office catering administrative day menu

What is Administrative Professional Day?

Administrative Professional Day, also known as Admin Day, is a day to recognize and celebrate the hard work of those who work in administrative support positions. These employees fulfill an essential role in the workplace. They organize administrative materials, schedule meetings and business trips, manage files, prepare documents and support many different members within an organization.

celebrate administrative day catering

Don’t Forget to Acknowledge that Special Person.!
With Our Administrative Day Menu Enjoy And Celebrate Administrative Professional Day Also known as Secretary’s Day is an Occasion increasingly celebrate in Many areas, where the hard-work and Dedication of secretaries in their Many guises are celebrated and honored. It’s celebrated the Wednesday in the Last full week of April . Many larger companies are Finally observing this holiday.  Here are just a few ideas on how You could show them that you are Thankful for their hard work Throughout the year.

OFFICE ADMIN DAY MENU

“Office Appreciation Hot Buffet”
$36.95 One Entrée
$39.95 Two Entrées
$44.95 Three Entrées
Includes: 2 Hot Sides, 1 Chilled Salad, Cookies, Sliced Fruit & Bread

Entrées

• Herb-Roasted Chicken Breast with Lemon Thyme Jus
• Grilled Flank Steak with Caramelized Onion Demi
• Honey-Soy Glazed Salmon with Sesame Scallions
• Pasta Primavera with Roasted Vegetables (vegetarian)
• Roasted Turkey Breast with Pan Gravy

Hot Sides

• Garlic & Herb Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
• Sautéed Green Beans with Shallots
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon Oil
• Jasmine Rice Pilaf with Spring Herbs
• Sweet Potato Mash
• Roasted Mixed Vegetables

Chilled Salads

• Mixed Greens with Berries & Candied Walnuts
• Caesar Salad with Shaved Parmesan
• Arugula with Pears & Citrus Dressing
• Mediterranean Cucumber & Tomato Salad

Dessert

(Optional $8.95 per Guest)

• Assorted Mini Cupcakes
• Chocolate Brownie Bites
• Lemon Bars
• Seasonal Cookie Assortment

Beverages

($6.95 per Guest)

• Sparkling Citrus Cooler
• Blackberry Lemonade
• Peach Iced Tea

Why Your Admin Team Deserves More Than a Generic Lunch

Here’s something we’ve learned over 25 years of catering: administrative professionals are the backbone of every successful organization. They’re the ones juggling three calendars, solving problems before they become problems, and somehow keeping the entire office running like a well-oiled machine. Yet, when it comes to appreciation, they often get overlooked.

Administrative Professionals Day—celebrated on April 24th each year—is your chance to change that. It’s the perfect moment to actually show your admin team how much they matter. And honestly, the best way to do that? Food. Real, thoughtful, delicious food.

We’re not talking about a sad desk sandwich. We’re talking about a celebration that says, “You’re valued here. You’re appreciated. You deserve something special.”

What Makes Administrative Day Different From Other Office Celebrations?

Most office celebrations feel obligatory. Birthday cake in the break room. Generic pizza for the team. But administrative day is different—it’s intentional. It’s specifically designed to recognize people whose contributions often go unnoticed.

When you invest in quality catering for your admin team, you’re sending a clear message: their work matters. Their effort matters. They matter. That kind of genuine appreciation doesn’t just feel good in the moment—it builds loyalty, improves morale, and actually impacts retention.

Studies show that employee recognition directly correlates with productivity. Teams that feel valued work harder, stay longer, and create a better workplace culture. And it all starts with showing up for them when it counts.

Planning Timeline: How Early Should You Book?

The biggest mistake people make? Waiting until the last minute. If you want a truly customized menu—something that reflects your admin team’s actual preferences rather than a one-size-fits-all option—you need to plan ahead.

Here’s the realistic timeline we recommend:

• 3 weeks before Admin Day: Reach out to your catering company and discuss options. This gives them time to understand your team’s needs and create something special.
• 2 weeks before: Finalize your menu choices. If anyone has dietary restrictions or allergies, make sure your caterer knows.
• 1 week before: Confirm final headcount and delivery logistics (time, location, setup requirements).
• A few days before: Double-check that everyone on your team knows what’s happening. The surprise factor is great, but making sure your admin staff actually gets to enjoy it is better.

When you give your caterer proper notice, they can source quality ingredients, prepare thoughtfully, and deliver exactly what you envisioned. Rushed catering is obvious, and your team deserves better than obvious.

The Menu Styles That Actually Impress

This is where it gets fun. There’s no single “best” way to cater Admin Day. It depends on your team’s vibe, your office space, and what would actually make them feel celebrated.

The Formal Sit-Down Lunch (For the Professional Setting)

Some offices have the space and the culture for a real, plated lunch. If that’s you, go for it. This style works beautifully when you want to create a special moment—almost like a mini celebration dinner.

Think: a starter salad (mixed greens with seasonal vegetables), a main protein (grilled chicken, salmon, or a premium vegetarian option), seasonal sides, and an elegant dessert. Your catering team handles everything—they arrive, set beautiful tables, serve, and clean up. Your admin team gets to feel like they’re at a restaurant, not the office.

