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Menus That Take Your Guests Around the World

By Best Lists, Our Catering

No Passport Required

Want a party people talk about long after the last toast? Build it around a themed catering menu. A theme gives guests a story to follow and a plate they can’t wait to try. We already offer crowd-pleasing themes for weddings, corporate events, and private parties. And we make planning simple with buffet, family-style, or plated service options.

Why Themed Menus Work

A theme does the heavy lifting. It sets the vibe, guides the courses, and helps guests know what to expect. It also makes choices easier for planners. You pick a direction, then we help you fill in the details. These menus scale well for small or large events, and they look great on the buffet line and in photos. Best of all, service runs smoothly because our team works these packages every week. Browse them all here: Our Themed Menus

Our Most-Requested Themes

Italy: cozy classics that always win

Think antipasto salad, lasagna with meat sauce, Italian sausage casserole with peppers and onions, bowtie noodles Alfredo, and Italian green beans. It’s familiar and hearty. Guests find something they know and love, which keeps the line moving and the room happy. Add a crisp salad and warm rolls and you’ve got a complete plate that works for mixed groups and all ages. This themed catering menu lets guests find favorites fast while keeping service smooth.

Mexico: a build-your-own fiesta

Let guests customize. Set out chicken breast fajitas, seasoned ground beef, warm flour tortillas, refried beans, Spanish rice, fresh salsa, and nacho chips with all the fixings. People build plates their way, come back for seconds, and keep the energy up. It’s interactive, colorful, and perfect for receptions, team events, and backyard celebrations.

Greece: the gyro-bar moment

“Make your own gyro” stations get people talking. We stock sliced gyro meat, marinated chicken, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, pita, and tzatziki. Hummus with olives, Greek salad, and spinach pie round it out. It’s fresh and bright on the table, and it photographs beautifully for wedding albums and brand events alike.

Southern: BBQ comfort for big smiles

Pulled pork with buns, BBQ chicken, famous baked beans with smoked ham, corn on the cob, and slaw. Add a range of sauces from mild to hot so guests can tune the heat. The menu feels relaxed and welcoming for summer weddings, reunions, and company picnics. It’s the “plate of comfort” that gets people lingering and sharing stories.

Irish: hearty and welcoming

Corned beef and cabbage, rosemary baked chicken, shepherd’s pie, tossed salad, rolls, and butter. It’s cozy and satisfying for cool-weather events and venues with classic charm. The flavors are familiar yet festive, and they pair well with simple bar selections like stout or wine.

Deli buffet: easy, classic, and customizable

Ham, corned beef, turkey, and hard salami with cheeses, breads, and condiments. Add potato or pasta salad and a tossed salad. It’s a low-stress choice for meetings, open houses, and next-day wedding brunches. Guests assemble plates fast and get back to the conversation.

Salmon with Lemon-Dill Sauce – A solid choice if done right. That means moist, flaky, and NOT overcooked, unless your goal is to turn Grandma into a food critic overnight.

Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Sauce – Vegetarian guests deserve better than a sad plate of grilled vegetables. This dish is rich, indulgent, and makes even the most carnivorous guest consider a plant-based lifestyle for about three bites.


Starters set the tone (and buy you time)

Start strong so guests settle in. Go elegant with a whole smoked salmon display, or keep it playful with fan-favorite tenders. We offer a large range of cold and hot hors d’oeuvres, from smoked salmon pâté on cucumber and crab legs to spinach-feta puffs, mini Reubens, bacon-wrapped shrimp, and more. Small bites ease late arrivals, keep lines light, and build appetite for the main course.

Cold ideas: smoked salmon pâté on cucumber, assorted cheeses/salami/crackers, shrimp cocktail, snow crab legs, fresh vegetables with dip, deviled eggs.
Hot ideas: spinach-feta puffs, mini Reubens, bacon-wrapped shrimp or scallops, stuffed potato skins, sausages with peppers and onions, meatballs, teriyaki chicken kabobs.

Late-night snacks people rave about

When the dance floor is still jumping, a late-night station keeps the party alive. A taco bar or fry station is fun, fast, and easy to grab between songs. It resets energy, brings people together, and turns into one of those “remember when” moments guests talk about later. It’s a smart add-on for weddings and any long event with music and open bar.

Drinks that match the menu

Round out your theme with the right pour. We provide full beverage and bar service with trained bartenders, proper glassware, and clear packages. Think five hours of open bar with one bartender per 100 guests, plus all the basics like ice, cups, and bar napkins. Choose Beer & Wine, Standard Bar, or Premium Bar; we also offer specialty selections on request. Signature cocktails and zero-proof sips are easy to plan. Pairing bar service with your themed catering menu ties the whole experience together.

Hosting at home or keeping it simple?

