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5 Delicious Corporate Catering Menu Ideas for Your Seminars

August 23, 2022 Catering Tips No comments yet
5 Delicious Corporate Catering Menu Ideas for Your Seminars

Your corporate seminar is several weeks away, and now that you have completed the seminar’s agenda, it’s time to plan the catering. But there’s so many food options, leaving you scratching your head as to which foods could please everyone!

There’s already so many factors to consider when it comes to deciding on the right catering. There’s the number and profile of your participants, where the seminar is taking place, and even the atmosphere you want to create.

It’s also important for you to remember that catering is more than just food. It is all about the entire experience! So, if you’re considering corporate catering for a seminar, here are five delicious menu ideas that we recommend to make your event memorable:

1. Signature Ayam Buah Keluak

If there’s one thing that most seminars have in common is that they tend to last the entire day. And if you want the participants to attend the seminar with a feel-good feeling, you have to make sure that they are well-fed.

We recommend serving Signature Ayam Buah Keluak as part of your seminar’s corporate catering. Some participants will feel intrigued by this unique dish as the gravy is made from a blend of spices, cooked together with lemongrass and keluak nuts, giving it a savoury taste.

2. Thai Pineapple Rice with Chicken Floss

Most attendees will be looking forward to the lunch menu during a corporate seminar especially after enduring the morning session. And as Asians, rice is part of our staple food, so it’s only fitting to include this menu in your corporate catering.

We recommend Thai Pineapple Rice with Chicken Floss as the dish is bursting with flavours to wake and energize those attending the seminar. The tangy sweet pineapple works well with various seafood such as prawns and chicken. The chicken floss binds the flavours together, making the participants crave more.

3. Signature Kampong Fried Mee Siam

The good thing about corporate catering is that you get to supply a variety of menus to satiate the different palates. So even if rice isn’t something the participants are keen on having, you have an array of food alternatives for the participants. Which is why the Signature Kampong Fried Mee Siam shouldn’t be missed!

Typically garnished with a shredded omelette, scallions, and lime wedges, this stir-fried rice vermicelli is a delight to savour on its own. It is lighter and tastier, making it the ideal dish for the attendees who prefer something simple for lunch.

4. Pulut Hitam with Coconut Milk

You can never go wrong with serving Peranakan dessert at your seminar like Pulut Hitam with Coconut Milk. Some participants may appreciate the thought as you invite them into a world of unique dishes. It’s also one of the most popular Peranakan desserts in the region.

Made of black glutinous rice and coconut milk, this dessert is the equivalent of a rice porridge, making it ideal for your seminar’s tea break. Participants can choose whether to mix the coconut milk into the rice for a creamier texture or enjoy the dessert as it is.

5. Nonya Chap Chye with Mushroom

If your seminar is taking place over a full day, don’t forget that your participants need their fair share of vege from dishes like Nonya Chap Chye with Mushroom. It’s a simple stir-fried vegetable using taucheo and prawn stock.

It features sweet cabbage, cloud fungus, woodsy lily bud, tofu skin, and vermicelli, which absorb the rich flavours of the sauce to give participants a satisfying and flavour-filled dish.

Why Should You get Corporate Catering?

There are many reasons to have corporate catering for your seminars. Ultimately, you want to ensure the well-being of those who attend your seminar, especially for the first time. Corporate catering saves you plenty of time organising the meals and at the very least, the best catering is one that can create a memorable experience for the participants!

 To make planning your corporate catering easier, you can find, these recommended menu items in our Seminar Packages.  

About Chilli Manis

Chilli Manis, which means “sweet chilli” in the Indonesian language, is a halal buffet catering service in Singapore that seeks to showcase the best of Peranakan cuisine – dishes that have amalgamated signature flavours across Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian fares. It is also a subsidiary of Neo Group.

Ordering from Us

Over the years, Chilli Manis has become one of Singapore’s popular corporate buffet caterer, serving a wide array of regular buffet, mini buffet, bento sets and more that combines nostalgic Peranakan taste with a touch of modern influence.

Depending on what you order, you can enjoy as many as over ten types of dishes in one seating for your social gatherings or corporate events. You can explore our buffet menus on Chilli Manis’ website.

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5 Corporate Catering Tips for Your Next Office Gathering Singapore

June 27, 2022 Catering Tips No comments yet
corporate catering tips for office gathering in singapore

There’s no doubt that returning to the office after long periods of home isolation feels liberating. Although there are several downsides to working in the office during these challenging times, we are social beings that thrive on connections.

And one way for us to do that is by organising office gatherings to make up for the lost time and social connections due to COVID-19.

However, planning for your next office gathering in Singapore can be tedious. This is where we come in – to provide you with five corporate catering tips to ensure the success and longevity of your corporate world.

