Celebrations, small gatherings, office events, you name it – hosting parties can be quite a task, with one of the most crucial elements being the food. Spending hours in the kitchen preparing meals for large groups can be daunting, especially when you’re trying to juggle other party-planning responsibilities. Here’s where Costco and its Party Platters Menu come into play. As your secret weapon to stress-free event planning, we’re going to educate you on how Costco’s extensive selection of platter options can cater to any gathering, covering both its variety and affordability.
Understanding the Costco Party Platters Menu
Understanding the Costco Party Platters Menu
Costco Wholesale, the second-largest retailer in the world, offers a range of convenient and delicious party platters. These pre-made platters make hosting easy, whether you’re planning a small gathering or a large event. The Costco Party Platter menu includes a wide variety of options, catering to different tastes and dietary preferences. Each platter is designed to feed a crowd, eliminating the need for you to cook and clean.
Among the offerings are sandwich platters, grilled chicken and swiss rollers, shrimp platter, meat & cheese platter, and fruit platter. The popular croissant sandwich platter includes turkey, roast beef, and ham with cheese, and is ready to serve for about 16-20 people. Furthermore, Costco’s Prawn Platter, that comes complete with 1.36 kilograms of large cooked shrimp and a 255-gram tub of cocktail sauce, is enough to satisfy 20-24 seafood-loving guests.
Price points for Costco party platters vary, with smaller or simpler options starting in the $20-30 range, and more substantial or gourmet options priced as high as $50. So it meets various budget ranges too.
Special Dietary Choices and Best-Sellers
For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, Costco also offers options. Vegetarian guests would appreciate the variety in the vegetable platter made up of fresh and crunchy veggies, cheese, and hummus artisan crackers. There’s also a fresh cut fruit platter for a refreshing, healthy treat.
Costco keeps gluten-free customers in mind with options such as the Chicken Caesar Salad and the Greek Pasta Salad. These offerings ensure that every guest can find something that suits their tastes and dietary needs, making your hosting duties a little less stressful.
When it comes to best-sellers, the shrimp platter and the meat & cheese platter rise to the top of the list. Costco’s shrimp platter, loaded with gourmet large cooked shrimp and cocktail sauce, is a crowd-pleaser, while the meat & cheese platter, filled with gourmet cheeses and flavorful charcuterie, is perfect for guests who love a good spread of savories.
The Costco Party Platters Menu not only spoils your guests with a wide variety of food options designed to suit different tastes and dietary needs but also eases the worry of hosting with its generous servings and affordable prices. The Costco party platters promise that no guest leaves hungry and the host enjoys the party, with less time spent on preparation and serving.
Planning your Event with Costco Party Platters
Choosing Platters to Match Your Event
The proper choice of party platters provided by Costco is often determined by the nature and style of your event. For a relaxed, informal gathering such as a backyard get-together or a child’s birthday, platters filled with chicken wings, sandwiches, and chips partnered with various dips do the trick. For more upscale or corporate gatherings, you may want to consider sophisticated options like prawn cocktails, gourmet cheese and fruit platters, or a selection of sushi.
Cultural ceremonies and festive events call for special food items to reflect the spirit of the celebration. Don’t worry, because Costco has you covered here too with their range of delectable platters such as taco kits, Mediterranean assortments, and Korean-inspired dishes, customizable to your exact requirements.
Determine Platter Quantities Based on Guest Count
The number of guests at your event greatly influences your party platter count from Costco. A good rule of thumb is to expect each guest to consume four or five pieces per platter. If you’re expecting 20 guests at your party, you’ll want to select four or five different platters to ensure variety. Remember to account for any kids who may eat less and guests who might eat more.
Incorporating Themes into Your Menu
Theming your menu with your event adds intrigue and coherence to your gathering. Costco’s varied selection of platters can cater to most themes. For a Hawaiian luau, consider platters with tropical fruits, shrimp, and poke bowls. For a movie night, popcorn and nachos with cheese can fit the bill. Themed events let you be specific and imaginative in your platter selection, making the process more engaging.
