Awesome Catering Ideas for Your Next Corporate Event

Awesome Catering Ideas for Your Next Corporate Event

You’ve possibly come across the joke that the company meeting isn’t over until the dessert tray is empty. Of course, the corporate rule number one is that the success of an event is measured by the quality of the catering.

So, have you incorporated good catering into your next event? If not, what are you waiting for?

Here are some free ideas for you.

DIY Food Bars

Let people make their own perfect meal!

Ideas:

  • Taco bar
  • Pasta station
  • Build-your-own salad
  • Burger bar with weird toppings (pineapple, anyone?)

Why it’s cool: Everyone gets exactly what they want, and it’s fun to create your own dish!

Around the World in 80 Bites

Take your guests on a tasty trip around the globe!

  • Set up different stations with food from various countries
  • Add fun facts about each country near the food
  • Use little flags to mark each “country”

Why it’s cool: People can try new things and learn a bit too!
Our chefs can whip up authentic dishes from many cultures.

Healthy but Yummy Corner

Who says healthy food has to be boring?

Ideas:

  • Colorful veggie and dip platters
  • Fruit sushi (It’s a thing, look it up!)
  • Smoothie station
  • Grain bowls with lots of toppings

Why it’s cool: It’s good for you AND tastes great. Win-win!
We can create beautiful, Instagram-worthy healthy dishes.

Breakfast for Dinner

Who doesn’t love breakfast food?

  • Set up waffle and pancake stations
  • Have an omelet chef
  • Offer fun cereals in cute bowls

Why it’s cool: It’s unexpected and reminds people of weekend brunches with friends.
Our chefs can do breakfast any time of day!

Tiny Food, Big Taste

Everything’s cuter when it’s small!

Serve mini versions of favorite foods:

  • Sliders
  • Pizza bites
  • Tiny tacos
  • Bite-sized desserts

Why it’s cool: People can try lots of different things without getting too full.
Our experts at making these adorable mini meals.

At Villa Ragusa, we pride ourselves on being incredibly flexible, able to bring any food idea to life. Our creative chefs love experimenting with new dishes, ensuring that your menu is both exciting and unique.

We also make sure that every dish looks as good as it tastes, adding that extra touch of elegance to your event.

Plus, we take care of all the setup and cleanup, so you can relax, and we’re experts at accommodating various dietary needs, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

With Villa Ragusa on your team, the sky’s the limit for creative catering. Now, who’s hungry?

Crafting Unforgettable Moments: A Peek Behind the Scenes at Villa Ragusa

Crafting Unforgettable Moments: A Peek Behind the Scenes at Villa Ragusa

Nestled in the heart of Downtown Campbell, Villa Ragusa stands as more than just a venue. It’s a curator of timeless memories. As you step through its doors, you’re stepping into a world meticulously crafted to transform every event into an unforgettable moment.

Today, let’s pull back the curtain and take an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the magic that makes Villa Ragusa a premier event venue.

The Team

At the helm of this enchanting experience is the highly qualified events team, a group of professionals dedicated to turning dreams into reality. From the meticulous event managers who walk you through every detail to the serving staff ensuring seamless execution, each team member plays a crucial role in the symphony of orchestrating memorable events.

Our Culture

One key element that sets Villa Ragusa apart is its commitment to exceeding expectations. This commitment begins with the initial planning stages, where the events team collaborates closely with clients to understand their vision. It’s not just about hosting an event, but also about creating an immersive experience that resonates with the essence of the occasion.

Success Stories

Success stories echo through the hallowed halls of Villa Ragusa. From glamorous weddings that felt like a fairy tale to corporate events leaving a lasting impression, each event is a testament to the dedication of the team.

These stories aren’t just about flawless execution. They’re about the intangible moments—the laughter, the tears, the shared joy—that linger in the hearts of those who attended.