Tip 1: Get an estimate of the headcount

One of the first few things you need to make sure of when planning an office gathering is to get an estimate of the headcount. This is because it involves the amount of food that a halal corporate catering service has to prepare.

For a corporate buffet catering, you will need to quote at least 30 pax. Avoid underestimating the headcount because your caterer might not prepare enough food for last-minute attendees. Instead, it is better to overestimate the headcount to avoid unpleasant or awkward situations.

Tip 2: Analyse your corporate budget

There’s a reason your corporate budget matters when planning an office gathering. For instance, if you have a high budget, you can choose a corporate catering service that serves fine and unique dishes.

However, if your company has a tight budget, it is best to discuss with your management and caterer to find out the estimated cost and other related expenses. This can minimise the disparity in what your guests want to eat and what your caterer can prepare.

Tip 3: Decide on the theme for your office gathering

Like most social events with varying themes, corporate events also have various types like company milestones or team-building that dictate the theme and focus. If you plan for a team-building session, you can opt for a halal bento catering style, where the food is composed of a main and side dishes, along with a delicacy, packed in a lunch box. All of which fit for a single portion.  

However, formal corporate events like the company’s anniversary or a milestone achievement will require a different type of planning. This includes opting for halal corporate catering like Chilli Manis’ corporate buffet where more food can be served to a lot more people. This ensure that everyone invited to the event enjoys the food without any worry.

Tip 4: Self-serve buffet or waiters?

Choosing between a self-serve buffet and waiters can be difficult when planning a corporate event. However, it is one of the most important questions to ask your corporate caterer.

One way to ease your planning is to assess how busy the event will be so that you can decide between a self-serve buffet and waiters. If the event is solely open to your company, you might want to opt for a self-serve buffet, which will get people to interact with each other.

Tip 5: Consider the menu options

We Singaporeans are generally foodies at heart. The choice of food served during an event often dictates our presence. More so for corporate gatherings.

Here are some of the menu options that we can suggest for your next office gathering:

  • Bento catering – Ideal for office lunches or casual corporate events. Examples of menu that you can find at Chilli Manis are the Premium, Luxe, and Ultimate Bento.
  • Mini buffet – Ideal for small corporate events like team achievement. Examples of menu that you can find at Chilli Manis are the Peranakan, Classic and International Mini Buffet.
  • Corporate buffet – Ideal for formal gatherings like office events and large-scale company celebrations. Some of the menus you can opt for are the Peranakan and Classic Buffet.

If you are still considering hiring a corporate catering service in Singapore for your office gathering,be sure to read the Benefits of Availing Food Catering Services in Singapore. This will give you some insight into the world of halal corporate catering.

About Chilli Manis

Chilli Manis, which means “sweet chilli” in the Indonesian language, is a halal buffet catering service in Singapore that seeks to showcase the best of Peranakan cuisine – dishes that have amalgamated signature flavours across Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian fares. It is also a subsidiary of Neo Group.

Over the years, Chilli Manis has become one of Singapore’s popular Peranakan Buffet Caterer, serving a wide array of regular buffet, mini buffet, bento sets and more that combines nostalgic Peranakan taste with a touch of modern influence.

Depending on what you order, you can enjoy as many as over ten types of dishes in one seating for your social gatherings or corporate events. You can explore our buffet menus on Chilli Manis’ website.

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Peranakan Food in Singapore Eaten with Relish

April 18, 2022 Catering Tips No comments yet
Peranakan Food eaten with Relish in Singapore

Singapore is a hub of many cultures, and the Peranakan culture is one of them. In case you didn’t already know, the Peranakan culture is a mix of Chinese and Malay cultures. The cuisine is an amalgamation of Chinese dishes with a Malay twist.

The Peranakans were originally traders and merchants, but they became well-known for their fusion of Chinese and Malay cultures. The dishes that they created became a blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Portuguese, and Dutch influences.

If you are wondering where you can relish some Peranakan food or host a Peranakan food buffet catering in Singapore, we have got you covered! Keep reading to understand why you should enjoy this unique cuisine.

Why Should I Relish in Peranakan Food in Singapore? 

There are many reasons for you to relish Peranakan food in Singapore, especially if you have never had Peranakan food before. You will be taken aback by the flavours, some of which may be difficult for you to recreate at home, even if you have the recipe for the dishes.

That said, here are several reasons to get you started on your Peranakan food experience:

  1. You get to appreciate the cultural background
  2. You get to relish in diverse flavours
  3. You get to discover regional variations
  4. You get to savour the freshest ingredients

1.  You get to appreciate the cultural background 

As we pointed out earlier, Peranakan food is a fusion of Chinese and Malay cuisine. It is also known as Nonya food due to the Peranakans’ mixed ancestry of Malay and Chinese heritage.