Use Pick Up & Go. Order hot or cold à la carte dishes, choose a party package, or grab Quick-Pick Meals like the Italian Buffet or Mexican Fiesta. Portions are listed, so you can match pans to guest count fast. Call ahead, schedule pickup, and you’re party-ready in minutes. It’s ideal for showers, backyard birthdays, open houses, and office celebrations.

Ready to plan your menu?

Download our menus, pick a theme (or two), and schedule a consultation. We’ll handle the cooking, service, and details. You enjoy the party.

Best Wedding Dishes of All Time

By Best Lists, Wedding

The Best Wedding Dishes of All Time: A Love Letter to Food (And a Warning Against Dry Chicken)

Weddings. A time for love, laughter, and, let’s be honest, judgmental relatives whispering about the food. At Traveling Chef Catering, we’ve seen it all—from the grand feasts that bring a tear to the eye, to the unfortunate buffet trays of regret. Let us take you on a journey through the best wedding dishes of all time, the ones that keep guests talking long after the last piece of cake has been boxed up for a breakfast they will absolutely forget to eat.

The Starter Course: Getting Their Taste Buds to Say ‘I Do’

Nothing sets the tone for a wedding meal quite like the opening act. If you serve a sad little salad, guests are going to start eyeing the bread basket with the desperation of someone who just remembered they skipped lunch. Instead, start strong with something flavorful and a little unexpected.

Mini Crab Cakes with Spicy Aioli – A perfectly crisp little bite that says, “We have class, but also, we like a little spice in our lives.”

appetizers hordervs best wedding dishes

Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze – A classic, but on a stick, because people love eating things off sticks at weddings. It’s science.

Charcuterie Boards – The more meats, cheeses, and tiny pickles you pile onto a wooden slab, the happier people will be. Also, Uncle Gary will pocket some for later, but that’s a problem for future you.

The Main Course: Where Dreams Are Made (Or Dashed)

The main course at a wedding is the moment of truth. This is where you either cement your event as one for the ages or send guests into polite-but-disappointed nods.

The Winners: These make the best wedding dishes and main course.

Braised Short Ribs – Because dry chicken is the enemy. Slow-cooked to perfection, falling off the bone, and served with something creamy (like garlic mashed potatoes), this is the dish that makes guests feel special.

best wedding dish, salmon with lemon dill sauce. the traveling chef catering

Salmon with Lemon-Dill Sauce – A solid choice if done right. That means moist, flaky, and NOT overcooked, unless your goal is to turn Grandma into a food critic overnight.

Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Sauce – Vegetarian guests deserve better than a sad plate of grilled vegetables. This dish is rich, indulgent, and makes even the most carnivorous guest consider a plant-based lifestyle for about three bites.

The Losers (Do Not Serve Unless You Hate Your Guests):

Rubber Chicken with Mystery Sauce – You know the one. It’s dry, it’s sad, and it makes everyone contemplate stopping for a burger on the way home.

Overcooked Steak – If your caterer can’t serve a proper medium-rare steak to a crowd, do not—DO NOT—go this route. A well-done steak at a wedding is a crime.

Anything Too Spicy or Too Experimental – Weddings are not the place for an avant-garde deconstructed sea urchin foam dish. Read the room.

The Best Wedding Dish Sides: Because No One Ever Waxes Poetic About Bland Green Beans

Great sides make a meal. They don’t just complement the main course—they elevate it, turning a good meal into a memorable one – which means your sides can make it the best wedding dish or the worst.

Truffle Mac and Cheese – Because everyone loves mac and cheese, and if you add truffle oil, it suddenly becomes wedding-appropriate.

Garlic Butter Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Brussels sprouts had a bad reputation in the ‘70s, but they’ve come a long way. Roasted and crispy with butter, and garlic? Now we’re talking. Brussel sprouts are a beautiful thing folks.

Parmesan-Crusted Asparagus – It’s green, it’s fancy, and it gives people the illusion of eating something healthy amidst the sea of carbs.

The Grand Finale: Dessert Worth Ditching the Dance Floor For

Yes, there’s cake. But don’t stop there. Guests will eat cake out of obligation. They’ll eat a killer dessert bar out of pure joy.

Mini Cheesecake Bites – Because one big slice of cheesecake is a commitment, but tiny ones? People will eat six and feel zero guilt.

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries – A wedding classic that never goes out of style.

Late-Night Snack Stations – Not technically dessert, but hear us out. A post-dancing taco bar? A French fry stand? Your guests will talk about it for YEARS.

Banana Fosters Stations – Yesssss, its incredible. Caramelized banana’s served over ice cream?! Its both a great tasty way to load up on potassium, but it makes you oh so happy.

The Road to a Memorable Wedding Meal – We know, we make the best wedding dishes all the time.

At the end of the day, the best wedding menu is one that’s thoughtfully chosen and made with care. Keep it flavorful, keep it balanced, and most importantly—don’t let the chicken dry out. Trust us. Your guests will thank you.

Cheers to love, good food, and never serving rubber chicken again.