If you want to have a buffet at your next party, the catering company will probably advise you to pick a theme for this buffet. Here is why.
1. To make the menu-creation experience easier
One reason why catering companies tend to make this recommendation is that it makes it easier for their clients to create their menus. Because of the overwhelming number of dishes that a catering business can provide for a buffet, you may find narrowing down your selection very hard. However, having a food theme can simplify this process as you'll be limited to the dishes that align with the theme you've chosen.
For example, if you opt for a French-themed buffet, you can cross desserts like sticky toffee pudding or New York-style cheesecake off your list. Instead, you can order things like crème brulee, tarte tatin and crème caramel. Similarly, if you choose a fruit-based food theme, you'll eliminate many dishes and can just order foods like plum tart, pineapple upside-down cake, lemon and garlic chicken, and halloumi salad with strawberries and balsamic vinegar. This approach should be particularly helpful if you're indecisive and know that, without these limitations, you would waste a lot of time struggling to make your choices.
2. To ensure people don't put items on their plates that taste awful together
The other perk of having a food theme for your catered buffet is that it will mean that your guests will be a lot less likely to put items on their plates that taste awful together. For example, if you have your caterer serve penne bolognese as well as sweet-and-sour chicken, anyone who puts a serving of each of these onto their plates is likely to find that neither of them taste that great (even if both dishes have been made with great care) because the flavours of the rich, tomatoey pasta dish might be jarring after a person has eaten a piece of very sweet and fatty chicken.
If however, you have a theme, the dishes at the buffet will have similar flavours, even if their textures and scents differ. At an Italian-themed buffet, for example, most of the savoury dishes will feature an allium, some tomatoes, wheat and cheese. Because of this, your guests will be able to pile their plates high with several dishes and enjoy eating them together, without any single item spoiling the flavour of the other foods.