How to Cater Your Super Bowl Party

Catering your super bowl party doesn't have to be a headache. Follow these tips and make sure that everyone has plenty of

great food to munch on during the big game.

1. The Last Minute, “…our TV isn’t working, can we use yours?” Home Party

We’ve all been there: we’re planning on taking it easy, maybe dropping by a local bar or a friend’s apartment to watch the game, and then suddenly, boom, your apartment is the place to be.

Maybe it’s because you’ve got that brand new TV, maybe it’s because you’re only a block from the subway station and it’s raining or maybe it’s because you have ample street parking nearby, but either way you’re now the somewhat-unwilling host of a Super Bowl party.

Fear not: there are a few simple tips and tricks to make your life easier and keep your costs to a minimum.

BYOB: If you’re offering the location, don’t be shy about asking your friends to bring some of the good stuff. Ask each person to bring a bottle of liquor and a mixer, or a pack or two of beer.

Pizza Party: Your local fast food places often provide party packs; you can get a Party Pack at Taco Bell relatively cheaply. Another great idea is pizza; order one plain, one with everything, and one with pepperoni to make sure you fit everyone’s dietary needs. Most major pizza chains have great deals during this weekend, so don’t forget to google for discount codes before you order.

Apps and Zerts Party: We agree with Tom from Parks and Rec: apps and ‘zerts are a wonderful thing. Safeway, Trader Joe’s, and Costco all have a huge variety of frozen appetizers and pre-made deserts that will keep your guests (and your wallet) full with minimal effort on your part. Preheat your oven, pop those suckers on a baking tray and you’ve got yourself a bite-sized feast.

Bonus tip: Invest in a set of paper plates and plastic cups so that cleanup simply involves throwing things away rather than having to wash a million plates. And don’t forget to recycle your bottles!

2. The Pre-planned Home or Tailgate Party

So you’ve agreed to host a big Super Bowl party in your house. There have probably been weekends full of games leading up to this, but this is the real deal: you’re going to have a house full of people screaming at your screen. Providing food for a crowd can be hard, but we think we’ve got a few tricks to make it easier.

Don’t forget local, favorite restaurants: Do you have a great barbeque place nearby? A pop-up with the best chicken wings in the state? Most of these down-home restaurants are happy to offer you a discounted price on party platters of meaty main courses, and they’re served in big tinfoil containers so you can just fold it up and toss it when you’re done.

Fire up the grill: Hotdogs and hamburgers are an easy way to keep a crowd full and happy, and if you’ve had time to plan you might be able to swing by Costco, where you can pick up huge quantities of food on the cheap.

Don’t forget the sides: We recommend sticking to simple sides when having a larger Super Bowl party at your house, particularly if peoples’ potentially picky kids are coming by: macaroni salad, coleslaw, and some cold cuts with cheese are a great way to provide food for people with even fairly restrictive diets.

Set up a table: No one wants to stand in the kitchen serving people when the game is playing, so use a counter or a covered table to set up a buffet with an ice bucket full of beers and sodas so people can serve themselves.

Save your space: Here’s a lesson we learned the hardway - put away any precious items (that antique lamp you inherited from your grandmother, for instance) and toss down a cheap plastic tablecloth on any coffee tables or side table people might be using (bonus points if they’re in your team’s colors!).

People will be drinking and cheering and screaming at the ref, and you don’t want to risk your furniture getting scratched, water-damaged, or broken.

3. The Corporate Budget, “Let’s Do it Big” Party

You’ve seen these parties on TV; these are the celebrations full of athletes, politicians, and maybe that one neighbor of yours who always seems to be invited everywhere.

If you’re going to throw one of these parties, you’re going to have to put in a lot of time and effort; expectations will be high, and food and drinks are going to be a huge selling point.

Assuming you’ve already found the right venue, we’ve got a few tips to make your catering take off smoothly.

Pre-Plan Your Caterer: We’re assuming that if you’re going to pay a bunch for a large venue, you’re probably going to have catering as well; make sure that you check with your venue on what your catering options are. Some hotels have exclusive partnerships with nearby caterers, and a number of local caterers will be booked up ahead of time. Book early, and try to have a taste test before you put downa deposit.

Decide what you want your catering theme to be: Are you going to provide dinner, or just a series of ever-rotating appetizers? We still recommend fan-favorites (barbeque, burgers, and hot dogs), but try to jazz them up: burgers can become sliders, hot dogs become gourmet hot dogs with fancy mustard and special buns.

Make sure you’ve got wait staff: You’re going to want people helping pick up empty dishes and glasses and help pass out food so that you can mingle with your guests. Ask your catering company if they provide staff, or if not, find a company who does.

Food timing is everything: Have your waiters provide light appetizers when people come in, then work your way up to the heavy stuff; break out your heavier dishes just before half-time to give people time to enjoy themselves. You don’t want to serve your main meals too early; people may arrive late, and usually they won’t be particularly hungry until at least partway through the party.

Create the perfect bar: Ideally you’ll have a bartender (or three) for these sorts of events, but take things one step further by providing custom touches.

Maybe that means complimentary beer cozies that your guests can take home with them with your favorite team on them, or maybe that means a custom drink in the colors of your team.

Try to provide at least one unique touch that makes this party uniquely yours – bonus points if it’s a giant ice sculpture in the shape of a football.

Hopefully with these catering tips and tricks your Super Bowl party will be as satisfying as the game-winning touchdown, but don’t

forget, at the end of the day, whether your party is an impromptu get-together or a huge, glittering affair, its all about the love of the

game. Wear your team colors, enjoy the game, and dig in!