10 Foods to Best Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

10 Foods to Best Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

by | May 3, 2022 | Event Catering, Events, Holiday

If you’re a party planner and love to host events, Cinco de Mayo is the perfect occasion to whip out your best crockery and show off your catering/ hosting skills.

The traditional Mexican holiday that falls on May 5th each year commemorates the Battle of Puebla. The Mexican army defeated French adversaries during the Franco-Mexican War, and today, this achievement is known as Cinco de Mayo.

In today’s day and age, one of the best ways to celebrate this auspicious occasion is with traditional Mexican fare, parties, and family celebrations. Looking for foodie inspiration? Check out the rest of this blog for more.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo With These Party Catering Ideas

If you’re a lover of Mexican cuisine (who isn’t?), and want to do Cinco de Mayo real justice, here are a few traditional dishes to impress your guests.

The great thing about Mexican cuisine is that it’s fairly simple but packed with incredible flavor. So, it’s easy to prepare yourself and source ingredients for your dishes. Alternatively, there’s always Kpacho to take care of your event catering.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

 

Guacamole

Is any Mexican-inspired Cinco de Mayo party complete without guacamole? Definitely not. This is a traditional dish we can thank the Aztecs for inventing.

Guacamole is one of the most simple dishes to recreate yourself. Forget about pre-made, store-bought versions. All you need is a few ripe avocados, onions/scallions, cilantro, jalapeno peppers, lime juice, salt, and pepper.

Don’t forget to serve with toasted tortilla chips

Shrimp Ceviche

If you want to add a little Latin-American inspiration to your meal selection, ceviche is a great option. It’s a dish you can prepare well in advance and goes down a treat as a snack option, along with your guacamole.

Shrimp ceviche is super simple to make and includes shrimp meat, lemon, limes, red onion, cucumber, cilantro, chili, and avocado. Serve with toasted tortilla chips.

Molé

It doesn’t get more traditional than this dish. It’s also the official dish to commemorate Cinco de Mayo, so your Mexican-themed celebration would not be complete without it.

Molé is a classic Mexican sauce/marinade made from a medley of sweet and spicy chilies, finished off with bitter chocolate. It’s best served with shredded chicken and fresh tacos.

Chilaquiles

Traditionally, this dish is a type of Mexican tortilla casserole. It consists of fresh tomato salsa which sits on top of fried tortilla chips, finished off with eggs, or your preferred form of protein.

In today’s world, nachos are a variation of this traditional Mexican dish. Whether you wish to serve the traditional version or your own nacho-inspired version, it’s always a hit!

 

Tamales

This is a Mexican dish that made its way to the Americas at the dawn of civilization. It’s been around for a long time and, as such, developed through many variations.

Traditionally, tamales are only eaten on Mexican holidays. So, serving them as part of your Cinco de Mayo foods is 100 percent necessary!

Tamales are a stuffed type of dough, usually made from corn, and filled with various fillings such as meat, beans, and cheese.

Carnitas

Once again, this is a Mexican dish that’s served on festive occasions, such as Cinco de Mayo. Back in the day, it used to take several days and an entire community to prepare this dish.

But today, with the help of a slow cooker, you can recreate carnitas in a matter of hours. Carnitas is simply slow-roasted meat which falls off the bone — most of the time pork or beef is the meat of choice.

Carnitas is ideal as a delicious taco, burrito, or empanada filling.

Tacos

It doesn’t get more Mexican or traditional than the taco. They’re always a crowd favorite and easy to prepare — need we say more?

Invented back in the 1950s along the northern coast of Mexico, tacos are now an iconic Mexican staple to have at any celebration.

They’re super versatile, too. Fill them with battered fish, pulled pork (carnitas), shredded chicken, and grilled shrimp, the options are endless!

 

Mexican Street Corn

Traditionally known as elotes, Mexican street corn is a brilliant catering option. It’s easy to prepare and a great choice for handheld/finger foods.

Serve your Mexican corn with a generous slather of sour cream, grated cheese, and chopped scallions.

Savory Empanadas

This is another show-stopping option to serve at your Cinco de Mayo party. They’re a crowd favorite as they’re easy to eat as another handheld snack and generally filled with delicious goodness.

Empanadas are another type of stuffed pastry. Some of the most popular savory options include ground beef, pulled pork, chicken, and cheese.

Sweet empanadas are also a good option for dessert. Fill them with chocolate sauce or a thick, salted caramel.

Churros

Who doesn’t love a bit of fried dough, smothered in sugar? Churros are, and forever will be, a crowd-pleaser at any event. They’re also very easy to make, with simple ingredients.

