Ask the Celebration Advisor: I live in Chicago, Illinois and I want to throw a formal party outdoors. There will be a large attendance and I was wondering how to go about providing food and furnishing the event. Any suggestions?

The Celebration Advisor: An outdoor party is great to have, especially when there is food involved. As everyone knows, food tastes better outdoors. But to answer your question, a local Chicago, IL caterer could easily help you with those daunting tasks.

Some people unfortunately think that all caterers do is cook food for large amounts of people, which they do magnificently. However another role of a caterer is to provide a wait staff, bartender and chefs as well as various other choices for rentals from companies affiliated with the catering service.

Chicago caterers are able to cover every detail down to the glasses, plates and cutlery and color of the table cloths, to the disposable heating ware and serving utensils. Since your party will be outside, renting a tent or two would provide your guests with ample shade. Also available is the option to rent cooling equipment just in case your party is on one of those blistering summer days by the Great Lakes.

Above all else, the food at your party is key. Once you have chosen a caterer, discuss the many varieties of food to be served. Being outdoors, your event may benefit from food prepared on a grill. But don't worry, since parks typically do not have kitchens or the nicest of food preparation stations, caterers have the ability to cook on a portable kitchen. As an added benefit, guests would marvel at chefs creating intricate and tasty dishes for them to enjoy.

I like your idea of an outdoor party and hiring a caterer to help you with it would give your guests an event to remember and give you the satisfaction of hosting the party they just cant stop talking about.

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