We’ve never been the kind to skip an event just because of the time of year – we’re up for catering, celebrating, eating and drinking no matter what day of the week, week of the month, or month of the year!

Your Private Chef goes the extra mile, creating menus that cater to trends and seasonal produce throughout the year.

What menus should you consider from a summer social or winter wedding? Read on to find out!

Sweat it out with summer menu ideas

What’s the first thing that springs to mind when you think of summer food?

We think of barbeques, delicious chilled drinks, fresh salads, seafood, late sunsets… and lots of mozzie bites!

For us here in Australia, summer also means Christmastime. And Christmas means lots and lots of parties, events, celebrations, and catch-ups! This time of year, generally from about October through to the New Year (basically mid-spring right through until Australia Day in late January) is often the busiest time for us caterers.

In the summer, we love to prepare:

Backyard burgers

Perfect for a casual celebration at home, burgers are delicious and can be served gourmet-style.

Beef or chicken, burgers are a much-loved food for the summertime. Don’t forget the sides – the ideas are endless! Consider salads, chips, spring rolls, pies, coleslaw, and corn. Yum!

Spanish tapas

A definite favourite, tapas remove the need for individual meal servings: tapas are designed for sharing, and fulfil a wide palette.

Seafood like scallops, crab and prawns combined with paella creates a fresh, filling, and delicious summer menu.

Add a dash of sangria and you’ll be celebrating long into those mild evenings!

Summer salads

These go way beyond a basic leafy salad.

Think dynamic flavour combinations like avocado and prawn that will transform a side meal into a vibrant main. Grilled chicken strips, muscles, scallops, or lobster are the key components that add volume to a salad.

Omit the meat if you’re going vegetarian, and substitute it for grilled eggplant strips, asparagus, couscous, mushrooms, peas, or beans.

And who can go past the classics: Greek, potato, and pasta salads.

Versatile autumn menu ideas

Everything gets a bit more atmospheric during autumn. Summer is winding down and we’re settling in for some cooler temperatures and mistier mornings.

Autumn is a versatile season in that you’re still able to hold outdoor events, or you can head inside.

Autumn catering favourites include:

Picnics

Those who are OK with a bit of morning fog and dewy grass will spend the sunny autumn days outdoors. 

Alfresco options for an event or celebration include:

• Fancy baguettes (way better than a paltry sandwich on thin white bread!)
• Cheese platters
• Homemade pizzas
• Salads (bean, roasted vegetables, quinoa, couscous or the classic Caesar)

Don’t forget about dessert, including delicious donuts.

Cheese platters

You can’t go wrong with a delectable cheese platter. Creamy cheeses differ from those with a bit of bite and tang, so get the perfect blend of both, combined with crackers, dried fruit, and quince.

Antipasto

Another autumn-winter favourite, antipasto platters are great for sharing. Ease your way into the cooler months with cuts of cold meat and seasonal fruits like figs, grapes, pears, and strawberries.

Bundle up for these winter menu ideas

Whether it’s a fancy dinner for a corporate crew of 100 or an intimate dining experience for two, winter menus are delicious, nourishing, and plentiful.

A private caterer, in-home chef, or whole catering team can bring an event to life with creative winter menus.

Warm up with some winter favourites:

Soup, noodles, pasta, and rice

These can be served in so many different ways and with so many different flavours. Think hot and sour soup, Chinese noodles, pasta bake, and chicken risotto. The combinations are limitless.

Keep meat-eaters happy with chicken, chorizo, or pork belly fusions, while vegetarians will love roast pumpkin, wild mushrooms, and potatoes.

Hot drinks

Don’t forget about the beverages! Let your caterer serve these to guests after your dinner party for 12, or choose some kid-friendly ones for a child’s birthday party. Cosy up with:

• Tea and coffee
• Hot apple cider
• Or how about some mulled wine?

View more hot drinks here.

Bloom with these spring menu ideas

Spring is in the air and we’re shedding those extra layers of clothing and starting to feel the warm sunshine on our faces. Ah, we’ve made it out of the winter chill!

In Melbourne, we have the Spring Racing Carnival to look forward to, and this period is when caterers are working flat-out to tend to all your spring parties, events, and weddings!

What’s on your spring menu?

Fruit salads

Yummy yummy. There really are no rules when it comes to a fruit salad. Pick your favourites (including seasonal stars cherries, berries, grapes, plums, peaches, apples, oranges, pineapple and watermelon – the list really does go on) and you’ve got yourself a dish!

Canapés

Savoury or sweet, you can’t go wrong with these hand-held snacks.

Savoury favourites during spring include:

• Chicken finger sandwiches
• Tartlets
• Arancini
• Crostini
• Italian meatballs

Explore our canapé selection here.

Lamb (and more!)

The terms spring and lamb go hand-in-hand, but don’t neglect other meats as well as beautiful seafood like prawns, too.

Tenderloins, chops, breast, loin, and skewers are just some of the ways you can serve meats like chicken, lamb, pork, and beef. Salmon is also a versatile choice for spring (and summer) events.

Find a caterer in Melbourne who can create magical menus no matter the month

So there you have it – season-to-season coverage of some great ideas for your next event – no matter what month it falls in. Choose a caterer that can create magical seasonal menus – without the mess and stress of doing it yourself! Call Ana at Your Private Chef and let’s start planning your Unforgettable Food Experience!