Choose ice cream catering for your next summer office event
When summer weather kicks in, ice cream catering is a great way to beat the heat while showing your team members how much they're appreciated. Ice cream has a way of bringing out the kid in everyone, and a sweet treat on a hot day is always satisfying.
On top of providing your loyal staff members with something cold and yummy, ice cream catering parties are convenient and fun. Dessert parties of all kinds are easy to set up and clean up, and your employees will have a great time choosing their own flavors and toppings from a wide assortment of ice creams and other goodies.
What toppings and ice cream flavors can I have catered?
Specific ice cream flavors and toppings may vary slightly from caterer to caterer, and some caterers may not offer specialized ice creams. When you place your order with the catering manager or restaurant owner, be sure to inquire about any unique flavors or toppings you're hoping to serve at your event.
Adding a sundae bar to your ice cream catering event can be a really fun idea for office parties or celebrations. The caterer may recommend several base ice cream flavors to choose from and offer topping choices. Depending on the restaurant, they may have several sauces available, including hot fudge, butterscotch, or strawberry. Nuts, sprinkles, gummy bears, and other candy make fun additions, and whipped cream adds an extra bit of indulgence. The caterer or restaurant you choose should be able to provide specifics on what their sundae bar offering looks like.
What should I know about ordering ice cream catering?
When ordering ice cream catering, it's important to let the catering manager or restaurant manager know if you'll be needing cups, spoons, napkins, and cones, including waffle cones, cake cones, and sugar cones. While some caterers may provide these items automatically, it's always a good idea to verify everything in your order to avoid surprises during your event.
If any of your attendees have special dietary needs or restrictions, such as nut allergies or dairy intolerance, let your caterer know when placing your order. Many ice cream shops offer dairy-free alternatives, such as sorbet and almond milk ice cream.
Will your event take place indoors or outdoors? If you're having an outdoor ice cream party and planning to set up a table or cart outside, it's important to consider the temperature and ask your caterer to make accommodations to prevent melting.
How much ice cream and toppings should I order?
The number of guests for your event will help determine how much ice cream and toppings you should order.
While you don't need to order enough of each and every flavor and topping for the maximum number of people, a good rule of thumb is to order a total of 1 to 2 cups of ice cream per person. For toppings, make sure to order approximately 1/4 cup of sauces per person and 1/3 cup of nuts, sprinkles, or other dry items per person.
- 10 people: 5 quarts of ice cream, 2 1/2 cups of sauces, 3 1/3 cups of dry toppings
- 20 people: 10 quarts of ice cream, 5 cups of sauces, 6 2/3 cups of dry toppings
- 50 people: 25 quarts of ice cream, 12 1/2 cups of sauces, 16 2/3 cups of dry toppings
- 100 people: 50 quarts of ice cream, 25 cups of sauces, 33 1/3 cups of dry toppings
How long has ice cream been available?
Ice cream has actually been around for centuries, with origins dating all the way back to the second century B.C. The first recorded recipe for this cold and tasty treat was found in a 17th-century recipe book, but up until the 1800s, ice cream was considered a delicacy and mostly consumed by elite, wealthy people. In 1851, a milk dealer named Jacob Fussell began manufacturing ice cream for the masses, and the rest is sweet history!