Being one of the most popular cuisines in Singapore, Nonya cuisine has been in existence for centuries, making it one of the most well-known cuisines in Southeast Asia, with some dishes having become famous internationally.

With such a cultural background to the dishes, you get to appreciate and relive the best part that history has made possible – the food.

 2. You get to relish in diverse flavours 

Since Peranakan food is a unique fusion combining Chinese ingredients with Malay spices and cooking techniques, the flavours should not come as a surprise. You can call it unique and full of spices, or better yet, flavourful.

The flavours that each Peranakan dish produce differs based on the ingredients used as well as the spices. For instance, a Peranakan food buffet catering may replace the ingredients due to the lack of availability or even based on your food preference while considering your food restrictions.

This allows you to relish in the diverse flavours that each Peranakan food has to offer, leaving you wanting more.

 3. You get to discover regional variations 

No two Peranakan food are the same as each dish is an interpretation based on the preferred flavours, chef’s ingredients, and region. Thus, making Peranakan food is especially unique with many variations.

That said, there are several variations to the Laksa with Laksa Lemak being a variation that we Singaporeans are familiar with, while the tangy Assam Laksa is a variation that most Malaysian Peranakans are familiar with.

Other famous Peranakan dishes include Ayam Buah Keluak and Nonya Kueh. With the abundance of variations for Peranakan food, it is an experience that you would not want to miss out on.

4.  You get to savour the freshest ingredients 

Peranakan cuisine is not fast food; it takes a high level of patience to prepare the ingredients. To ensure that the meat and seafood properly absorb the essential spices, they must be freshly sourced and marinated for many hours before they can be cooked.

The same goes for spices. Fresh spices are sourced to ensure the strong Peranakan flavour seeps into the meat and seafood. For most halal catering services, the ones preparing the dishes will often use a mortar and pestle to grind some of the ingredients such as lemongrass, ginger, and turmeric root that give Peranakan food its strong and distinct flavour.

Keen to relish Peranakan food in Singapore?  

Consider engaging a Peranakan food catering service to create a unique experience for you and your family. Besides, you’ll be introduced to new flavours that may leave you wanting more.

The best caterer can balance the quality as well as the presentation of the food while delivering the best value for your money. When you choose a Peranakan food catering service from Chilli Manis, you’ll have a variety of dishes and side menu items to choose from.

As a halal-certified caterer, we seek to present the best Peranakan food catering service in Singapore. Keen to try our food catering service? Contact us at 6250 1112 or email sales@chillimanis.com.sg.

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Benefits of Availing Food Catering Services in Singapore

January 8, 2022 Catering Tips No comments yet
Benefits of Food Catering Services in Singapore -1-

We all know what it is like to host an event, big or small, without the help of a food catering service in Singapore. It can be a well-planned one because you have other people helping you or it can have lots of ups and downs because you are the only person in charge of the entire event and you have to ensure that everything goes as planned.

Instead of handling the event all by yourself, availing a food catering service in Singapore will help reduce your responsibilities and give you time to organise other aspects of your event. Besides, there are several benefits to availing food catering services which we will discuss below.

1. You get professional guidance

When you are tasked to plan an event, say for your company’s dinner, which usually only happens once a year, you may have little experience with hosting one. This means you can be caught off guard by an unexpected task or become unaware of what to do when problems arise.

Meanwhile, partnering with a food catering service can help prevent any mishaps during the event because they often know what can happen and anticipate it. Also, planning the amount of food for a large group of people can be challenging as you need to know how much food is needed. For the catering company, it’ll be a piece of cake.

2. You get to save time

Planning for a memorable event takes time as there are plenty of moving parts you have to plan for and anticipate. This includes selecting the venue, choosing the menu, sending out the invites, and getting the total headcount of attendees. If you become unsure about what is exactly needed during the planning, it can be a steep learning curve.

Partnering with a food catering service for your event will save you time and ease the stress of hosting. It also gives you one less thing to organise so that you can focus on other aspects of your event. Instead of you serving the guests and worrying about the food, you can take the time to relax and socialise at the event.

3. You get to save money

Food caterers are experts at making large quantities of meals. As such, they know where to source their ingredients and exactly how much food to make. If you tried preparing all of the same amount of food, odds are you will be spending a lot more and misjudge the amount, costing you the event’s reputation and actual food costs.

Rather than landing yourself in hot water over the cost of the event, availing a food catering service can be cost-effective. After all, they are experts at planning for special dietary needs and preparing food in an environment that prevents cross-contamination, so that those with food allergies are safe.

4. You get to reduce stress

Unless you are an expert at planning for events, the anxiety and stress that comes with event planning are inevitable because you want every aspect of the event to be perfect. Because an event is usually considered a success when people tell you that the food is great, the music is good, etc.