This approach is particularly effective in Manhattan or Brooklyn corporate settings where you have a conference room or dining space. It signals that this day is different. This meal matters.

The Interactive Buffet (For Building Community)

If your office is more casual, or if you want to inject some fun into the celebration, go interactive. Let your admin team build what they actually want to eat.

A build-your-own salad bar lets people customize with exactly the greens, proteins, and dressings they prefer. A taco or sandwich station keeps things casual and fun. A pasta bar feels elevated without being stuffy. The interactive element does something special—it gets people engaged, creates conversation, and somehow makes the whole experience feel more celebratory.

Plus, interactive stations naturally accommodate dietary preferences. Someone gluten-free? They can build around that. Vegetarian? No problem. Avoiding certain proteins? Easy. Everyone walks away happy because everyone gets exactly what they want.

The Elevated Casual Spread (For the Practical Approach)

Maybe you don’t have time for a formal sit-down, and your office vibe isn’t super interactive. A really well-executed casual spread is still impressive.

We’re talking about an artfully arranged table with gourmet sandwiches and wraps, a fresh salad selection, fruit, crudités with premium dips, and an impressive dessert display. Everything looks intentional. Everything looks good. Your team can graze throughout their lunch break or take what they want to their desks.

This approach is underrated. It’s casual, but when it’s done right—with real quality ingredients and beautiful presentation—it still feels special.

Dietary Needs: The Real Marker of Thoughtfulness

Here’s what separates “we ordered lunch” from “we truly care about our admin team”: whether dietary needs are actually accommodated.

You have vegetarian staff? They should have a real option, not just a sad salad by default. Gluten-free needs? Your caterer should be prepared. Vegan, dairy-free, allergies to shellfish or nuts? These aren’t edge cases—they’re part of your team’s reality.

When your catering company shows up with options that genuinely work for everyone on your team, that’s when people really feel seen. That’s when appreciation becomes personal.

Ask your caterer about this upfront. The best ones will ask detailed questions about your team’s needs. If they don’t, that’s actually a red flag.

Making It More Than Just Food

Here’s something we’ve noticed over 25 years: the food matters, but the entire experience is what sticks with people.

A few simple touches can turn a nice lunch into something genuinely memorable:

• A handwritten note: Leadership taking time to write a personal thank-you message. It takes 5 minutes and it means everything.
• A small gift: Nothing extravagant. A nice notebook, a gift card, a plant for their desk. Something that says “I was thinking about you.”
• Recognition moment: A few minutes where the whole team gathers and someone actually talks about what administrative professionals do and why it matters. Not cringey. Just genuine.
• Time to actually enjoy it: If you’re doing a lunch, block off the time. Don’t make people eat while they’re still answering emails or stuck in meetings.

These touches don’t cost much, but they transform the meaning of the day. Your admin team isn’t just getting catering—they’re getting genuine recognition.

Consider the Space and Setup

Where you hold this celebration matters. A formal conference table works for some teams. An open break room works for others. Some offices even do outdoor celebrations if the weather cooperates—a rooftop lunch or a small gathering in a park.

Work with your catering company on logistics. They’ve done this before and can advise on what will actually work in your space. Setup time, serving temperature, traffic flow—these details make the difference between a smooth celebration and something that feels chaotic.

Your admin team should feel celebrated, not stressed about logistics. That’s the caterer’s job.

The Range of Options Available

When you’re planning Admin Day catering, you have more flexibility than you might think. You’re not locked into “salad or sandwich.”

Explore our full administrative day menu options to see the range of what’s possible. From classic options to something more creative, there’s a lot to consider.

If you want something specific to your team’s culture or preferences, that’s exactly what customization is for. Maybe your team loves seasonal occasion catering menus that reflect the current time of year. Maybe someone suggested they’d love international flavors or a specific cuisine.

The point is: you have options. Quality catering isn’t one-size-fits-all anymore. It’s designed around what actually matters to your people.

Beyond Standard Admin Day: Creative Celebration Ideas

If you really want to stand out and make your admin team feel truly special, here’s where you can get creative. Admin Day doesn’t have to be the same celebration year after year.

Think about what your team actually enjoys. Are they foodies? Do they love trying new things? Are they more low-key and prefer something comfortable? Do they appreciate humor and fun? Your celebration should match their personality, not some generic template.

Themed Celebration Menus

One way to make Admin Day feel different is to build it around a theme. This isn’t about being cutesy—it’s about creating an experience that feels intentional and memorable.

A Fourth of July celebration menu in early April? A bit early, but the patriotic colors and festive vibe work. Or maybe your team would love a Valentine’s Day style catering menu reimagined for Admin Day—upscale, thoughtful, romantic in the sense that it’s made with care.

Some offices go cultural. Oktoberfest catering menu style hearty, festive food creates a totally different vibe. Or if your team leans into spring celebrations, an elevated Mother’s Day catering menu works beautifully—think elegant, fresh, thoughtfully plated.

