As the premier caterer in Columbus, Ohio for personal and corporate events, it often is a wedding reception event that allows the Sandman Gourmet Catering team to shine. We are committed to personalizing every catered wedding affair by working closely with our couples to plan menus that not only fulfill their dreams but also their budgets. Our unrivaled attention to detail and personal touches set the stage for one-of-a-kind wedding memories as seen in the recent wedding of Ashley Kerr and Craig Pulliam of Columbus, Ohio.

Planning Ashley and Craig’s menu for their dream wedding this past June was truly a pleasure. In honor of their love and to commemorate their chance meeting on the golf course, Ashley and Craig’s wedding reception was held at the Little Bear Golf Club in Delaware, Ohio where the wedding theme celebrated the “season of love.” We worked closely with this very special couple so every detail reflected their wishes and unique circumstances. After the wedding, guests mixed and mingled in the reception area at a summer-themed cocktail hour featuring breathtaking displays of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables accented with tasty Greek-style Spanakopita. Guests had a chance to gather, before moving into the main ballroom for an extravagantly catered buffet dinner complete with gourmet carving stations of Lemon Chicken and Tenderloin of Beef.

Carving stations during the dinner hour were an ideal choice, and helped put the finishing touches on Ashley and Craig’s catered wedding reception. Strategically-placed carving stations spread guests out so everyone is not in line for the same thing at the same time. They also provide an opportunity for the culinary team to interact with guests, creating an added flair of sophistication.

“We wanted our guests to enjoy a hearty, yet sophisticated and upscale catered meal,” Ashley said. “With that in mind, Chef Rores and his catering team provided us with a variety of outstanding menu offerings that we narrowed down to our final selection. The Sandman Gourmet Catering staff listened carefully to what we did and did not want and presented us with a catering menu our guests are still talking about.”

Ashley and Craig wanted a lively, upbeat dining experience, so we designed a buffet meal, which encouraged guests to interact. A buffet allows you to serve a wide variety of foods, offering guests options of sampling multiple main courses. Buffets also allow more room to consider any dietary needs, inviting guests to pick and choose their meals. For sides, we offered delicious pasta alfredo, market fresh vegetable medley, spinach salad with multiple dressing choices and fresh warm bakery rolls and butter.

“We loved the flow of our dinner reception,” Craig said. “There was so much energy in the room with everyone moving from station to station. The buffet choices were a really big hit and we were confident there was plenty of food for all of our guests.”

Providing a fresh outlook, active listening and years of experience allows Sandman Gourmet Catering to create personalized and picture perfect wedding catering menus for all wedding couples. From menu design to event execution, Sandman Gourmet Catering is your ideal catering partner in Columbus, Ohio. We will meet with you throughout the engagement period to discuss your vision, help you develop and monitor your budget and do the necessary research, screening and coordination of culinary vendors. You can rely on our professionalism and creativity throughout the entire catering process.

Ashley and Craig’s special day was truly a celebration of love, and all of us at Sandman Gourmet Catering wish them all the best!

Here in Columbus, Ohio, these caterers root loud and proud for The Ohio State Buckeyes! As most football fans know, a huge part of the football sports experience is tailgating. Not just a pre-game festivity at the stadium anymore, tailgate parties rock all across the city in homes, backyards, parks and pretty much anywhere people meet to cheer on their hometown teams. And the tailgating tradition has definitely gone from ordinary to extraordinary, with creative catered dishes and unique themes that make every host a star player. Whether you're having family and friends over to watch the big game or hosting a huge catered parking lot party, tailgating is a favorite way to enjoy great company and food before during and after the game.

Become a Tailgate MVP With Sandman Gourmet

Creativity is the main ingredient that will win you the MVP at your next tailgate party and Sandman Gourmet Catering can run interference for you. As die-hard Buckeye fans and experienced tailgating caterers in Columbus, Ohio, we know what it takes to present a spread that really scores big.