Balancing Taste Preferences and Dietary Restrictions
Understanding your guests’ taste preferences and dietary restrictions is crucial when selecting your Costco party platters. Fortunately, Costco provides a vast range of platters catering to most dietary needs. Vegetarian and vegan guests will appreciate the veggie tray, hummus and falafel platter, or the Mediterranean platter. For guests with specific dietary needs, like gluten intolerance, the fruit platter and shrimp cocktail are safe options.
Gluten-free and vegetarian markings on Costco’s platters make it easy to select suitable options. However, consider sending a menu to your guests in advance just to be sure you’re addressing everyone’s needs.
The Ease of Hosting with Costco
A significant benefit of using Costco party platters for hosting is the convenience involved. All platters come fully assembled and ready to serve, saving you precious time and energy that could be better spent on other aspects of event planning, like decor or entertainment. Online ordering and in-club pick-up also streamline the process, allowing you to order quickly and pick up your items when it suits you.
If you’re contemplating hosting an event, Costco party platters can significantly simplify the process while catering to the diverse tastes and dietary requirements of your guests. Planning your meal offerings based on your guest count, event type, theme, and individual dietary preferences will ensure a well-received and memorable gathering. With Costco’s extensive variety of platter choices, your hosting experience is made all the more straightforward and stress-free.
How to Order from the Costco Party Platters Menu
Effortless Entertaining with the Costco Party Platters Menu
No matter if you’re organizing a grand party, a professional business meeting, or a casual family get-together, the Costco Party Platters Menu is your go-to solution for providing your guests with delightful and varied appetizers, sandwiches, and desserts. Each platter is thoughtfully put together to please an assortment of palates, catering seamlessly to meat enthusiasts, vegetarians, and those with a sweet tooth alike.
How to Place an Order for Party Platters at Costco
To order from the Costco Party Platter Menu, you may opt to visit any Costco warehouse or place an order online via the Costco website. If you prefer the in-store option, you’ll find the order forms at the bakery and deli departments of your local warehouse.
For digital orders, navigate to the Deli section under the “Grocery & Household” tab on the Costco website. There, you’ll find the party platters. Select the one you want, add it to your cart, adjust the quantity, and proceed to checkout to finalize your order.
Take note that you’ll need to be a Costco member to utilize this service, and you’ll have to provide your Costco membership number at checkout, whether online or in-store.
Ordering Lead Time and Confirmation
Costco recommends placing your order at least 24 to 48 hours before your planned event to ensure availability and timely preparation. Once your order is placed and processed, you’ll receive a confirmation via email or a printout from the store assistant if you booked in-store. This document will serve as proof of your order and will include details such as collection time and location.
Pickup and Delivery Options
Due to the nature of Costco’s fresh food offerings, these party platter orders are currently only available for in-store pickup. The pickup location will generally be the deli or bakery from where you ordered. You’ll need to present your order confirmation and a valid photo ID at the pickup location.
Although Costco is continuously exploring options to introduce delivery in the future, it’s not currently possible. Therefore, when planning your event, it is important to plan a pickup time that coordinates conveniently with your event schedule, allowing for transportation and setup time.
An Easy Solution for Hosts
By choosing Costco’s Party Platters, hosts can save on prep time and hassle. With one less thing to worry about, you can focus more on creating a memorable event for your guests. So, the next time you plan an event, consider the convenience and quality of food offered by Costco’s Party Platters Menu.
Ordering from Costco’s Party Platters Menu results in an efficient and effortless experience for any host. By understanding the platter options, tailoring choices to your event, and navigating the ordering process, you can provide your guests with a delicious feast without the trouble of cooking everything yourself. With Costco, your hosting needs are catered with ease, letting you focus on enjoying the memorable moments that parties offer.