By hiring a food catering service in Singapore, you get to reduce some of the stress and anxiety that come with event planning. You may even get to enjoy the event instead of worrying about all the little details.

5. You get a professional setup

Part of a great dining experience is the presentation and food catering companies always excel at this. When you hire a food catering service in Singapore, you can rest assured that your food presentation will be served in a way that will appeal to all of your guests.

With the benefits above, availing a food catering service seems like a more reasonable option than handling the event all on your own.

 Keen to try a food catering service for your event in Singapore? 

Availing a food catering service for your event will create a memorable experience for you and your guests. On top of that, you get to socialise with more people by introducing new flavours that may leave your guests wanting more.

The best caterer can balance the quality as well as the presentation of the food while delivering the best value for your money. When you choose a food buffet catering service from Chilli Manis, you will have a variety of dishes and side menu items to choose from.

As a halal-certified caterer, we seek to present the best food catering service in Singapore. Keen to try our food catering service? Contact us at 6250 1112 or email sales@chillimanis.com.sg.

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Celebrating Christmas with a Mini Buffet Catering in Singapore

December 6, 2021 Catering Tips, Meal Ideas No comments yet
Celebrating Christmas with Mini Buffet Catering in Singapore

It’s the season to be jolly, falalala lalalala~ Christmas is coming but due to the new norm, we can only have a mini festive celebration to mark the year-end holidays and new year as the daily number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore continue to remain above the 1,000 mark.

While the current situation may dampen your holiday spirits, it doesn’t have to be that way because you can organise a mini buffet catering for your family and/or friends at home to celebrate the festive season without risking everyone’s exposure to the virus. 

More so if you want to host a small gathering at home but dislike the idea of having to deal with the mountain of dishes that comes with cooking up a feast for your guests. As such, opting for a food catering service is your best solution.

Let’s take a look at why you should have a mini buffet catering for your Christmas gathering along with some of the food catering menu ideas you can opt to have in your mini buffet, including Chilli Manis’ 2021 Christmas Menu.

Benefits of Having a Mini Buffet Catering 

No small gathering is complete without a mini buffet catering, especially during this Christmas season. Here’s why you should opt for a mini buffet catering:

1. Buffet-style catering can save cost

Good food typically cost more than the average price. More so for the ones served in individual packaging because a portion of what you’re paying goes to the packaging such as containers and plastic wraps. Also, some caterers tend to include the amount of labour that goes into preparing individually-packed meals.

A mini buffet with food catering, on the other hand, is more cost-savvy when compared to plated, family-style, and station meal options. The food catering service can be packed a dish into one or two packaging, which reduces the use of numerous food packaging. You only need to serve them according to your liking.

2. You or your guests get to be picky

When it comes to food, everyone has the tendency to be picky about their food, including the elderly and grown adults like us. For instance, you have elderly parents who tend to be picky about their vegetables while your children may be picky about having some of the dishes being put on their plate.

Instead of having to fulfil everyone’s food palate, a mini buffet catering with some changes to the dishes will surely be a delightful experience. After all, your guests get to choose which dish they want to eat and will be glad that they’re given the freedom to do so.

3. You or your guests can have seconds

Different from plated, family-style, and station meal options, having a mini buffet catering for your Christmas gathering allows your guests to have seconds. This is because some caterers tend to provide extra food in case your guests show up at the last minute.

Even if some of your guests fail to show up, you and your other guests get to have multiple stomach-filling meals during your gathering. And at the end of the day, you and your guests will remember it as an eventful experience amid this pandemic.

 Meal Ideas for Mini Buffet for Christmas 

There are various meal ideas for your Christmas mini buffet, some of which include a whole roast turkey or chicken, and a log cake – symbolic of the festive season. If you prefer meal ideas with a touch of Peranakan flavour, Chilli Manis has got you covered with its Christmas Mini Buffet Menu below:

 Manis Christmas Peranakan Mini Buffet 

This Christmas menu offers eight courses featuring Peranakan buffet, which can cater for a minimum of 10 pax. Among the dishes that you can choose from are Seafood Nonya Fried Rice, Nonya Chap Chye with Mushroom, Signature Ayam Buah Keluak, Steamed Assam Sambal Fish, Udang Goreng Assam, and more!

 Allure Mini Buffet 

Unlike the previous Christmas menu, the Allure Mini Buffet offers nine courses featuring some of Chilli Manis’ best dishes, which can cater for a minimum of 10 pax. Some of the dishes you can choose for your mini buffet catering include Spicy Pumpkin Prawn, Breaded Scallop, Signature Homemade Salmon Otah, and more!

 Merriment Mini Buffet 

The Merriment Mini Buffet offers eight courses that can cater for a minimum of 15 pax. Choose from Chilli Manis’ Exclusive menu for a unique mini buffet experience or the Enchanted Crackling Fireplace for the full Christmas experience with its Classic Roasted Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing and Salmon Wellington from Santa’s Party Favourites.