Menu Match-Up

Fans have been partying before games since sports began, and today's fans are getting a lot more creative about what to serve, especially in Columbus, Ohio. Whether you’re thinking large, small, upscale or casual, Sandman Gourmet Catering offers unique menu choices that are guaranteed to make your catered party a huge success. You can choose from any of our favorite tailgate menus or work with us to create individualized themes and foods that will WOW party guests and compliment your theme. From delicious tailgate snacks and appetizers to delicious main courses and sinfully divine tailgate desserts, our menus and presentation always provide something deliciously out-of-the-ordinary. So kick back, enjoy the game and let Sandman Gourmet Catering feed your team.

Game Day Strategy

Here's a Great Tip: Even in Columbus, Ohio not everybody has a grill, and many people don't enjoy missing the action by barbecuing throughout the entire party. If that sounds like you, I recommend foods that can be prepared a day or two in advance. Try a delicious fall menu of hearty soups, stews, chili and/or baked ziti. These recipes can be warmed at home prior to the game-day and party kick off.

Creative Cuisine Coaching

A sure sign of a serious tailgater is a menu based on the home team's schedule. Consider dishing up clams and seafood for games with Seattle and the Northeast, seafood and Hispanic cuisine for Florida rivalries and some fiery Southwestern foods for Arizona and Texas games. You can mix and match the hometown specialties with the local tastes of gridiron rivals like we do for the Columbus, Ohio OSU fans every weekend in the fall. Just for fun, consider featuring the opposing team’ s mascot in roasted, grilled or deep-fried form like in a baked Virginia ham, deep-fried turkey, roasted duck with citrus and honey or smoked pork chops. This makes a deliciously clever presentation that will have all your guests cheering the team to victory.

While the logistics of throwing a top-notch tailgate may be different for every situation and host, Sandman Gourmet Catering always knows how to make it a deliciously fun experience. Contact us for more information on catering a uniquely different, always tasty and forever memorable tailgate party with a Sandman twist.

The culinary team at Sandman Gourmet Catering in Columbus, OH invites you to think green when planning your next catered affair.

Using environmentally-friendly practices and foods is not as new as you might think. Most of our parents and grandparents can still remember a time when farmers markets and backyard vegetable gardens were not just trendy new buzz words, but the foundation of healthy family menus.

As a full service caterer in Columbus, Ohio, Sandman Gourmet Catering continues the time-honored tradition of providing nutritious and palette-pleasing menus with sustainable practices that make a positive impact on the environment. Our award-winning staff works closely with a variety of growers to provide you with the option of choosing organic foods and locally-grown products.

What does incorporating green into your catering menu mean for you? It’s a chance to execute some creative catering and enjoy the true flavor of seasonal foods grown in your area. If you are exploring the benefits of catering green, I highly recommend customizing menus based on the seasons and location of the foods. In different parts of the world, and even in different regions of the country, seasonal menus vary. Still, there are overriding principles you can follow to ensure optimal nourishment in every season. Locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables taste delicious, are usually less expensive and your food dollar goes directly to the grower. Buying seasonal foods also allows fun opportunities to try some new foods and learn new seasonal recipes. Mesclun Greens with Apples, Candied Pecans and Goat Cheese is a signature Sandman dish using local, seasonal ingredients and works perfect for a summertime soiree. Even catering in Columbus, OH provides ample opportunities for using seasonal, locally-grown food.

Hosting an eco-friendly affair involves time well spent considering food choices and services that make for a green-worthy event. Using organic ingredients is also a choice that can add fresh and tasty foods to the menu. The following ideas will help ensure your next catered conference, meeting or special event is not only superb, but also sustainable.

Local Foods: Non-locally grown food travels an estimated 27 times further than its homegrown counterpart, meaning it contributes significantly more to carbon emissions during transport than produce and meat grown nearby. Most produce in the U.S. is picked 4 to 7 days before being placed on supermarket shelves, and is shipped for an average of 1500 miles before being sold. Locally grown fruits and vegetables are usually sold within 24 hours of being harvested, therefore produce picked and eaten at the height of ripeness has exceptional flavor and is packed with nutrients.

Organic Choices: Fruits, vegetables and meat produced without chemical pesticides or fertilizers is not only healthier for the planet, but also for your guests because it must meet strict criteria set forth by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Vegetarian or Low-Meat Meals: Vegetarian options are important as they are a lower carbon impact choice. Free-range poultry and local fish or seafood are also good menu items for a sustainable meal. Hearty meals like pasta and vegetarian lasagna are great options because they are more economical than meat dishes and are often a welcome change both for the chef and the attendees.