In Mexico, you can find churros sold as street food, in shopping centers, and at most events/gatherings. You can make churro batter in advance and store it in your fridge. All you’ll need is flour, eggs, butter, vegetable oil, salt, water, and ground cinnamon.

If you’re looking to pull out all the stops at your Cinco de Mayo celebration, whip up a chocolate dipping sauce to go with them!

Looking for Cinco de Mayo Party Catering?

Planning on hosting your very own Cinco de Mayo party, but don’t have the time to prepare your own catering?

Kpacho is your go-to for all your Mexican-inspired catering needs. Take a look at our menu here! Impress your guests with delicious Mexican fare and celebrate Cinco de Mayo the right way.

2021 Event Catering Trends

2021 Event Catering Trends

by | Mar 23, 2021 | Event Catering, Events

With widespread COVID-19 vaccination efforts underway, 2021 is off to a positive start. As more shots get into arms, people are ready to get out and celebrate.

Birthdays, anniversaries, and wedding receptions are all important parts of our lives. After a long year of separation, you want to make sure your first event is a smash. You also want to make sure your guests are safe.

Are you planning your first event in over a year? You’re probably curious about the latest event catering trends. K. Pacho has you covered.

Read on to learn more about 2021’s catering trends and why we’re the perfect spot for your next big party.

Social Distance is the New Normal

Safe gatherings and social distance are the latest trends for catering companies. Vaccinations alone won’t be enough to make people feel completely safe.

Although people are ready to gather, they’ll feel more comfortable at a safe distance. When you book a caterer, you want assurance that guest safety is the highest priority.

You’ll need a larger space for fewer people. K. Pacho has enough space to accommodate your party. We also offer many different dining layouts, and our catering manager will work with you to meet your safety needs.

  • Chef’s Table: An intimate space seating up to 10 guests perfect for a small business event or private family party.
  • Private Dining Room: Normally seats up to 20 guests but is perfect for a moderate-sized gathering with proper spacing.
  • Backroom: This space seats up to 100 guests but can fit 60 socially distanced guests at multiple tables.
  • Main Dining Room: K. Pacho’s main dining room offers guests social distancing in a gorgeous, comfortable space.
  • Bar and Lounge: Our bar and lounge have space for 100 guests and comfortable sofa-style seating for comfortable gatherings.

Staggered Meal Times

Pre-pandemic events were all about gathering as many people as you could in one space. Unfortunately, those types of events are still not possible.

The latest catering trends give you options. Host your next event at K. Pacho and stagger the meal times. Shift dining is a fantastic and safe way for your event to host as many guests as possible.

Between your dedicated dining times, the K. Pacho staff flips and sanitizes the room per CDC guidelines and our own strenuous COVID safety plan.

Social Wrist Bands

Many people spent the last year working from home. If you weren’t able to work from home, you still avoided large social gatherings.

As a sense of normalcy returns, people will have a different comfort level as they gather again. The challenging part while hosting an event is to make everyone feel comfortable.

Some people are ready for close, social interaction. Some aren’t. How do you mitigate that?

A new catering trend is colored wristbands illustrating an individual’s comfort level. Here’s how they work:

  • Red: No physical contact, uncomfortable with social interaction.
  • Yellow: Comfortable with socially distanced social interaction.
  • Green: Comfortable with any social interaction.

K. Pacho’s catering staff will help you distribute these wristbands and work overtime to ensure your guests’ comfort.

Plated Dinners

Buffets, grazing stations, and passed hors d’oeuvres are staples of catering businesses. K. Pacho offers the most creative Mexican-style cuisine guaranteed to please even the pickiest eater.

Your guests, however, may not yet feel comfortable showing themselves to the buffet. Buffet-style service isn’t for everyone, and you have to respect that.

Until people are comfortable, why not utilize the catering trend of individual dinners? These are, of course, nothing new in the catering world. More businesses now offer this style of service to put guests at ease.

The Safety Swag Bag

The swag bag, or goodie bag, is a way you keep your company at the front of any client’s mind after an event. These bags expand your reach and leave your guests feeling cared for and respected.

When you’re inviting strangers to an event, it’s impossible to know what safety precautions they take. Everybody has an opinion on masks and social distancing.

The first thing you should know when booking a caterer is that K. Pacho takes these guidelines seriously. We want all of your guests to have a safe, comfortable experience.

You can take safety to the next level by giving out a safety swag bag to your guests. These bags are a hot catering trend and feature masks and hand sanitizer with your company logo.

Everyone in the room will have a mask to help protect your other guests. Handing out the safety swag keeps you from having to play the role of public safety officer while you’re hosting your party.

