Seasonal Catering That Speaks to Summer

Summer in New York is more than a season—it’s a feeling. It’s rooftop parties, backyard celebrations, weekend brunches, and long evenings that blur into night. At Susan’s Kitchen Catering and Events, our approach to summer menu catering is about capturing that feeling on every plate. We design menus that are fresh, flexible, and tailored to the energy of the city’s warmest months.

Catering in summer isn’t just about swapping hot entrees for cold salads. It’s about understanding the rhythm of outdoor events—how food holds up under the sun, how guests interact with the setting, and how to keep the experience elevated without overcomplicating it. Our chefs build dishes that shine even without a stovetop nearby. From start to finish, each bite should feel like it belongs exactly where you are: at a beautiful event, under the open sky, with people you actually want to be around.

Menus are built around real ingredients and thoughtful presentation. They’re elegant but not fussy, seasonal without being overly familiar. We use local produce, bold herbs, citrus-forward dressings, and proteins that retain their flavor whether served warm or at room temperature. The result is food that performs well at outdoor venues, from city rooftops to brownstone patios.

We invite you to explore how our summer offerings fit into our full-year philosophy by visiting our seasonal catering menus. Summer is just one chapter in the way we tell stories through food, but it’s one of the most vibrant—and one of our favorites to design for.

Designing Menus That Work Outdoors

Outdoor catering is about more than just choosing lighter fare. Every dish has to hold its structure, look good on the table, and taste fresh even if it’s been out for a bit. We prioritize ingredients that are temperature-tolerant, like grilled proteins, chilled grain salads, roasted vegetables, and marinated greens. This lets us focus on building flavor and texture without worrying about melting sauces or wilting herbs.

We also layer contrasts throughout the menu: cool and smoky, creamy and crunchy, sweet and tangy. These elements not only satisfy the palate but help tell a cohesive story from the first course to the last. Our chefs understand that summer food should be exciting and craveable—food people go back for seconds of, not just nibble at politely.

Some of our summer events lean more rustic, like fire-cooked dinners or family-style spreads. Others are more refined, with passed hors d’oeuvres and plated service. If you’re envisioning a more casual but still chef-driven experience, you’ll find plenty of ideas on our summer BBQ menu, where we combine outdoor grilling with thoughtful seasonal sides and finishes.

Sample Summer Menu

Here’s a sample summer menu inspired by real gatherings we’ve catered across New York. These selections are meant to feel fresh, colorful, and effortless—designed to please a crowd without ever feeling predictable.

• Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Salad with Basil Oil
• Lemon-Grilled Chicken Thighs with Preserved Lemon Yogurt
• Charred Corn and Farro Salad with Cilantro and Scallions
• Chilled Zucchini Soup with Mint and Crème Fraîche
• Mini Stone Fruit Galettes with Honey and Thyme
• Fresh Lemonade Bar with Lavender, Ginger, and Citrus Infusions

This is just one direction we could go. Every menu we design at Susan’s Kitchen Catering and Events is customized for your event—your guest list, your style, your space. Whether you’re hosting a family brunch in the West Village or a corporate reception in Brooklyn, we craft menus that fit your vision and the summer moment you’re trying to create.

Events We Cater in Summer

Summer gives you the freedom to celebrate in unexpected ways. We regularly cater private dinners, engagement parties, gallery openings, showers, and open-air weddings. Every event gives us a chance to approach food with a balance of ease and elegance. Our menus can flex between casual and formal, whether you need grazing tables or full-course service.

Many of our summer clients return each season after trying our fall and winter offerings. If you’re thinking beyond summer, our fall menu is packed with earthy flavors and cozy pairings that make it ideal for autumn gatherings indoors or out.

Our Seasonal Perspective

Summer is only one part of our seasonal approach. Our menus change throughout the year to reflect what’s fresh and what’s meaningful to the moment. For example, winter brings slow-cooked mains and candlelit settings. If you’re planning ahead for colder months, explore our winter-themed catering menu for elegant, hearty fare that still feels contemporary.

In spring, we celebrate what’s bright and new. Citrus, asparagus, young herbs, edible flowers—these ingredients shape our menus for bridal showers, garden luncheons, and first-of-the-season outdoor events. See what we’re offering now by visiting our spring menu page.

Each season gives us a chance to reinterpret what catering can feel like. At Susan’s Kitchen Catering and Events, we don’t just swap out ingredients—we rethink the entire experience, so it fits your setting, your guests, and your story.

Booking Summer Catering

Planning a summer event in NYC? Let’s talk early. The season moves quickly, and popular weekends fill fast. Whether your vision is intimate and elegant or vibrant and communal, our team is here to help shape it from the first dish to the last drink.

Our booking process is collaborative, never one-size-fits-all. You tell us your ideas, we bring the culinary creativity and logistical support. Together, we’ll build something worth remembering—and worth coming back for every summer after.