Family Reunion Catering Services That Make Space for the Stories

Last June, three sisters called us from three different time zones. They were planning a reunion in Brooklyn—parents flying in, grandkids coming up from Philly, an aunt bringing peach preserves from North Carolina. They didn’t want a catered event that felt formal. They wanted a meal that felt like their mother’s table: simple, seasonal, and full of laughter. We served herb-roasted chicken, blistered green beans, summer corn salad, and stone fruit tart. The table stretched across a shaded terrace, and the stories lasted longer than the dessert.

This is what we mean when we talk about family reunion catering. It’s not about feeding a crowd—it’s about holding space for memory. At NY Susan’s Kitchen, we design meals that reflect your family’s roots, rhythms, and reasons for gathering. Whether you’re planning an indoor dinner for a dozen or a backyard picnic for fifty, we bring food that feels like home—without making anyone miss the party to cook it.

Why Food Is the Heart of a Reunion

When families come together, food does more than fill a plate. It anchors the day. It brings back shared recipes, old traditions, and those “remember when” conversations that only happen over second helpings. But the stress of shopping, prepping, timing, and cleanup can steal joy from the people planning it. That’s where we come in.

We offer full-service and delivery-based catering that adapts to your location, guest list, and pace. From park picnics to rooftop dinners, we create menus that make room for grandparents, toddlers, and everyone in between—because a good reunion is never one-size-fits-all.

What We Offer for Family Gatherings

Every family has its own energy. Some reunions are all about casual spreads and movement. Others call for seated dinners with toasts and pacing. We build our offerings around your format:

• Family-Style Platters: Encourages passing, sharing, and storytelling. Think roasted vegetables, glazed proteins, and large-format desserts meant to slice and share.
• Buffet Setup: Easy flow for larger groups. Includes multiple mains, sides, and dietary-friendly options that work in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Picnic-Style Menus: Great for park gatherings. Think chilled pastas, seasonal slaws, marinated proteins, pressed sandwiches, and rustic sweets.

If your gathering leans more festive, our cocktail party catering packages are perfect for early evening mix-and-mingle reunions. Guests can move freely while enjoying passed bites that feel upscale, not uptight.

Sample Menus for Real Family Reunions

We always start by asking: what’s your family’s style? From there, we create menus that suit the gathering’s pace, season, and size. Here are a few sample combinations we’ve served recently:

Backyard Gathering (30+ guests):
Lemon herb grilled chicken, summer corn and basil salad, roasted potato wedges with rosemary salt, cucumber-dill yogurt dip, and olive oil cake with berry compote.

Indoor Dinner (12 guests):
Pan-seared salmon with citrus glaze, farro with wild mushrooms, shaved fennel and orange salad, roasted baby carrots, and flourless chocolate cake with whipped crème fraîche.

Park Picnic (40 guests):
Chilled flank steak with chimichurri, orzo salad with feta and mint, tomato-watermelon salad, pressed sandwiches with roasted peppers, and lemon bars with candied zest.

We also build in options for kids, elders, and guests with dietary needs. Vegan mains, gluten-free desserts, dairy-free sides—no one should feel like an afterthought at a family table.

Service That Lets You Stay Present

We offer two styles of service depending on the vibe of your reunion. For hosts who want to enjoy the day without lifting a finger, we provide full-service catering: setup, pacing, plating, and cleanup. Our team blends into the background but keeps everything moving smoothly, so you can focus on hugs, laughter, and the cousins meeting for the first time.

Prefer something more relaxed? We also offer delivery with a styled setup. Food arrives fresh, ready to serve, arranged on platters—not plastic trays—and with instructions that make it easy to heat or hold without stress.

For multi-day celebrations, we’ve even designed full food schedules: arrival night drop-offs, day-of feasts, and post-reunion brunches. If you’re celebrating a birthday during your reunion, we can help design a moment-within-the-moment. Our birthday party catering ideas blend seamlessly into family events, offering just the right amount of spotlight.

A Meal That Brings Everyone to the Table

Food is one of the few things that speaks across generations. Whether you’re five or eighty-five, the right dish can spark a memory, soften a moment, or bring a new story to life. That’s why we believe family reunion catering is about more than menus—it’s about presence, intention, and ease.

If you’re in the early stages of planning or already have a date set, explore our dedicated page for private party catering. No matter how big the group, the goal is always the same: make space for the people—and let the food hold the rest.