LUNCH TASTING MENU

Lunch Tasting Menu Catering

In the world of high-end catering, lunch is no longer viewed as the secondary sibling to dinner. With the rise of midday business gatherings, social luncheons, and intimate creative meetings, the format of a lunch tasting menu has emerged as a sophisticated solution for events requiring elegance without excess. Unlike standard lunch buffet setups, tasting menus are composed of smaller, well-balanced courses that highlight quality over quantity. Each element is hand-selected to offer a complete sensory experience, from presentation to flavor profile. A lunch tasting menu allows hosts to share the story of their event through food—one thoughtful plate at a time. In cities like New York, where culinary innovation meets time sensitivity, the lunch tasting format strikes a rare balance: refined yet efficient, expressive yet compact.

Choosing a tasting menu for a mid-day event isn't just about the food—it's about creating a deliberate pause in a fast-paced environment. Clients hosting power lunches, product unveilings, or investor meetings appreciate the structure and intentionality that tastings provide. Rather than defaulting to predictable choices, clients are turning to more curated experiences like our lunch boxes catering, which offer premium flavors and presentation even in mobile or informal setups. While compact in form, these options can mirror the variety and depth of a full tasting, bringing gourmet appeal to the middle of the day.

LUNCH TASTING MENU

We specialize in Lunch Corporate Catering and Event Planning. Our extensive menu includes Breakfast, Lunch , Specialty Lunches, Appetizers, Desserts, Sandwiches, Main Entrees and more.

1-Assortment Of Our Signature Sandwiches And Wraps
Selection of Cold Cut Sandwiches, Vegetarian, Grilled Chicken, Fresh Turkey, Tuna Salad

2- OUR MASTER PIECE:
Mixed Greens Topped with Maple Harissa Roasted Carrots, Herb Granola, Tomato, Cranberry and Feta Cheese with Blackberry Tarragon Dressing

3- MEZZE RIGATONI
With Fennel, Tomatoes, Artichokes, Shaved Parmesan and Kalamata Olives

4- Quinoa Salad
With Caramelized Butternut Squash, Roasted Grapes, Edamame, Blueberries, Curly Kale, Candied Cashews topped with Feta Cheese with Simple Citrus Dressing

5-Chef’s Appetizers and Hot Entrees:
Appetizers:
1- Brazilian Coconut shrimp W/ Honey mango dipping sauce
2- Maryland Crab Cakes W/ Chipotle Aioli
3-Cheeseburger Eggrolls W/ Mustard and Ketchup
4- Turkish Style Chicken Skewers served W/ Yogurt Dipping Sauce
5-Watermelon Cup with Lime Goat cheese
6- Mini Caprese Salad Bites W/ Balsamic Glaze
7-Rainbow Summer Roll W/ Cilantro dipping sauce
Hot Food Selection
•Balsamic Rosemary Glazed Salmon with Strawberry Salsa
•Fennel Chicken Medallions with a white wine leek sauce
•Lime Chipotle Grilled Steak with Sautéed Tomato Haricot Vert Topped With Cilantro Sauce
•Rice pilaf w/ Caramelized Mushrooms and Spinach
•Summer Garden Vegetables Roasted

6-Cookies and brownies selections
Selection of Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Pecan Coconut, M & M, Double Chocolate Chip Garnished with Butter Cookies, Dipped Chocolate Strawberry and our weekly Chef selection special

7- Sliced Fruit & Berries
Seasonal Sliced Fruits & Berries (Pineapple, Honeydew, Cantaloupe, Papaya, Berries, and other exotic fruits Of the season- Plum, Cherry, Apricots, Black Grapes, Star Fruits, Figs

8- Assorted Dips and Crunches
Avocado Hummus
Hummus
Edamame Basil Spread
Guacamole
Pico De Gallo Pita chips
Parmesan & Thyme Crackers
Crostini
Homemade tortilla chips

Who Benefits Most From a Lunch Tasting Experience?

