Summer BBQ: Catering Secrets for Edmonton Businesses

Summer in Edmonton is a short season of high energy. For local businesses, a corporate BBQ is the quintessential way to celebrate a successful quarter. However, there is a significant difference between a casual backyard cookout and a professional corporate event that reflects your brand.

Lynn, a veteran in the Edmonton catering scene, knows the secret to a perfect event lies in the details. "We fine-tune the experience," she explains. To move beyond basic burgers, here are the professional catering secrets used by the pros.

Selection and Variety: The Professional Touch

When you host a DIY BBQ, you usually have one bottle of mustard and a jar of relish. Lynn notes that professional catering provides options you would not usually have at home. For example, her team provides a selection of five or six different hot sauces.

"If somebody wants the heat, or if they want something on the milder side, we have it," says Lynn.

Master the Hardest Grill Items

While burgers are a staple, adding variety makes your event stand out. One of the biggest challenges for amateur grillers is chicken. Lynn notes that chicken is notoriously hard to grill because you need a perfect char while keeping the meat soft and fully cooked inside.

To solve this, her team uses the "beer can chicken" method. By using a light ale, such as a Heineken, you infuse the meat with moisture and flavor.

Efficiency: The Two-Table Strategy

Long, stagnant lines can quickly kill the mood of a corporate event. To keep your team mingling, Lynn recommends a "two-table" buffet strategy. Instead of one long line, set up two identical stations on opposite sides of the room.

• It doubles the speed of service.

• Staff replenish food more effectively.

• Food stays hot for every guest.

• It makes it easier for guests to get seconds without breaking the flow.

Navigating Alberta’s Unique Logistics

Edmonton venues range from polished ballrooms to unfinished industrial spaces. Lynn recalls scenarios in dusty buildings where the team had to ensure everything was scrubbed and sanitized before service.

In Alberta, you must also plan for unpredictable weather. A professional caterer always has a "Plan B." Whether it is moving the buffet under a heavy-duty tent or transitioning service inside an office, you need a strategy for when the wind picks up. As Lynn puts it, "We always have a Plan B, always, here in Alberta."

The Value of a Full Cleanup

The biggest stress for any corporate organizer is the cleanup after the last guest leaves. Lynn emphasizes the value of a catering team that handles the "behind the scenes" work, such as wiping down surfaces and mopping.

Consider a Specialty Bar

If you want to move away from the traditional BBQ, consider a specialty bar. Pasta bars, taco bars, or even souvlaki stations are becoming crowd favorites in Edmonton. For a pasta bar, Lynn suggests using thick shapes like rigatoni or steak ravioli. You can even include a three-cheese mac and cheese with "wiggly mozzarella" for the perfect texture.

Planning the perfect corporate summer BBQ does not have to be a source of stress. By focusing on variety, efficient service, and professional cleanup, you can host an event that your team will talk about for the rest of the year.