Bring Your Party Home

Catering companies and restaurants had to pivot hard in 2020 to stay afloat. Take-out dinners and at-home catering became a part of everyone’s business model.

Service industry experts expect this trend to continue. Why not? An at-home catered party can be both comfortable and fun.

We’ll take your next family event over the top. We offer a selection of family-style meal packages and to-go cocktails prepared by our chefs and mixologists. Let us do the work for your next at-home event.

2021 Event Catering at K. Pacho

The restaurant business and event catering changed so much in the past year. The latest catering trends reflect much-needed comfort and safety.

At K. Pacho, we’ve embraced these trends and set a few of our own. Contactless menus, extra sanitation, and heightened service protocols are a few of the ways we go above and beyond to keep you safe and happy.

Are you ready to book an event in the New Hyde Park area that features the most delicious Mexican cuisine? Contact us today and find out what we offer.

The Six Most Popular Exit Stations for Private Events

by | Jun 26, 2019 | Events

If you’re planning a Sweet 16 or a Bar Mitzvah or other spectacular party, you already know that trends for these parties seem to change yearly, and you want everything to be perfect. One of the latest trends in parties is offering an exit station — one last treat or gift for your guests — before they leave. You can think of it as a final chance to wow your guests. Here’s a look at some of the most popular exit stations for private events.

 

Donuts

After a couple of hours of dancing, your guests will appreciate a good sugar buzz. You can set up a donut exit station that allows guests to choose their own flavors and box them or offer them already boxed donuts. Krispy Kreme can cater a small box of donuts with two treats per box. If you want to add a little something extra, you can offer individual containers of white and chocolate milk.

 

Hangover Kits

If you’re hosting a company party or birthday party for an adult and plan to have an open bar, then hangover kits make a great exit station. Use a small basket or other container and fill it with individually packaged Advil, Pepto Bismol, crackers, a protein bar, bottle of water, Visine, mouthwash, gum and mints. It’s everything someone might need the next morning after your fabulous party.

 

Boxed Meal

As a final goodbye and way to cap off an evening of fun, your exit station can be a boxed meal. For teens and kids, you might consider designing a box that resembles a happy meal. Inside the boxed meal, you can put in a couple of sliders and French fries or make it a healthy snack with fresh fruit and a container of yogurt. After a party, many guests stop on the way home for a quick bite, and this exit station sends them home full and happy.

 

Slippers

Up on their feet visiting with other guests and dancing to the beat, your guests’ feet are pretty sore at the end of the evening. You can give them a little comfort and pampering at the exit station. Set out a variety of warm, comfy slippers, including bunny slippers, plain slip-on, and bootie styles. It’s a good idea to provide an assortment of colors and sizes so each guest finds a pair that will help their tired feet rejuvenate on the ride home.

 

Candy

Who doesn’t love candy? Whether it’s chocolate covered nuts, caramel, or sour candies that make your lips pucker, everyone loves to find a candy bar as an exit station. You can design this exit station to look like a candy store filled with glass jars, scoops, and individually packaged candies. There are many options for guests to store their selected candies, such as bags, Chinese take-out cartons, boxes, and tins. It’s a gift that they can enjoy long after the party is over.

 

Milk and Cookies

There is not an age limit on loving milk and cookies. After warm soup and mac and cheese, it’s probably your favorite comfort food. As your exit station, you can send your friends home with a bag of warm cookies and an individual jug of milk to munch on the way home. You can offer a variety of flavors, including chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, sugar, and peanut butter cookies.
A lot goes into planning the perfect party from guests lists to menus but it’s also a lot of fun. When it comes to exit stations, you can choose one that on trend or let your imagination soar to create one that reflects the person you’re throwing the party for. Ready to envision this for your event?It’s just a click away.

Ready to Plan your Bat/Bar Mitzvah? Here’s What to Look for When Choosing a Venue

by | Apr 17, 2019 | Events, Mitzvah

 

A Bat or Bar Mitzvah is one of the most special events in a Jewish boy or girl’s life. On this day, a child comes of age and prepares to take his or her place in the Jewish community. Many families choose to celebrate this momentous occasion with a Bar or Bat Mitzvah party that brings friends and family together in celebration.

If you’re ready to plan a Bar Mitzvah for your child, you might be starting a preliminary search for the perfect venue — where everyone will celebrate after the ceremony in the Synagogue. As it’s such a crucial event, it’s important that you get every aspect right for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. We know event planning can be stressful, so we’ve created a guide on choosing the perfect venue for your Bat or Bar Mitzvah. From kosher catering to fun mocktails, make sure your venue can create an unforgettable experience.

