How To

How to Select Food for a Bar Mitzvah

By eHow Parties & Entertaining Editor

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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

Step1
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.
Step2
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.
Step3
Use the Internet to find a caterer at Partypop.com (see Who Can Help below).
Step4
Make calls to local catering companies to get an idea of what is available in your area.
Step5
Schedule interviews with the top-three catering companies on your list.
Step6
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

Step1
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.
Step2
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.
Step3
Choose a selection of appetizers for the cocktail hour. You can have passed appetizers only or a mixture of passed and appetizer stations.
Step4
Select a plated entree or several entree choices for a buffet, as well as sides and a salad.
Step5
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.

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eHow Article: How to Select Food for a Bar Mitzvah

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