Even something fun like a Cinco de Mayo catering menu can work for Admin Day if you want festive, interactive, and colorful. Or go spooky with an October-style Halloween catering menu if your office has that kind of humor—it’s unexpected and fun.

The point isn’t that you’re copying holiday menus. It’s that you’re using proven menu frameworks to create something that feels intentional and special, not like generic office food.

Interactive Elements That Actually Create Connection

Food brings people together, but interactive elements make it memorable. Here are a few ideas that actually work:

A Gratitude Wall or Thank-You Station: Set up a space where coworkers can write quick thank-you messages to the admin team. People actually participate in this—it’s simple, genuine, and your admin staff will re-read those notes for weeks.

Trivia with Actual Prizes: Have someone prepare quick questions about your company’s history, funny office moments, or random knowledge. Keep it light and fun. Winners get small prizes. It gets people laughing and engaged.

A Casual Awards Moment: Nothing cringe. Maybe 5 minutes where leadership acknowledges what the admin team specifically does and how they make the office better. Specific examples matter—”Thanks for always knowing where everything is” hits different than generic gratitude.

Photo Opportunity: A simple backdrop (doesn’t have to be fancy) where people take pictures. In 2025, photo ops are how people remember events. They actually share them. Your team feels celebrated and recognized beyond just the office walls.

The Multi-Course Celebration

If you really want to go all-in, you can spread the celebration throughout the day instead of just doing one lunch.

Start with a nice breakfast spread when people arrive—pastries, fruit, quality coffee, fresh juice. Midday, break for a real lunch—whatever menu style appeals to your team. Late afternoon, bring in desserts and treats. It creates anticipation and makes the whole day feel special, not just one event wedged into someone’s schedule.

This approach works particularly well if you have multiple office locations or shifts. Everyone gets their moment of celebration.

The Practical Logistics People Don’t Always Think About

Here’s what separates smooth Admin Day celebrations from stressful ones: you thought through the logistics ahead of time.

Office Space Considerations

Not every office has a sprawling break room. Some have tiny kitchens. Some have gorgeous conference tables. Your catering company should understand your actual space and be able to work with it.

If you have limited space, a compact, beautifully arranged spread works better than a full buffet. If you have decent space, you can go more elaborate. The catering team can advise on this—they’ve worked in offices all over NYC and know what actually functions well.

Timing and Flow

When should the food arrive? Early morning so it’s ready when people arrive? Closer to traditional lunch time? On a Wednesday (the peak day for Admin Day celebrations)?

Think about your team’s actual schedule. If they’re in back-to-back meetings all morning, lunch might not be the right time. If they have flexibility mid-day, that works beautifully.

Dietary Accommodations One More Time

We can’t stress this enough. In 2025, dietary needs aren’t edge cases—they’re normal. Make sure your catering company has asked detailed questions and shown up prepared.

Vegetarian options? Check. Vegan alternatives? Check. Gluten-free or low-carb options? Check. Shellfish-free, nut-free, dairy-free? All check. Your admin team should feel like the meal was designed for them, not that they have to work around limitations.

Delivery and Setup

Does your building have a loading dock or should the caterer use a specific entrance? Is there restricted access? Do you need setup included or will your team handle it?

These details sound minor, but they impact whether the food arrives hot or cold, whether setup takes 10 minutes or 45, and whether your celebration feels professional or chaotic.

Measuring What Matters: Employee Morale Impact

You might wonder: does a nice catered lunch for Admin Day actually matter to retention and morale? The answer is yes, and research backs this up.

Employee recognition programs that include thoughtful gestures—like quality catering and genuine appreciation—correlate with higher job satisfaction, lower turnover, and better overall workplace culture. When your admin team feels valued on a specific day, that appreciation tends to carry through the whole year.

Administrative professionals often report feeling overlooked. A real celebration—with quality food, genuine recognition, and a day where they’re not expected to solve everyone else’s problems—changes their perception of whether the organization actually cares.

That’s not just nice. That’s business-smart.

Working With a Catering Partner Who Actually Gets It

Not all catering companies approach Admin Day the same way. Some treat it like any other office lunch. Others understand that this day is specifically about recognition and appreciation.

When you’re interviewing catering options, ask questions like:

• “What have you learned makes Admin Day celebrations memorable?” (Good caterers will have thoughtful answers based on experience.)
• “How do you handle dietary restrictions?” (Listen for specificity and care in the answer.)
• “Can you suggest a menu based on our team’s preferences?” (They should be asking questions about your team, not just offering standard options.)
• “What’s your timeline for customization?” (Rushed planning shows in rushed execution.)

The right catering partner will actually care about making this day special for your admin team. They’ll understand the “why” behind the celebration, not just the “what.”

Your Admin Day Celebration Awaits

Planning quality catering for your administrative team isn’t just nice—it’s a real investment in workplace culture. It shows your admin staff that they’re valued, it boosts morale, and it creates a memory that extends beyond one April day.

When you work with experienced catering professionals, the logistics become easy. You don’t have to stress about execution. You get to focus on making the day feel special for the people who keep your office running.

Your administrative professionals have spent the year solving problems, keeping schedules organized, and making your office function. They deserve a celebration that matches the quality of their work.