Lunch tastings are increasingly popular across a wide spectrum of industries. From legal firms looking to impress out-of-town clients to fashion PR teams coordinating an in-office showcase, the format adapts well to a range of settings. Our clients in Manhattan and throughout NYC often request this format for high-stakes meetings, editorial lunches, or smaller internal celebrations. With our extensive experience in corporate catering in NYC, we understand how to tailor every element—from pacing to portion—to align with both the logistical and aesthetic goals of the occasion.

Gotham Catering and Events takes pride in its collaborative approach to culinary design. Our chefs work directly with clients to understand their preferences, guest expectations, and the narrative behind the event. Whether it’s an artistic vision or a strategic brand message, the menu is shaped to reflect more than just taste—it reflects intention.

A popular entry point into customization is our create your own salad offering. With this feature, clients can build bespoke combinations that showcase seasonal produce and specialty ingredients, reflecting not just dietary goals but also color palette and event theme.

Accommodating Every Guest: Inclusive & Elegant

In today’s NYC dining scene, inclusivity is not an afterthought—it’s foundational. Gotham's lunch tasting menus are easily adapted for dietary needs, including vegan, gluten-free, and kosher-style variations. These considerations are seamlessly woven into the menu without compromising on elegance or visual presentation.

A standout option for plant-based and gluten-conscious menus is our elevated grain bowl menu. These dishes blend nutrient-dense ingredients with vibrant presentation and satisfying textures, proving that health-forward can also be indulgent. While lunch tastings provide a unique experience, they also serve as an entry point into Gotham’s wider menu portfolio. Our curated selections allow clients to imagine how their tasting could evolve into full-scale service or extend to other touchpoints within an event.

Pairing a first course with a handcrafted starter from our best catering soups in NYC can add comforting familiarity to the tasting format. For those looking to end on a refined note, our desserts catering menu offers confections that balance sweetness with restraint, ideal for mid-day consumption.

Seamless Tasting Experiences for Corporate Clients

Corporate events often demand precision, reliability, and discretion. Our corporate catering menu is designed to meet those expectations without sacrificing creativity or flavor. Through the tasting process, our team becomes an extension of yours—handling every culinary detail while aligning with your event’s tone, timeline, and spatial constraints.

For teams that prefer a lower-maintenance solution, Gotham offers a variety of upscale drop-off platters designed to maintain elegance without requiring on-site chefs or servers. These are particularly useful for smaller teams or offices without formal kitchen space, and still allow for layered tastings through multi-course composition. A well-executed tasting menu can do more than impress—it can tell a story. Many of our clients choose to center their menu around a particular region, mood, or culinary heritage. This helps bring cohesion to the meal and leaves a more memorable impression.

Clients are encouraged to explore our themed lunch menus, which provide a foundation for customization. For those seeking a dynamic and crowd-pleasing direction, our Mexican fajita bar catering offers a balanced blend of color, heat, and texture perfect for elevating the midday table without overwhelming it.

Thoughtful Beverage Pairings for Lunch Tastings

No tasting is complete without a beverage program that enhances rather than distracts. Our curated selection of light cocktails, herbal spritzes, and infused sparkling waters complement the lighter pace of a lunch hour. The Gotham beverage menu includes options that are refined and refreshing, designed to pair with each tasting course or stand alone as a signature moment of hospitality.

In the world of boutique events, visual cohesion is nearly as important as the food itself. Gotham’s lunch tasting menus are designed not only for flavor but also for presentation. From plate composition to the vessel used for each course, every element is chosen with intention. Our approach to elegant plating extends to offerings like the room temperature menu, where dishes are created to maintain their integrity even outside of a traditional hot-service environment. This is especially effective for tastings held in offices or art spaces where heating equipment may be limited but expectations remain high.

Strategic Pairings and Side Components

Each tasting is structured to highlight a balance of texture, temperature, and richness. While the focus is on the core courses, supporting elements like composed side salads can enrich the overall experience. Gotham’s curated selection of sandwiches and side salads are often included in lunch tastings as contrast elements—providing fresh, crisp notes between richer bites.