 

What to Look for in a Bar Mitzvah Venue

When choosing a venue, it’s important to bring a list of questions along as you get started. Don’t be afraid to ask the representative at the venue all the questions you may have about the special day. If possible, plan to check out the physical space of the venue beforehand so that you can get an impression of the space. And when checking the venue’s offerings, make sure they’re able to accommodate all of the following:

 

1. Delicious Meals & Kosher Catering

What’s more important than a party’s food offerings? A delicious menu not only keeps your guests full and happy, but often forms the main event of the party. Unfortunately, not every venue can offer the Kosher catering that you’ll need. When you get in touch with a venue, make sure they offer kosher catering before going any further with your plans. And just because it’s kosher, doesn’t mean it’s the food you’re looking for — make sure to talk to the catering manager at the venue you’re looking at to see what they can offer.

 

2. Access to Preferred Vendors

There’s a lot to think about when planning the perfect Bat Mitzvah. How will you bring the space to life with the perfect floral arrangements? Will you be bringing in balloons to enliven the space? Is there a particular theme that would require an outside vendor to creatively decorate the space? Will there be a DJ to provide hours of entertainment for your guests? When you work with a vendor, make sure they help you access preferred vendors that can help you design the event of a lifetime.

 

3. In-House Event Planner

The value of an in-house event planner can’t be overstated. First of all, they’ll possess an in-depth knowledge of everything there is to know about the venue itself. Secondly, they’ll have an intimate relationship with various vendors, and be able to leverage those relationships to help you plan the perfect party.

Because in-house event planners have seen so many different parties unfold, they are able to not only help you organize an important, massive event — but they’ll also know what needs to be done to make this event stand apart as original, unique, and designed specifically for your needs.

 

4. Challah Bread for the Motzi

Just as with the kosher catering, it’s pivotal to ensure that your venue can accommodate Jewish traditions on this special day. When you talk to the catering manager of the venue, make sure they can provide everything you need to ensure your traditions are honored.

For example, not every caterer is able to provide Challah bread for the Motzi. Make sure to cover the specifics when you contact the venue — and, again, don’t shy away from asking detailed questions about everything you might need.

 

5. Private Suite

As fun and special as a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, it can also present some stress. After all, it’s so important for everything to go well! On this special, one-of-a-kind day, it’s important to be able to get ready, reflect, and de-stress in a private area.

Though it may not be the first element you think of when booking a venue, a private suite for you and the boy or girl celebrating their Bar/Bat Mitzvah is an absolutely pivotal part of a day that’s certainly going to demand a lot of energy. Give yourself the gift of booking a space with a private suite available — you won’t regret it.

 

6. Choice of Linen

Colors, themes, decor — you’re probably excited to plan everything at the Bat Mitzvah to absolute perfection. That’s why it’s so important to book a venue that’s willing to work with you on all these details. Linens can drastically change the look and feel of an event. Whether you’re going for more muted and elegant tones, or a bright and bold palette, go with a venue that offers you choice of linen so that you can tailor the look to suit the event.

 

7. Signature Mocktails

While the adult guests might indulge in the chance to have a drink or two, it’s important to keep the young man or woman — and all of their friends — in mind as well. While you could plan for alternate beverages like soda or juice, mocktails can serve as a fun and sophisticated addition to the party. These non-alcoholic beverages can add the perfect splash of elegance to the event. Talk to the venue ahead of time and see if they serve any signature mocktails to enliven the event.

 

Other Tips for Planning the Perfect Bar/Bat Mitzvah

  • Get organized far in advance. Although you may have booked the Synagogue months, even years ahead of time, it’s similarly important to start searching for your venue far ahead of time. Remember, your venue will have to be established before invitations go out — so it’s important to have it booked as promptly as possible.
  • Carefully consider space when booking. A Bar Mitzvah can be a huge event, so it’s important to have at least a rough estimate of your guests before considering a certain venue. Then, ensure that the venue can accommodate everyone who will attend.
  • Involve the guest of honor. At the end of the day, this special day is all about the boy or girl turning into a man or woman. Make sure that you’re taking their tastes and requests into account when planning the big day.

 

Choosing K Pacho for your Bar or Bat Mitzvah

At K Pacho, we specialize in providing the perfect Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience. With ceremony space for up to 150 guests and years of experience in event planning, our talented crew of chefs and caterers can bring your event to life. If you want to talk to someone at the K Pacho about planning the perfect Bar/Bat Mitzvah, please get in touch with our Event Coordinator or call us at 516-358-2222 today