Types of Events We Cater

Why Event Type Matters When Designing a Menu

Food should do more than fill plates—it should support the purpose of the event, energize the guests, and reflect the tone of the experience. That’s why at NY Susan Kitchen, we approach each catered event as a unique opportunity to create nourishment with meaning. Whether it’s a private dinner or a multi-day retreat, the type of event influences every aspect of the menu—from ingredients and portion sizes to how the food is served.

Some events need energizing bites that spark clarity and movement. Others require grounding dishes that calm the nervous system and help people connect. Every detail matters. That’s why our event catering services are never one-size-fits-all. If you’re just starting to explore how holistic catering can transform your next event, our main catering page offers a full overview of how we bring intention and nourishment to the table.

Wellness Retreats and Healing Gatherings

When guests attend a wellness retreat, food becomes more than a meal—it becomes part of the healing experience. Susan’s catering style is rooted in supporting the body’s natural rhythms, so every bite is designed to enhance presence and calm. Mornings might begin with herbal infusions, magnesium-rich smoothies, or grounding grain-free muffins. Midday meals often focus on light, anti-inflammatory options like roasted vegetables, seasonal greens, and gut-friendly dressings made from fermented bases or seed oils. Evening meals are warm, calming, and deeply nourishing, with dishes like kitchari, coconut-lime stews, or root vegetable broths.

These menus are flexible based on the retreat’s purpose—whether it includes yoga, breathwork, journaling, or rest. The goal is to help guests feel clear, balanced, and nurtured from the inside out.

Fundraisers, Galas, and Community Events

Larger gatherings call for a different kind of menu—one that balances beauty, efficiency, and bold flavor while staying aligned with clean, conscious ingredients. For galas or fundraising dinners, Susan creates menus that feel elevated without relying on heavy sauces, processed oils, or filler ingredients. Passed hors d’oeuvres might include roasted beet skewers, mini lettuce cups with avocado mousse, or crisp seasonal crudité with tahini drizzle.

Dinner could be plated or served family-style depending on the space, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and allergy-friendly flexibility. These are events where people are mingling, moving, connecting—and the food is designed to flow with them, not slow them down. It’s possible to create an impressive, high-end experience that’s still rooted in nourishment and intention.

Corporate Wellness Events and Workshops

Not all professional events have to rely on sugar-heavy pastries and uninspired sandwiches. At corporate gatherings where productivity and engagement are key, we take a functional approach to food. Meals and snacks are crafted to stabilize energy levels, reduce crashes, and keep the mind alert. That might mean including omega-rich seed crackers, fiber-packed bowls with quinoa and roasted squash, or energizing herbal teas instead of sugary beverages.

The food you serve says a lot about your company’s values. Choosing clean, purposeful catering sends the message that wellness matters—both for your team and your clients. Whether it’s a board meeting, leadership training, or mindfulness workshop, we ensure that every dish supports clarity, comfort, and focus.

Private Dinners and Intimate Celebrations

Not every gathering needs a large venue or a big guest list to feel meaningful. Some of the most memorable events happen in a home kitchen, on a backyard patio, or around a quiet table with just a few guests. Susan’s approach to small-scale catering is rooted in intimacy and detail. These events allow for highly personalized menus, curated ingredient stories, and presentation that feels both elevated and warm.

For private dinners or milestone celebrations, food becomes a conversation starter. Every dish reflects the guest of honor’s preferences or the host’s vision—whether it’s a rustic Tuscan-inspired spread, a healing Ayurvedic meal, or a seasonal plant-based feast. Because these events are smaller in scale, there’s more space to explore texture, color, and plating in a way that feels artistic and thoughtful. The result is a shared experience that lingers in memory long after the plates are cleared.

Seasonal Menus That Match the Mood of Each Event

The time of year plays a huge role in how menus are built. In the spring, we lean into liver-supportive greens, asparagus, and citrus vinaigrettes. Summer brings hydration-friendly ingredients like cucumber, melon, and cooling herbs. Fall dishes often include grounding squashes, warm spices, and roasted roots. In the winter, guests crave warmth and nourishment—slow-cooked broths, hearty stews, and teas infused with ginger or cinnamon.

Susan works closely with clients to shape the menu based not only on what’s available but also on what supports the body during each season. This rhythm-based menu creation ensures that your food doesn’t just suit your event—it suits the moment. Whether you're planning far in advance or close to your date, our approach to menu customization makes seasonal planning both simple and delicious.

How Planning Differs by Event Type

Every type of event has its own rhythm, and the planning process should reflect that. A corporate lunch might be organized with just two weeks of lead time, while a multi-day retreat may need two months or more. The size of your group, the number of meals being served, and the dietary complexity all affect the timeline. Susan brings years of experience working with a wide range of formats, so she can guide you through what to expect from day one.

We help you think through not only the food but also the setup, service flow, portion sizes, and cleanup needs. That way, nothing feels rushed or unclear when the day arrives. If you’re new to planning catered events, we’ve created a step-by-step guide on how to plan a catered event that makes the process feel calm and doable.

Let’s Design an Experience, Not Just a Meal

No matter what kind of event you're planning, one thing holds true—your food should feel like an extension of your purpose. Whether you're welcoming guests to a retreat, raising funds for a cause, or celebrating a personal milestone, your menu should reflect care, clarity, and intention. At NY Susan Kitchen, we believe that food is one of the most powerful ways to shape how people feel, think, and connect.

When we cater your event, we don’t just show up with a menu. We co-create an experience that supports the energy you’re trying to cultivate. If you're ready to craft something nourishing, beautiful, and deeply memorable, let’s start the conversation.