Reusable Food Service Items: Add a touch of earth-friendly elegance by using real plates, dishes and silverware, instead of disposables.

Compostable and Biodegradable Products: Recycled dishes and flatware also make a great choice. Compostable plates made from sugar fiber waste; compostable cups made from corn and flatware made from corn and potatoes are great options. For something a little sturdier and dressier, consider using bamboo plates. Though these items are for single use, they are made from renewable resources that biodegrade quickly.

What’s Left? Frequently, there is a surplus of leftover foods that can be donated to local shelters if it has been handled and stored properly. This information needs to be discussed with your caterer prior to the event. Guests can also take home centerpieces and flowers (be sure to get the word out before everyone departs) or donated to a worthy cause.

At Sandman Gourmet Catering, Columbus, Ohio, we are dedicated to providing catered affairs which surpass our clients' highest expectations in all areas of taste, style and sustainable practices. We look forward to discussing your upcoming event and the many green possibilities.

Choosing the perfect food for your corporate event is an important decision and one that shouldn’t be left to chance. Sandman Gourmet Catering, a full service caterer in Columbus, Ohio providing extraordinary dining fare and services for every event, knows the essential role food plays in corporate meetings and events.

Meeting and event planners frequently find themselves organizing multiple events that include formal programs during the day and evening activities at night. When creating the agenda, many event planners look for ways to maximize their guests’ time and provide them with a delicious array of foods. Chef Rich Rores, president and owner of Sandman Gourmet, said whether you’re planning a small executive retreat or designing a national convention, pay close attention to every aspect of the menu. “Choose your caterer and food wisely and pay close attention to the details,” he said. “Not only do you want to serve quality, healthy foods, you also want to present them in the most appealing way for your attendees.”

Knowing the audience of your corporate event and asking the caterer for suggestions should always be near the top of the list. Chef Rores recommends including a few menu items that would satisfy everyone's palate. “If you're ordering box lunches with sandwiches, order a mix of meat and vegetarian choices, include a few salads and never be afraid to ask your caterer for advice.” He added that for the novice or experienced event planners, professional caterers can offer inspired suggestions of food selections and presentations.

Thoroughly understanding an event’s agenda is a must. For example, made-to-order omelets are great for an intimate morning awards ceremony, while meetings requiring note taking necessitates a more controlled food service environment. “Food should be in the background with no fuss for working meetings, but in the forefront for appreciation events,” he said.

Timing is the secret to every well-planned event but a tricky factor to control, especially when it comes to catering corporate events. “If ordering hot food, you need to time the delivery accordingly so that the food is delivered fresh and hot,” said Chef Rores. “If there is any question about dining times, order a box lunch that can be delivered ahead of time without the risk of compromising the quality of the food. Late food delivery will disrupt a meeting and disrupt meeting schedules.”

According to Chef Rores, the success of any corporate event is determined largely by the quality and presentation of the food. When offering his catering expertise for any event, he always recommends serving dining fare that gets the attention and satisfies the tastes of event guests. With food always being top-of-mind, Chef Rores suggests choosing a caterer who has a passion for food and its presentation. “When selecting a caterer, it’s important to do your research, check references and request a food sampling before making a final decision,” he said. He added that communication between caterers and clients is key to the success of any event. “Make sure you’re communicating your needs and vision clearly to the caterer, including any special dietary needs of the guests.” He added that a great caterer, however, will always be ready for any surprise that may surface.

Chef Rores said communication helps avoid surprises when planning a corporate event. “Be clear about your proposed menu, especially if you have a theme or style that needs to be reflected in the cuisine,” he said. "Because the type of food often determines the price of a catering job, knowing a client's budget helps establish how flexible a caterer can be in meeting their wish list." He recommends that clients ask the caterer in advance to provide a detailed contract of service and outline the terms of payment. According to Chef Rores, there are many factors that add up to a successful event including research, communication, planning and organization."

At Sandman Gourmet, we pride ourselves on presenting innovative concepts and memorable menu fare while maintaining time honored, and traditional techniques. We listen to our clients and help guide them in the planning and execution of fun and delicious events.”