of the decade are happening in 2024, and if you’re planning to attend any of them, making the most of the experience with a pre-concert tailgate is a great way to extend the fun. Whether you’re seeing the Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Springsteen, or one of the other big names playing in 2024, at Nick’s of Calvert, we want to make sure that you have a blast. Check out our tailgate-ready suggestions for ideas to really make the night rock, and remember, if you’re in a pinch and don’t have time to prepare, our catering menu is a great option! 

Dips

It wouldn’t be a tailgate without a dip or two. Get your pretzels, chips, veggies, and crackers ready for a plunge. Here are some of our favorite dips that are easy to prepare and are parking lot-approved:

  • Guacamole. No matter the season or the occasion, guacamole is something you can’t go wrong with. Keep it simple with just some avocados, lime, garlic, salt, and tomatoes, or switch it up by throwing in some hot peppers, strawberries, or even cheese. If you want a real crowd-pleaser, try guacamole with bacon and blue cheese. Served with crispy chips, this one is sure to be a favorite. 
  • Hummus. Like guacamole, hummus is a dish that can be iterated on in a number of different ways, taking a relatively simple (and dare we say healthy) dish that’s perfect with a little olive oil to something with complex flavors and texture. For example, try a buffalo-style hummus by adding smoked paprika, buffalo sauce, and blue cheese crumbles. 

Sliders & Handhelds 

Some other easy options when you’re tailgating that are bound to get a lot of likes are handhelds like sliders and empanadas. Try out one or both of these:

  • Beef sliders with slaw. A boneless beef chuck roast combined with some Worcestershire sauce and barbecue sauce can make for a real mean snack, especially when topped with a tangy slaw. Prep ingredients in advance to save yourself time day of.
  • Empanadas your way. Empanadas are a classic South American dish. These pastries are typically stuffed with meat, but can be filled with veggies, mushrooms, or cheese, or even served sweet! While making empanadas can feel intimidating, this easy beef empanada recipe takes the pressure off. Enjoy! 

Sweets

Sure, you could always just buy a box of cookies or donuts. But you could also get something a little bit more special! These are two of our favorites: 

  • Slow cooker lava cake. There’s nothing more amazing than a slow cooker. Slow cookers bring out the best flavors, and part of the magic is that everything is contained in a single pot for cooking and serving, leading to easier cleanup and making it perfect for tailgating. This recipe for a slow cooker lava cake has us drooling. Oh, and it can be served cool, too. 
  • Lemon bars. Delicious in both the winter and the summer, lemon bars are a crowd favorite that are relatively easy to make and mess-free to serve. Plus they keep well when served at room temperature, so having them in the car for a bit isn’t an issue. This creamy vegan lemon bar recipe is an obvious choice—vegan or not. 

No Time to Prep? No Problem. 

Of course, even if you love to cook and plan to prepare your own feast for your concert tailgate, life sometimes gets in the way. To keep things simple, ordering off a catering menu may be the way to go. Some of the benefits of choosing catering for your tailgate party include:

  • No-stress enjoyment—get something great without having to worry about shopping, cooking, or cleaning.
  • Guaranteed deliciousness—at Nick’s of Calvert, we take pride in what we prepare, and we know you’ll love it too.
  • Timeline that works for you—ordering catering is easy, and your order will be ready when you need it. 

Call Nick’s of Calvert Today 

A good concert can be a riveting experience, and one that’s made even better by spending time with family and friends beforehand. To maximize your enjoyment, make sure your tailgate has all of the most delicious foods. If you’re preparing yourself, you’ll find high-quality meats, free produce, and competitive pricing at Nick’s, as well as all of the beverages you need. If you’d rather order catering, we have you covered with an extensive catering menu that’s sure to leave you satisfied. To learn more, call today at 410-414-7105. We look forward to helping! 

Tips for Catering Your Next Business Meeting

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If you’re in charge of organizing the food and drink for a business meeting, you know that the task can be stressful. In addition to keeping your budget and time constraints in mind, you must also deal with a full spectrum of tastes and diets. From the hyper-healthy to the picky eaters, it can sometimes feel impossible to find corporate catering that will please everyone. But it’s easier than you think.

Getting Your Budget on Track

Before you jump in and your stomach gets the best of you, think about your budget. Are you looking for something fancy or more casual? Clarify expectations and your budget with the meeting’s organizers before you order the catering. And don’t forget to account for extras like linens and any decorations you might want to include.

One of the biggest impacts on your budget will be the number of mouths you have to feed. Get an estimate on this and then pad your ordering to account for any last-minute attendees. It’s always better to have a little bit too much food and some leftovers than not enough and hungry guests.

Understanding Your Space

Take a close look at the space where the business event or meeting will take place. If it’s an all-day training session or conference, is there a separate area you can use to serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks?

With business catering, self-serve generally works best. This approach can save you money, and it’s also more comfortable for attendees who can choose what they want to eat when they are ready.

Picking the Perfect Food

Now you’ve reached perhaps the most vital step in the process – choosing the right food for your catered business meeting. Here are some tips to help you get it right:

Consider the Time of Day

The time of day you have your meeting will impact the type of food your attendees will be craving. Whether you are planning a breakfast meeting, a working lunch, or an afternoon seminar, you’ll want to order food that is appropriate.

Choose a Theme or Cuisine

If you order pizza for every company event, your staff is going to get tired of it pretty quickly. Variety is the key to keeping your attendees happy and motivated. For example, you can choose a different theme each time, such as sandwiches, finger foods, Italian, or barbeque. And don’t forget to add something delicious to your catering order for dessert.

Treating Food as Fuel

While the bowls of candy for your office Halloween celebration might seem like a fantastic idea, the resulting sugar crash won’t do much for productivity and innovation. When you choose your catering menu, always aim for some balance between fueling up and healthy options. Sure, you can include cookies, but don’t forget about the veggie tray or some fruit options.

Catering for Special Diets

Speaking of fruits and vegetables, it’s important to remember that some of your meeting’s attendees might have dietary restrictions or different preferences. Whether your guest is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, or just plain health-conscious, make sure you address any special dietary requirements when you place your catering order. As a rule, you should make about 25% of your order vegetarian and/or gluten-free.

Starting the Process Early

When it comes to catering for a business event, you may not want to wait until the last minute to figure out your needs. Ideally, the best time to start planning is about one to two weeks in advance. But, let’s face it, last-minute meetings pop up all the time, and people need to eat! If you only have a few hours’ notice, give Nick’s of Calvert a call to see what we can do to accommodate your needs.

If you have an abundance of time, make a schedule and a brief list of what needs to be done and who needs to do it. Make sure you answer the following questions during your planning:

  • Who will place and receive the order?
  • Who will prepare the space for the meeting?
  • Do you need additional refrigerator space for drinks and food?
  • Do you have enough plates, napkins, and utensils?

Get Business Catering Help from Nick’s of Calvert

Nick’s of Calvert stands ready to be your catering partner for your next business meeting or other special event. We have an extensive catering menu of fresh and delicious items and would be happy to help put together your selections. Give us a call at (410) 414-7105 or stop into our store today to place an order or get the assistance you need.