In Cincinnati’s competitive corporate landscape, companies need to leverage every advantage available to them. Whether administrative teams are planning an important client meeting, trying to make company-wide events more memorable, or celebrating milestones, they need to deliver on every detail, especially the food.
But the city’s dispersed population can make coordinating the logistics difficult, and the budding local restaurant scene is raising employees’ expectations surrounding workplace food. To guarantee success, Cincinnati companies need to be careful when choosing a corporate event catering service.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a quick guide. Keep reading to learn what factors are most important when selecting a caterer, how to choose the right format for your event, and take a look at some of the best catering spots in the city.
Cincinnati’s museums, vibrant local sports culture, and nationally acclaimed zoo make living in the city worthwhile, but the things that make it special can also complicate catering logistics. An exceptionally large metropolitan area, a growing food scene, and a diverse corporate landscape are all factors you need to account for. Here are three things to consider when selecting a corporate event catering service in Cincinnati.
Although Cincinnati is only a moderately sized city, sitting at around 80 square miles, the larger metropolitan area expands to nearly 5,000 square miles. Cincinnati is known as a “commuter city,” meaning that most employees drive in to work from the suburbs and Northern Kentucky. As a result, local businesses are more spread out than in other cities of a similar size. While this has played a major role in shaping the city’s culture, it can make organizing corporate catering more challenging.
Because the Greater Cincinnati Area is so dispersed, it’s important to make sure that the caterer you hire is within a reasonable distance of your office. Otherwise, you’ll end up with cold food and hefty delivery fees.
To avoid this, vet potential catering partners for reliability. While this is an important part of the process, it can also eat up a lot of time. Instead of looking into each one on your own, partner with a third-party catering provider that handles the logistics for you. They can coordinate with restaurants to ensure your food arrives on time, in good condition, and within budget, giving you one less thing to worry about day-of.
Cincinnati is known for its unique take on chili, its historic French Pot ice cream, and its strong German heritage, with goetta and locally brewed beer being among the city’s more iconic staples. Neighborhoods with strong culinary presences include Over-the-Rhine with a variety of German and Eastern European spots and Carthage with a heavy Latin American presence.
But that’s not all the city has to offer. In the past few years, the culinary scene has been growing quickly, likely due to the recent population boom that was largely fueled by international migration, according to Census Bureau data.
This new influx of immigrants has led to a notable increase in the city’s international cuisine options. As this change takes place, Cincinnati employees are growing used to having easy access to diverse, high-quality food options. While generic catering may have been fine in the past, expectations are going to continue to rise, and you’ll need more variety to effectively meet demand.
However, partnering with a new caterer every time can be difficult. You’ll have to repeatedly work out the logistics from scratch rather than relying on existing arrangements. To provide ongoing variety without weighing down your administrative team, partner with a catering provider that has established relationships with multiple vendors.
Cincinnati is home to a wide range of industries, including large presences in healthcare, consumer goods, banking, aviation, and logistics. While this diversity is good for the city’s overall economic health, it also creates a corporate landscape with incredibly varied needs. This means there’s no one-size-fits-all catering solution.
A supermarket chain’s corporate headquarters isn’t going to have the same needs as a mid-sized engineering firm. Even within one company, different events will need different catering formats to account for varying headcounts and occasions. Look for a partner that works with you to organize catering that perfectly fits your company’s needs and is customizable by event type.
Cincinnati employers aren’t short on corporate catering options. As the city continues to grow, the culinary scene is following closely behind, and new great spots are popping up every day. Although this is good news for both Cincinnati residents and the local economy, it can make it difficult to narrow down your choices. To get started, we’ve put together a list of some of the best options. They’re all Fooda partners, making it easy to bring them into your office without having to worry about coordinating all of the logistics on your own.
Specializing in Syrian and Middle Eastern cuisine, Olive Tree is perfect for teams looking for a unique, upscale catering experience. This family-owned spot was founded with the goal of creating community and sharing Syrian culture. Everything is made from scratch, and it’s all Halal certified. Their catering menu features cultural classics like kibbeh, baba ghanouj, hummus, tabouleh, and much more.
Operating out of the city’s famous Findlay Market, Deme Kitchen serves a variety of Asian staples originating from China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Korea. From these international inspirations, they have created unique, innovative dishes rooted in tradition. Their most popular menu items include Five Spice Chicken Wings, General Tso Chicken, Vietnamese pho, and Korean tteokbokki.
