Why BBQ is the Smart Choice for Your Company Holiday Party
Planning a company holiday party can be like herding cats, except the cats have opinions about the venue, strong feelings about the music, and dietary restrictions you didn’t know existed until three days before the event.
And then there’s the food.
Look, turkey and ham are great. Classic. Reliable. Your coworkers will eat them without complaint. But here’s the thing: by the time December rolls around, most people have already had turkey at Thanksgiving, will have it again at their family Christmas, and possibly at their in-laws’ place for good measure. It’s not that they don’t like turkey, it’s that they’re turkey’d out.
Which brings us to BBQ.
No, we’re not trying to compete with Dad’s famous turkey recipe or Grandma’s honey-glazed ham. We’re just saying: maybe your company holiday party is the perfect opportunity to give people something different. Something they’re not getting at every other holiday gathering this season. Something that actually feels special instead of… expected.
So let’s talk about why BBQ might be the move for your company holiday party this year.
The Problem With Playing It Safe
We get it, turkey is the safe option. Who doesn’t love turkey? I mean, at least who complains about turkey? I mean, people eat it, for sure. But if we are being honest, that’s because it’s there. And half the attendees are already on their second or third turkey dinner of the season. The other half are thinking, “This tastes like every turkey dinner I have had lately.”
Again, turkey isn’t bad. Ham isn’t bad. They’re just… predictable. And when you’re trying to show your team some appreciation, boost morale, or just give people a reason to show up to the party, predictable might not be what you’re going for.
Plus, here’s the thing about traditional holiday dinners: everyone’s family does them differently. Some people grew up with ham. Others swear by prime rib. Trying to recreate family tradition at a work event is impossible because there are literally dozens of versions of what “traditional” means.
BBQ sidesteps this entire situation. It’s not trying to be anyone’s family recipe. It’s just really good smoked meat.
The Thing Nobody Tells You About Company Holiday Parties
People remember the food.
Not always in the way you’d expect. They might not remember exactly what was served at last year’s party, but they remember how they felt about it. Was it just… there? Or was it actually something they looked forward to eating?
Most company holiday parties are fine. Decorations are nice. Music is acceptable. Food is present. People show up, eat, maybe have a drink, exchange pleasantries, and leave. It’s not bad. It’s just not particularly memorable.
But when you serve something that’s genuinely good and a little unexpected? That’s what people talk about. That’s the party that becomes “remember when they had Chad’s cater and everyone went back for seconds?” instead of “remember when we had that party at that place?”
We’re not saying BBQ will magically transform your event into the party of the year (that’s on you to handle the Jim from Accounting playlist situation). But we are saying it’s one of those small decisions that can actually make a difference in how your team experiences the party.
BBQ is perfect for the holidays.
Yeah, we know. BBQ sounds like a summer thing. Cookouts, warm weather, eating outside while someone’s manning the grill. But think about what you actually crave when it’s cold outside: Rich, hearty, stick-to-your-ribs food (pun intended). Something warm and substantial. Food that feels like a hug in meal form.
That’s literally what we do.
Brisket that’s been in the smoker for 12 hours? That’s winter comfort food. Pulled pork that falls apart? Yep. Ribs with that perfect bark? Absolutely. Mac and cheese that’s creamy and indulgent? Come on!
These aren’t light summer foods. They’re exactly what you want when the temperature drops and you need something that’s going to warm you up from the inside.
Bonus: A lot of our sides ARE holiday sides for many people. Mac and cheese shows up at plenty of holiday tables. Same with collard greens. So you’re giving folks that familiar holiday feeling without just reheating what they had at Thanksgiving dinner last month.
BBQ has a universal appeal factor.
One of the best things about BBQ for a company holiday party? It’s really hard to disappoint people.
Here’s who BBQ works for:
- The meat lovers (obviously)
- The picky eaters (smoked meat is straightforward, no weird sauces or surprise ingredients)
- The vegetarians (load up on mac and cheese, collards, coleslaw, baked beans)
- The carb-watchers (pile on the protein, skip the sides)
- The people who just want to eat a lot (no judgment, it’s a party)
- The people who want to eat a little (build your own plate, take what you want)
Unlike a plated dinner, where everyone gets the same thing whether they like it or not, BBQ spreads are universally loved. People can build their own plates based on what they actually want to eat instead of politely pushing around the things they don’t. It’s the most “choose your own adventure” style of catering, which is kind of perfect for feeding a group of people with wildly different preferences.
What Chad’s Can Do For Your Company Holiday Party
Alright, practical stuff. Here’s what we’re working with: We’ve got options that scale from small team gatherings to full company events:
- Family Meals for smaller groups (feeds 3-4, 5-6, or 10-12 people)
- Catering packages with easy-to-choose proteins, sides, and prices
- À la carte options if you want to build your own spread or add to packages
Got something specific in mind? Talk to us. We work with companies all the time to figure out exactly what you need based on your budget, number of people, dietary restrictions, and preferences.
Planning a company holiday party is already on your to-do list, along with approximately 47 other things that need to happen before the end of the year. The food should be the easy part.
So here’s what we’re proposing: Let us handle the food. You handle everything else. Pretty straightforward, right?
If you want to start planning your company holiday party, give us a call or check out our full catering menu to see what we have to offer. Happy planning. May your company holiday party be the one people actually show up to (and remember for good reasons).
P.S. If anyone asks why you went with BBQ instead of turkey, just tell them you’re giving everyone a break from turkey fatigue. They’ll get it.
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