Insider tips from the events team reveal the meticulous attention to detail that goes into every aspect. From the lighting that enhances the ambiance to the flexibility allowing guests to bring in their favorite caterers, every facet is carefully considered. This commitment to flexibility ensures that each event reflects the unique personality of the host.

As you explore the behind-the-scenes workings of Villa Ragusa, you’ll discover a venue that goes beyond providing a space. It crafts experiences. From the first meeting with the events manager to the final toast, Villa Ragusa is committed to turning moments into memories, and that commitment is what truly sets it apart as a beacon of elegance and charm in the heart of Downtown Campbell.

Frequently Asked Event Planning Questions

Frequently Asked Event Planning Questions

Hosting celebrations big or small at Villa Ragusa soon? As a premier Campbell event venue location with over 15 uniquely captivating spaces perfect for hosting weddings, private parties, corporate events and more, we get lots of questions!

To help you plan the perfect downtown Campbell affair with confidence, we’re sharing answers to some of our most frequently asked booking questions:

What layouts and capacity does Villa Ragusa offer?

Villa Ragusa in downtown Campbell offers various event spaces with different capacities and ideal layouts.

The Grand Gallery is the largest, boasting 12,000 square feet and accommodating up to 600 guests for a banquet with a dance floor. Its expansive size makes it ideal for larger weddings, galas, and corporate events.

For smaller gatherings, The Campbell Gallery and The West Gallery are perfect options, each offering 3,700 and 3,200 square feet respectively. Each can accommodate around 175 guests for a banquet or 275 for theater-style seating. Think intimate weddings, receptions, and business meetings.

You can choose something bigger like the East Gallery with a capacity of 250 guests for a banquet with a dance floor or 450 guests theater style seating. Give us a call to discuss the size you require for your event.

What’s included technology/amenity-wise?

From integrated A/V systems like projectors, drop-down screens and speaker systems to customizable uplighting, unser lounge seating and dance floors, Villa Ragusa delivers built-in tech and amenities that “wow.”

We also provide complimentary Wi-Fi, allowing you to leverage your own devices seamlessly. Ask us how we can enhance offerings to match unique needs!

What about sound, restrictions and end times?

As an events-only venue not attached to strict hotel limitations, Villa Ragusa maintains maximum flexibility around schedules.

Our secluded location means noise is no issue either! We encourage music and fun while working directly with clients to accommodate each event’s requirements.

Can we choose our own catering vendors?

Absolutely! While we partner with 15+ renowned Campbell area caterers intimately familiar with our venues’ layouts for turnkey service, outside vendors are also welcome pending license and insurance approvals. From five-star chefs and sommeliers to specialty décor designers, DJs and photographers, our network makes event coordination easy!

Ready to tour gorgeous Villa Ragusa for your next Campbell soiree? Reach out now to book a walkthrough and discuss dates! With a legacy over a century strong and thousands of stunning celebrations under our belt, our team stands ready to flawlessly execute events with grace and ease. Let’s connect!

The Big Discounts Offered That Banquet Rooms Don’t Want You to Know

The Big Discounts Offered That Banquet Rooms Don’t Want You to Know

Villa Ragusa is happy to share the fact that we give discounts when you book during our slow times. We have no reason to hide this fact. If you choose those dates, you’ll rent them and we won’t run the risk of having no one in that space for this slow time on the calendar.

How to Get An Event Space Cheaper

Our busiest seasons are the wedding seasons in the spring and early summer and November and December which are booked tightly for private holiday parties and company parties for the winter holidays. It is during these times that our spaces go for a premium price.

Get Room Discounts

If you want to book the spaces at Villa Ragusa at a better price, you need to use our slow times to book your event. So, plan your event for a Wednesday & Thursday, instead of Saturday and Sunday. You’ll save quite a bit!

Catering Choices

Villa Ragusa has a full time kitchen that creates the meals for events held in our building. We do allow outside catering, as well, should you want to use your own favorite caterer. However, you’ll probably get a much better deal by using our in-house catering and the food will still be flavorful, delightfully appealing, and well-presented.

