Tuesday, November 30, 2010

How To Buy Gourmet Appetizers Online

By Catherine Scott


If you are planning a party or wedding reception and do not want to spend the money on a caterer but do not have the time or knowledge to prepare the food yourself, you might want to buy gourmet appetizers online. It is a sure fire way to have great food for your party without having the headache of preparing it yourself.

The first thing you need to do is determine the budget that you have to work with. When you are planning any party or gathering, knowing what your budget will be is extremely important. This way you can be sure to plan accordingly for how much you will have available to spend on food. If the plan is to serve only gourmet appetizers, the average that is recommended by most party planners and guides is 7 per person.

The next thing that you must consider is your menu. If you are only going to serve appetizers, having a menu is still a good idea. If there is a theme to your party, you can often find appetizers coincide with that theme. Decide if you will want to serve hot or cold appetizers or both. A lot of the sites online will allow you to place an order based on the theme, the kind of event, or a specific type of food.

Next, you will want to find the website where you can order the appetizers from. Do a quick search on the Internet. While searching, you may find a group that is close enough to home that will allow you to pick up the food instead of having to pay for delivery or shipping. Sometimes you can also find codes online that will help you save more money.

Try to find sites that offer reviews of what others have said about the service and food. Review the site carefully to ensure they carry exactly the food you are looking to serve at your party. You may also be able to find recommendations of the site and the food when you search the Internet.

Look for a site that is known for its reliability and that offers overnight shipping at a reasonable price. This will help ensure that your appetizers will arrive fresh and on time for your party.

When your appetizers arrive, they will most likely be frozen. Be sure and follow the directions carefully when thawing them and, if applicable, when heating them. You will want to be careful so that you can be sure that the appetizers will be delicious and fresh when you serve them to your guests.

When you made the decision to buy gourmet appetizers online, you will be pleased by the large selection you will find. You can find gourmet popcorn, seafood appetizers and appetizers made of duck. Keep in mind that most appetizers will come in bulk, usually enough to serve at least 10 people, sometimes more. They are easy to freeze and will store well so if you have extras, you can easily them for your next gathering.




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