The best part about this mini buffet menu is that you get a Free Petite Chocolate Ganache Yule Log (500g) worth $32.80 when you order any of the Christmas Menu by December 3, 2021.

 Keen to celebrate Christmas with a mini buffet catering in Singapore?  

Hosting a mini buffet for Christmas reduces all the hard work that goes into preparing them personally. You also get to spend more time enjoying the food with your loved ones. With almost no dishes to wash, a mini buffet catering for your Christmas will likely be a magical one.

The best caterer can balance the quality as well as the presentation of the food while delivering the best value for your money. When you choose a food catering service from Chilli Manis, you will have a variety of dishes and side menu items to choose from.

As a halal-certified caterer, we seek to present the best mini buffet catering service in Singapore. Keen to try our food catering service? Contact us at 6250 1112 or email sales@chillimanis.com.sg.

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Getting a Buffet Caterer to Help Your Event Run Smoothly

September 29, 2021 Catering Tips No comments yet
mini buffet catering service

Are you planning to host an event for your family or friends? Do you know what it takes to hold both formal and informal events such as a company dinner or birthday celebrations?

If you do, you will know that there are many aspects to consider for your event to be a success. This includes finding a venue, getting the suitable deco, extending the invitations, hiring a buffet caterer – all of which requires proper planning and execution.

Among the tasks mentioned, food preparation is the most important aspect of any event because everyone appreciates good food. However, it is also the most tedious part because you will need to hire the right buffet caterer to help out with the preparation and serving.

In this article, we will share how you can find the right buffet caterer for your event along with the advantages and drawbacks of hiring a buffet caterer. On top of that, we will discuss buffet style catering service at Chilli Manis.

How to Find the Right Buffet Caterer?

Pulling off a successful buffet involves a lot of decision-making and communication between you (as the host) and your caterer. The following are some tips on how you can find the right buffet caterer in Singapore.

1. Decide on a theme – Once you have decided on a theme for your event, it will be a whole lot easier to plan your buffet catering around it. Buffet caterers like Chilli Manis offer two types of buffet menu options such as Mini Buffet and Full Buffet.

2. Choose the dishes – When your caterer offers a diverse range of dishes, it can be hard to narrow them down. What you can do is select a buffet menu style that complements your theme and choose the dishes under each category.

3. Consider special dietary requirements – Every guest you invite will have a unique dietary requirement, so you should consider hiring a Halal-certified caterer. This is to ensure that all your guests have a good time at your event, even if they’re vegan.

4. Estimate the headcount – This will not be easy but having an estimation of the headcount will come in handy to ensure that every guest has something to eat. Besides, they can go for seconds if there’s extra food.

What are the Pros and Cons of Having a Buffet Caterer?

For most events, 50% of the budget usually goes to the food! This is how important it is to have the right caterer for your event. If you have a hard time deciding whether you should hire a buffet caterer, here are the pros and cons of having one.

Advantage 1: Buffet style catering helps to save cost
Buffets are typically the cheaper option if you compare them to plated, family-style, and station meal options for your event. This is because some caterers tend to include the time taken to plate the food and serve them individually. Ask your caterer to be sure.

Advantage 2: Your guests can have seconds
Unlike plated, family-style, and station meal options, buffet-style catering allows your guests to have seconds. In a way, you get to ensure that your guests had a fulfilling meal and an eventful experience.

Advantage 3: Your guests get to be picky
Everyone tends to be picky about their food. In this case, buffet-style catering allows your guests to be picky and choose what they want to eat. Besides, your guests will be glad to know that they are given the freedom to choose what they eat.

Drawback 1: Food wastage
If you attended a buffet-style event before, you will know that there tend to be leftovers. You can discuss with your caterer ahead of time what you both can do if there are leftovers. They can box up any remaining food and distribute it to whoever wants them.

Drawback 2: Cold food
Good food is best eaten off the stove or fresh out of the oven. But, with buffet-style catering, this idea is quite far-fetched if you have a large number of guests waiting for their turn to get the food. The best-case scenario you can hope for is that the food still tastes as good once it is cold.

Drawback 3: Hectic serving style
If too many people go up to get their food at once, it can sometimes be hectic. What you can do is to get your guests to get up according to their tables or set up an extra serving station to keep the lines at a minimum.

What are the Buffet-style Catering Services Available at Chilli Manis?

There are various buffet catering ideas on the internet – each of which differs depending on your caterer. At Chilli Manis, we offer two types of buffet catering services – mini and full buffets.

Mini Buffet
Our mini buffet is great for a party of 10 to 15 pax, making it perfect for a small family or friends gathering. You also have three menu options namely the Peranakan Mini Buffet, Classic Mini Buffet, and International Mini Buffet.

