October 20, 2020

The Creation of Catering

At Grico’s Restaurant, we pride ourselves on offering exceptional catering services for any type of event, whether it be a formal wedding or a casual family picnic. But did you ever stop and wonder when or how catering originated?

Catering’s Origins

The concept of catering dates all the way back to 4th millennium BC China. During this time period, hospitality was becoming a common tradition and many inns and other places began serving meals. The Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all had some form of catering service offered at inns or hostels, though theirs were normally performed by slaves.

In America, the earliest known example of modern-day catering was in 1778 when Caesar Cranshell threw a catered ball in Philadelphia in celebration of the departure of a British general. Over 40 years later, catering became a profitable business. The term catering was supposedly coined by merchant marines; a merchant marine is a fleet of merchant vessels registered to a specific country. Aboard these ships were catering officers who were in charge of purchasing, preparing, and serving meals to the crew.

Modern-Day Caterers

Nowadays, catering is generally a service that you hire to prepare the food for events such as:

  • Weddings
  • Funerals
  • Family Celebrations
  • First Communions
  • Cocktail Parties
  • Corporate Lunches
  • Brunch
  • Baby/Bridal Showers
  • Graduations
  • Holiday Dinners
  • Christenings
  • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
  • Picnics

When utilizing a catering service, such as Grico’s, you will first begin by meeting with the catering coordinator or perhaps with the chef. During your meeting, you will discuss important details of your event such as your budget, menu, and an estimated number of guests. Once the menu is agreed upon, the company will send you the finalized menu and invoice. Other factors that you must consider include whether you want to pick it up yourself or have it delivered, along with whether or not you need waiters. In times of social distancing, choosing to have waiters is smart and safe as it limits the number of people walking around and ensures that your guests stay at their tables. At Grico’s, we have the flexibility and experience you need for your event, no matter if it’s at our place, your place, or theirs!

Another benefit of catering is that many caterers also provide the cutlery and dishware that will be used during your event, making clean-up basically non-existent for you, the host.

Why Cater?

When it comes to hosting the perfect party or event, it’s all about the atmosphere and the food. Worrying about decorating and sending invites is enough without having to handle preparing enough food for the entire guest list. When you hire Grico’s for your catering needs, we will ensure that the food preparation and transportation are nothing less than seamless.

Plan for your event by contacting our catering coordinator, Allison, today by emailing afriedman@gricosrestaurant.com or by calling 570-690-3339. For premier catering in the Wyoming Valley, choose Grico’s.

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