Go Cozy Not Spacious

Not only is a smaller room going to cost less than a big room, but you’ll have a better outcome if people are close together. When there is a lot of empty space in the room your guests will keep to themselves and not socialize. When there is very little empty space your guests will talk to others, participate more, and have a wonderful time. So, understand not everyone is going to show up and pick a room that’s a little smaller than you think you need.

We are Happy to Assist

When it is time to book a room for your event, give us a call and discuss it. We sometimes have rooms available right away. Contact us today and we’ll give you some tips on booking your event with a lower cost.

Social Hall That Allows Outside Caterer in Silicon Valley

Social Hall That Allows Outside Caterer in Silicon Valley

There is a beautiful social hall that will rent spaces for your private or corporate event. And the great news is that you can use your own caterer!

Using an Outside Caterer at Villa Ragusa

Villa Ragusa understands completely why you would need to use the caterer of your choice. And this sets us far apart from other event centers in the Silicon Valley. We want you to be able to have the dining experience you need for your attendees.

While we offer a wonderful catering experience, sometimes those who want to rent one of our gorgeous spaces have special dietary needs or simply have a favorite caterer. We are always happy to accommodate your choice in catering. We have some guidelines that must be followed in this situation.

Guidelines for Using an Outside Caterer

There are some dates in our busy month of December where we cannot accommodate an outside caterer. So, the first step is to work with us on the date of your event.

  • Beverages must be provided by Villa Ragusa, your outside caterer cannot provide them.
  • Your caterer must have an onsite manager during the event.
  • Outside caterers must have a valid catering license and health certificates.
  • One month before the event your caterer needs to do a walk-through at Villa Ragusa.
  • There is a fee to use your own catering choice.

Coordinate With Us Well Ahead of Your Date

While it may seem to be easy, (the caterer just drops off food and sets it up), it is quite a bit more complicated than that. You will need to let us know using an outside caterer is your choice when you first speak to us. We will let you know the costs involved and what the guidelines are that you and your caterer must follow.

You can read our Catering Guidelines for more information. Or give us a call to discuss your event and how we can help you have the best experience hosting your event at Villa Ragusa.

Have a Big Wine & Cheese Party

Have a Big Wine & Cheese Party

We can all agree that food and drink parties are the most fun and social activity you can engage in. Food parties transcend cultural barriers and loosen tensions between individuals and groups.

Perhaps that is the reason dinner parties are a staple of political and international gatherings. Sometimes, a plate and glass of wine achieve more than emails and phone calls combined to build consensus.

Nothing is as sublime as conversations over a glass of sparkling wine.

Whether for a group of friends, or business partners, a big wine and cheese party can create the ideal environment for fun conversations. Nobody says no to a sip of glorious wine!

Get the Pairing Right

Perhaps your guests are not sommeliers, but that is no excuse for getting the wrong popper pairings. It is not the time to experiment.

As a rule of thumb, the wine and cheese should be from the same region to make the perfect combo. For example, Swiss with Gewurztraminer, Cream Cheese with White Zinfandel, or Brie with a Sweet Sherry are excellent combos.

Ideally, serve a variety of cheese and wine to accommodate various tastes. Make a few modifications to match the season. But if ever in doubt, you can always pick the brain of our event organizers.

There are also other unwritten rules, such as when the wine and cheese party should start. It should be before or after dinner.

Why Villa Ragusa?

Silicon Valley is just 2 hours away from the Nappa Valley wine region. So, it would be easy to get local wines to mix with international ones.

But apart from our proximity to the heart of the wine region, we have the tools of the trade. Red wines usually have bigger bouquets than white wines, so they tend to have larger bowl-style glasses. Some occasions may require attention to detail to create the perfect mood, which may also translate to spending on glasses. This may not be necessary.

Villa Ragusa has a good collection of international wines. In addition, our facility can match any style and sophistication you have in mind for the big wine and cheese party in Silicon Valley.