Full Buffet
The full buffet is great for all celebrations as it can cater to up to 50 pax. Similar to our Mini Buffet, you also have three menu options namely the Regular Buffet, Peranakan Buffet, and International Buffet.

Looking for the right mini buffet catering service for your gathering or event in Singapore?

Selecting mini buffet catering services for your event will not be as easy as it looks. Every gathering or event is different so you want to make sure that your caterer can meet your needs and requirements.

The best caterer can balance the quality as well as the presentation of the food while delivering the best value for your money. When you choose a catering service from Chilli Manis, you’ll have a variety of dishes and side menu items to choose from.

As a halal-certified caterer, we seek to present the best mini buffet catering service in Singapore. Keen to try our food catering service? Contact us at 6250 1112 or email sales@chillimanis.com.sg.

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3 Tips to Cut Your Food Catering Cost

August 23, 2021 Catering Tips No comments yet
Buffet Culinary Food Meal | Chilli Manis

Planning for large social gatherings or business events can be both exciting and stressful, especially when food is involved because people love to eat but the type of food catered can affect your budget.

Between all the diverse tastes and special diets, it can be overwhelming as you have to consider a variety of aspects from the catering menu, beverage selection, equipment, and any food-related logistics for your event – all of which can affect your catering cost.

Even if you have a limited budget for the event, you don’t want to skimp too much on your food catering as it’s one of the most remembered parts of any event.

In this article, we will share three tips on how to cut food catering costs to help you get the most out of your budget along with some food catering ideas that you can select from Chilli Manis.

Tip 1: Discuss your budget with the food caterer

Food catering services in Singapore usually have peak and off-peak seasons, which can be of great advantage when you’re planning for a large gathering or business event. This is because the cost of hiring a professional food caterer tend to be highest during peak seasons such as the holidays or vacation months.

Organising your event during the off-peak seasons will give you room to discuss your budget with various food caterers since there will be stiff competition on which food catering company can offer the best services within your budget. Besides, they can suggest alternatives that lower costs and give the best value for your money.

Tip 2: Avoid serving plated meals

Serving plated meals for your business event or social gathering is by far the priciest of all catering styles. While it may make your event look fancy and luxurious, it can add a financial burden because of the amount of effort it takes to pull this serving style off. You will also need to hire extra waiting staff to serve food to your guests at their allocated stations.

Instead of serving plated meals, you can opt for alternatives such as food stations or buffet style catering. Not only will you be able to serve local favourites to your guests, but you also get to save money by doing this at a fraction of the cost.

Tip 3: Serve seasonal comfort foods

Offering seasonal foods during your social gathering or business event will usually cost less than opting for out of season foods. This is simply because vendors factor in other expenses such as procurement cost, transportation fees, and value-added taxes in reselling out of season foods.

Rather than introducing out of season foods that may not be suitable for your gathering or event, serving seasonal comfort foods will ensure that each of your guests has a memorable time during the event. Besides, you get to reduce food wastage.

With these three tips, you can certainly host a gathering, be it small or large, formal or informal with less hassle at a lower cost. Moving forward, let’s take a look at the food catering ideas available at Chilli Manis.

Food Catering Ideas and Cost

As one of the food catering services in Singapore, we offer a diverse range of menu options to cater for any style of event or gathering at affordable rates. For large social gatherings or business events involving more than 20 people, we have several menu categories that can meet your catering needs and requirements:

Executive Bento

As the name suggests, meals under this menu category are packed in disposable microwavable containers for convenience and easy distribution, making them ideal for small corporate events or business lunches.

There are four types of bento meals offered under this category with the first being Peranakan Box – Classic Nonya which costs $10 per box while the Premium Bento costs $10.50 per set. If you want more variation, the Luxe Bento offers eight menu selections at $12.50 per set while the Ultimate Bento has seven menu selections at $15.50 per set.

Full Buffet

Under this menu category, the meals offered can be curated to fit your budget or impress your guests during special celebrations like birthdays, weddings, and housewarming parties. Ranging from Asian Delights Buffet to Peranakan Signatures and International Buffets, each menu selection comes in 8 to 13 different courses starting from $14 per pax.

High Tea/Cocktail

There’s a common perception that you have to serve full-course meals during special events. While it’s a general suggestion, high tea or cocktail party has become more common, making it the perfect food catering idea for a small housewarming party or just to catch up with your family friends.

With two types of menu selection – Light Tea Reception and Deluxe Tea Reception – that comes in 3 to 10 different courses starting from $4 per pax, you can still host a high tea at a lower cost.

Seminar Packages

Aside from catering for social gatherings and small business events, we also cater for large events like seminars, training sessions, and workshops. Choose from our Full Day or Half Day menu selection with rates starting from $21 per pax.

