How to Select Food for a Bar Mitzvah

Your son's bar mitzvah is a festive day, and you want every aspect of the party to be perfect. Select delicious food and a great menu that will leave your guests satisfied and impressed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Choose a Caterer

1. Decide where you are going to hold the bar mitzvah party, since this may limit your choice of caterers. If the party is at the synagogue, chances are you'll need a kosher caterer. Venues like restaurants, banquet halls, hotels and museums may require you to use their in-house caterers or ask you to select from a list of preferred caterers.
2. Ask family, friends and synagogue members for recommendations. If you've recently been to a bar mitzvah with great food, ask the hosts for a referral.
3. Use the Internet to find a caterer at Partypop.com (see Who Can Help below).
4. Make calls to local catering companies to get an idea of what is available in your area.
5. Schedule interviews with the top-three catering companies on your list.
6. Obtain a proposal from each company and compare them to find the best solution for your catering needs. Pay close attention to wine and liquor costs, rentals and extra charges like service and gratuity.

Select a Menu

7. Decide on your budget for the bar mitzvah food. Catering prices are quoted per head and can include drinks, appetizers and desserts, as well as entrees.
8. Consider having different menus for children and adults. Think about having simple, easy-to-eat finger foods for children and traditional, plated or buffet meals for adults.
9. Choose a selection of appetizers for the cocktail hour. You can have passed appetizers only or a mixture of passed and appetizer stations.
10. Select a plated entree or several entree choices for a buffet, as well as sides and a salad.
11. Select a decadent dessert or let your guests choose from a dessert buffet. Some families have a special bar mitzvah cake served as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider any dietary restrictions your guests might have when planning the menu, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable.
• The more add-ons you make to the menu, the higher the price. However, as your guest list gets bigger, the price per head goes down.
• You may want to provide a vegetarian option for non-meat-eaters or those who keep kosher.
• Many catering companies have Web sites with menus to browse. You may even be able to get initial quotes or schedule appointments online.

Who Can Help:

• Find Decorators & Designers Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.