Pata Roja’s mission is to bring the vibrant energy of Mexico City taquerias to Cincinnati. With a name that nods to both cities’ baseball teams (the Cincinnati Reds and the Mexico City Red Devils), it’s an authentic, dedicated blend of what makes each city special. With taco bars, nacho bars, rice bowls, and homemade sides, Pata Roja is the perfect choice for any office looking for a lively, engaging catering experience.
As the name suggests, Mac Shack’s menu consists solely of flavorful variations of mac and cheese. While their original mac is timeless and expertly crafted, those looking for bolder concoctions can go for their unique mix-in combos or even make their own bowls. It’s an exciting, innovative take on an old classic that’s bound to be a crowd-pleaser.
Like Deme Kitchen, Dat’s Old School Cookin’ is stationed in Findlay Market. Serving lovingly crafted soul food classics, this family-owned restaurant is known for their large menu and authentic flavors. Their baked and fried fish and chicken are their most popular dishes, but they also have a great selection of sides to choose from.
If you’re looking for dessert options, Bitter Sweet Crepery is the perfect choice. They serve a variety of unique and delicious sweet crepes, including cinnamon sugar, honey lemon, berries and cream, and banana cream pie. If you’re in the mood for something savory, they also have omelets, brioche stuffed buns, baked goods, and drinks. Their menu brings levity to any corporate event and leaves employees looking forward to the next one.
With Fooda Corporate Event Catering, you can source high-quality catering that fits every event without the hassle. Our dedicated account managers work with you to understand your needs, coordinate with restaurants on your behalf, and organize delivery logistics, all while staying within your budget and keeping you informed throughout the entire process.
Our network of 4,500+ restaurant partners gives you easy access to consistent variety, saving you from being confined to the same options over and over. Employees stay engaged, and corporate events become something to look forward to. Whether you’re trying to wow potential clients, liven up the monthly all-hands, or keep employees fueled during long training sessions, Fooda gives you the flexibility to seamlessly adjust for different headcounts, event types, and budgets, ensuring you get the perfect solution every time.
With our fully-managed program, we handle everything from ordering and setup to service and cleanup. Your administrative team won’t have to worry about the food, allowing them to spend more time on planning the rest of the event rather than spreading themselves too thin, running out of time, or forgetting important details.
If you’re ready to partner with Fooda for a streamlined corporate event catering service experience, reach out to one of our experts to learn more.
What food is Cincinnati known for?
While Cincinnati houses a food scene made up of a variety of cultural cuisines, the most prominent being German cuisine, it’s better known for a handful of iconic dishes. Cincinnati chili is inspired by Mediterranean rather than Southern cuisine and is served with cheese over hot dogs or pasta. This is one of the city’s most popular staples. Additionally, ice cream made with the French Pot Process and pizza featuring toppings served underneath thick layers of mozzarella cheese are also well-loved local favorites.
How much does corporate event catering cost in Cincinnati?
Corporate catering in Cincinnati depends on the menu, service style, and guest count. Boxed lunches and drop-off service sit at the lower end, while full-service catering with staff and setup runs higher. Getting quotes from a few local caterers is the best way to nail down a number for your event.
What are the best catering options for a small office party in Cincinnati?
For smaller gatherings, look for Cincinnati caterers that offer flexible minimums and drop-off service, since many local restaurants can scale down without sacrificing quality. Popular formats include build-your-own taco bars, sandwich platters, and grazing boards, all of which work well for groups under 20 and keep per-person costs relatively low.
Can I find gluten-free or vegan corporate catering in Cincinnati?
Yes. Most Cincinnati caterers now offer gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, and many independent restaurants in the city can build entire menus around dietary accommodations. When booking, confirm ingredient details directly with the caterer and ask about cross-contact procedures if allergies are a concern.
How far in advance should I book catering for a corporate event in Cincinnati?
For events under 50 people, one to two weeks of notice is usually enough. Bookings during peak seasons like December should be placed at least three to four weeks out, since popular local caterers fill up quickly around the holidays.
What Cincinnati neighborhoods have the most corporate catering options?
Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, and the Kenwood area have some of the highest concentrations of restaurants and caterers that serve corporate clients, largely because of the density of office buildings nearby. Choosing a caterer close to your office can also help keep delivery times and food quality more predictable.