Looking for the right food catering service for your gathering or event in Singapore?

Choosing a food catering service for your event is not as easy as it looks. Every gathering or event is different so you want to make sure that your caterer can meet your needs and requirements.

The best caterer can balance the quality as well as the presentation of the food while delivering the best value for your money. When you choose a food catering service from Chilli Manis, you’ll have a variety of dishes and side menu items to choose from.As a halal-certified caterer, we seek to present the best food catering service in Singapore. Keen to try our food catering service? Contact us at 6250 1112 or email sales@chillimanis.com.sg.

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Benefits of Having A Halal Buffet Catering at Planned Events

August 21, 2020 Catering Tips No comments yet

Planning a family or corporate buffet event comes with great responsibility – and an equal amount of stress as well!

Among many other things like decoration, event set-up or simply getting the timing right, a successful event or gathering often falls on the food to make it either a success or a flop!

When it comes to an event’s food, however, it isn’t as simple as just putting some food on the table. You need to think of the quantity needed, the expected preference of your guests, the buying, cooking & cleaning, dietary needs and etc.

Therefore, when it comes to food options for events and gatherings, it’s always a safer choice to have a form of buffet spread prepared by a caterer, especially if you’re in needed of a halal-cerfified food provider that you can trust.

After all, it’s always wise to consider the religious and cultural backgrounds of your guests.

If you’re still debating whether you need a halal buffet caterer for your next gathering or event have a look at some of the unexpected benefits below:

1. Greater variety of foods

One of the biggest benefits of a halal buffet catering is its possibility for variety.

More often than not, plated meals limit your guests’ choices of the dishes they prefer and the dishes they’d like to avoid.

However, a buffet gives them access to an ample spread of delicious dishes, each prepared according to their liking even you are throwing in a mini buffet catering.

2. More chances to move and mingle

If you like your event to be personal and involve socialisation, consider choosing buffets instead of plated meals!

With plated meals, people tend to stay at their tables while the food is brought to them.

With buffets, they move around and have an opportunity to interact with other guests and socialise just that much more!

3. Wow your guests with a special touch

If you’re interested in making your event or gathering more exciting, you can always request for a feature like a live food station!

This can be a centerpiece that can highlight your event and give your guests something to remember by! Adding a food station not only expands the food options, but provides another place for guests to gather and chat.

4. It can be more economical than you think

While buffets can be thought as an expensive affair, they’re often less expensive than plated meals in reality! Depending on the value that your halal buffet catering provider gives you, dishes could be made in bulk and don’t have to be separately plated and presented – this can often eliminate costs from the catering and translates into savings from your end! A buffet setting also eliminates the cost of extra serving staff!

5. Allowance for dietary restrictions

With a buffet spread, you can choose dishes base on the dietary restrictions for different guests. This way, you will have a good buffet spread containing something to everyone.

You can also sit back and discuss with your caterer about the menu items that will suit guests of particular demographics, age-group, and social background to ensure that your event gets appreciated for a nice food spread.

Choose Chilli Manis as your next halal buffet caterer

If you’re now considering a halal buffet catering service for your next event or gathering, you’re in luck!

Word of advice, do not plan things last minute.

As one of Singapore’s premier halal caterer, Chilli Manis boasts flavours that cover from classic, peranakan to international dishes!

You and your guests will be spoilt for choice when it comes to flavours.

And of course, Chilli Manis is halal certified. Our Executive Chef, Serene Hoh has been serving the industry for over 36 years.

Drop us a call at 6250 1112 to make a booking now!

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Last Minute Party Planning Catering Tips

July 7, 2020 Catering Tips No comments yet

When it comes to planning for an event, you will usually take the time to plan and ensure that everything goes smoothly. From the choice of venue to the number of guests, and most importantly, the food. After all, what is a party without good food?

But there are times when you’ll have to plan a party at the last minute. The stress that comes with it may make you feel like giving up on the party entirely, but fret not! One way of managing the stress is to focus on a party’s most important aspect – the food!

As Singapore enters Phase Two of the country’s post-Circuit Breaker, the government is allowing small-group gatherings of up to five persons while households may receive up to five visitors per day. This is the good news that you have been waiting for. You can finally catch up with your friends!

If you’re still wary of gathering outside the house, why not gather your friends and throw a party at home? But after months of being home and dealing with chores, you might feel that planning for one will be too much of a hassle.

So, what if you can make use of food catering services in Singapore to ease the headache of last-minute planning? You will also get to spend a bit more time with your invited guests and enjoy a variety of food prepared by the caterer without having to do the clean-up afterwards.

4 Tips on Planning Food Catering in Singapore

Here are some tips to simplify the planning of a last-minute party with a caterer.