These thoughtful inclusions demonstrate the depth of consideration our chefs bring to every menu. Each item serves a purpose, contributing to a narrative of flavor that unfolds across the tasting progression. While tastings offer a more intimate and measured format, there are events where a buffet might better suit the scale or flow. When guest counts increase or spatial constraints require self-service, Gotham adapts with elegance. Our dinner buffet service is frequently modified for daytime affairs, offering tasting-inspired selections in a more expansive layout.

This hybrid approach allows clients to retain the thoughtfulness of a tasting menu while accommodating a broader guest list. Every station is managed with the same attention to temperature control, ingredient integrity, and refined presentation.

Preparing for the Tasting: What Clients Should Know

To ensure a seamless and productive tasting experience, our team provides clear guidance and planning support from the beginning. This includes clarifying guest dietary needs, understanding space constraints, and establishing aesthetic goals.

We advise reviewing our catering policies prior to scheduling, as these outline essential timelines, service options, and coordination protocols. This preparation ensures that the tasting not only meets expectations but provides a reliable foundation for the larger event execution. When you arrive at a Gotham tasting, the experience begins well before the first bite. Each session is structured as a consultation—an opportunity to understand your vision while exploring culinary possibilities.

Some clients begin their tasting process inspired by elements from our themed dinner menus, reimagined through a lighter lunch lens. This cross-pollination of ideas allows for menus that are personalized, expressive, and deeply aligned with your event’s tone. Our chefs present each course with intention, inviting feedback and making real-time adjustments. From seasonal variations to presentation tweaks, the tasting is an active dialogue that results in a final menu tailored precisely to your preferences.

Finalizing Your Menu with Confidence

After the tasting session, our team consolidates notes, reviews any adjustments, and presents a comprehensive event plan. This includes final menu selections, portion adjustments, service requirements, and logistical recommendations. Clients feel confident knowing that no detail is overlooked and that their menu reflects both vision and practicality.

Many of our clients opt to include flexible components such as sandwich lunch packages to accommodate last-minute RSVPs or team members joining virtually. These additions offer adaptability while staying within the tasting menu’s visual and culinary tone. For larger-scale planning or recurring engagements, our corporate catering services provide structured yet flexible solutions tailored to NYC’s fast-paced business environment. These offerings complement our tasting menus for companies looking to standardize quality across multiple events. When a tasting leads to a broader lunch service, we often incorporate favorites from our sandwiches catering lineup, known for artisan breads and elevated spreads. These curated selections maintain the elegance of a tasting while scaling effortlessly for larger guest counts.

Not every lunch tasting requires a formal table setting. In today’s hybrid work environments, portable tasting menus are increasingly requested. Gotham’s boxed catering menus are designed with the same standards of flavor, freshness, and presentation, making them an ideal option for client gifting, remote collaboration, or working lunches with a high-end feel. Each box is carefully composed to ensure a balanced meal progression—mirroring the flow of an in-person tasting but delivered in an accessible and self-contained format.

Beyond the Ordinary: Creative Midday Tastings

For those seeking to break the mold of traditional lunch service, Gotham offers unique midday tastings that explore texture and flavor from new angles. Larger format items such as the heroes by the foot or shareable options like the hot Italian pasta can be adapted into refined, plated tasting formats. These selections invite playfulness and variety into the lunch hour, reflecting the dynamic nature of NYC’s creative culture. With Gotham’s guidance, even comfort classics are transformed into elegant expressions of culinary craft.

In New York, time is precious and expectations are high. Lunch should never be an afterthought. With Gotham Catering and Events, a lunch tasting menu becomes an opportunity—to connect, to impress, and to elevate the everyday. Through our commitment to local sourcing, culinary innovation, and bespoke service, we offer more than just catering. We deliver an experience built on detail, dialogue, and distinction. Whether you’re planning a corporate engagement, a private editorial lunch, or a creative team gathering, the lunch tasting format provides a refined structure for sharing and savoring—one course at a time.