  1. Setting a timeline

Although you are planning for a last-minute party, setting a timeline will get the party going in a smooth and coordinated manner. Ask yourself some questions to rid of the uncertainties. How much time do you have until the party? Which food catering service to look for? Creating a checklist will also help in ensuring that you will not miss out on any of the important matter.

  1. Deciding on the venue

In these trying times, there are limited places where you can gather. One of it being at your house which you will not need to worry about finding and booking a venue. Your guests will also get a peace of mind knowing that you are hosting the party at a location that is safe. It is the ideal venue for a small and private party. Additionally, you only need to worry about the food catering service not being able to find your house.

  1. Preparation of food

Planning for a last-minute party will require you to prepare for some limitations such as the availability of menu and food preparation. Bear in mind that some ingredients may not be readily available but give your caterer the benefit of doubt as they strive to meet your requests in short notice. Also, be rest assured that your food caterer will abide by the necessary precautions set by the government during this tough times.

  1. Be flexible

Nothing is perfect. As the saying goes, your last-minute party plans may not be carried out as smooth as you want due to some constraints. If you have another plan, you should be prepared to execute it within the shortest time. Besides, you will want to enjoy the party instead of pondering over what could have been done.

If you are looking to host a last-minute party, Chilli Manis will be able to provide an SOS Buffet Express service depending on your number of guests. The service delivery can be done within three hours of your order confirmation.

So, give us a call at (65) 6250 1112 to order right away!

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3 Healthy Bento Set Meal Ideas For Your Work Lunch

June 23, 2020 Catering Tips, Meal Ideas No comments yet

When one mentions delivery packed lunch or Bento, you think of variety. Quality. Convenience.

What about healthy? Well, truth to be told, Bento set meal are rarely thought as healthy and nutritious. After all, we don’t get to choose what’s served and how the food is cooked!

bento meals

That thinking is now a thing of the past. More and more Singaporeans are moving towards eating healthy, or eating clean as they call it. Naturally, this has influenced how caterers create their menu and prepare their dishes.

Food service providers nationwide are adopting their menus accordingly to healthier standards. So, if you’re planning to order bento set meal as a team in the office or for family, here are 3 healthy Bento set meal ideas you should expect from your future caterer:

1. Have your proteins baked & grilled over deep-fried 

It’s hard to imagine a catered meal without a deep-fried dish. Of course, we Singaporeans love our fried chicken or fried fish. Unsurprisingly, these can contribute to our waistline if not eaten in moderation!

To go easy on the calories, you should look to your caterer’s menu for the option of choosing baked dishes instead of having it deep-fried. For example, baked fish is just as tasty as deep-fried fish fillets, but can come with up to 25% less calories! Less oil. Less fats – and less carcinogenic as well!

Another great alternative is to have your proteins grilled instead, especially when it comes to chicken! Fried chicken may be a safe and staple option on many menus, but grilled chicken can deliver the same delicious flavour while avoiding the deep fryer.

2. Insist on caterers who use fresh, quality ingredients 

There’s no easier way to make sure you’re eating healthy than to ensure your caterer sources their ingredients from trustable suppliers.

Why? It is simple – food tastes and is at their nutritional best when it is fresh!

Today, the over-processing of our ingredients have brought down their nutritional values. From freeze-drying, canning or using extensive preservative, these methods of making ingredients last longer are also making them unhealthy!

So, look out for caterer with menus that happily feature fresh ingredients, especially when it comes to vegetables. Dishes that feature local favorites like Kai Lan, long beans or ladies fingers are known to be delicious and healthy when prepared at their fresh best!

3. Always maintain your fill of fresh vegetables and fruits 

It is hardly new advice, but it is just as important as ever – getting your fill of vegetables and fruits can go a long way to ensure your meal is up to any healthy standards.

Ask any doctor (or mothers) out there, and they will tell you that getting the daily recommended portion of fresh fruits and vegetables is often touted but never practiced. We often place the blame on busyness or just forgetting to add them into our meals – that is where a catered meal can sometimes lend a helping hand.

Think your Bento set meals at a restaurant – they’re often served with a a side of salad and fruits, right? That is the magic of having your fruits and vegetables planned beforehand in your food – and you should expect your caterer to feature fresh fruits and vegetables in every menu they offer!

 When it comes to healthy, Chilli Manis’s Bento set meals have you covered 

Family gatherings deserve your full celebration without the guilt of eating unhealthy! With a healthy and hearty mix of dishes, Chilli Manis’s Bento sets can offer the best of both worlds when it comes to eating clean and delighting your taste buds.

From our catered Bento sets to a weekly corporate Bento meal plan, our Classic, Peranakan or International dishes are made with flexibility in mind for your healthy eating needs and are made with only the best and freshest ingredients. You can also be sure to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables with every Bento. Book now!

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