Festival Catering Menu: Popular Guide and Ideas

What you need to remember

• Variety and speed are key : festival-goers want to eat fast without wasting time
• Plan 4-6 weeks in advance : The best event caterers are in high demand
• Allow 1.5 to 2 meals per person for a full-day festival
• Offer at least 30% vegetarian options : this proportion reflects current expectations
• Check event permits : MAPAQ strictly regulates catering in a festival context

What types of menus work best at festivals?

The format of the menu depends on the atmosphere, budget and logistics available at your site.

Food trucks and mobile kiosks
Food trucks offer a complete and attractive solution. Tacos, gourmet burgers, revisited poutines and pizzas cooked over a wood fire (also known as "street food") create a festive atmosphere. These options can be prepared quickly and allow visitors to eat on the go.

Theme stations
Specialty counters by type of cuisine work well for medium to large-scale festivals. An Asian sushi or other resort, a Mediterranean station and a traditional Quebec station offer a variety of meal choices. This format reduces waiting lines by dispersing the crowd.

Appetizers and snacks
For festivals where people are constantly circulating, portable options are ideal. Mini skewers, empanadas, samosas, wraps and donuts are easily eaten standing up. Plan formats that do not require any plates or complex utensils.

Sweet options and refreshments
Mobile desserts always attract people. Artisanal ice cream, churros, taffy apples and cotton candy complete the experience. Lemonade bars, smoothies or specialty coffees add a premium touch.

In Quebec, any caterer operating at public events must comply with MAPAQ safety standards to guarantee the food safety of festival-goers.

How to calculate quantities for your festival?

The portions vary considerably depending on the duration of the event and the profile of the participants.

For a half-day festival (4 to 5 hours)
Plan for at least one main meal or several substantial snack options per person. Beverages are a top priority, especially at outdoor events. Increase the quantities according to the temperature and the level of physical activity of the festival-goers.

For a full-day festival (8 to 10 hours)
Plan several meals per person, plus snacks in between. Consumption increases during active outdoor events. Plan for options that are available continuously rather than concentrated services at fixed times.

Special Considerations
Family festivals require small children's portions. Alcohol events call for more salty and protein options. Afternoon festivals see a higher consumption of desserts and sweet snacks than in the evening.

Priority food allergens must be clearly identified on all menus. This transparency protects festival-goers and respects Canadian legal obligations.

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Common mistakes to avoid when planning

Some decisions can create major problems on the day of the event.

Underestimating infrastructure needs
Food kiosks require electricity, running water and a drainage system. A festival of 500 people requires several points of service to avoid endless queues. Check the electrical capacity of your site before confirming the number of stations.

Neglecting meat-free options
More and more festival-goers are actively looking for vegetarian, vegan or flexitarian food options. Offering only a salad as an alternative creates dissatisfaction. Choose vegetarian dishes that are as attractive and tasty as meat options.

Choosing a menu that is too complex
Dishes that require a long preparation or an elaborate presentation slow down the service. For a festival, a simple meal and efficiency are paramount. The best event caterers design delicious yet quick to assemble menus.

Forgetting waste management
Disposable tableware quickly accumulates at outdoor events. Choose compostable or reusable containers. Plan for enough sorting stations and clearly communicate your environmental efforts to the participants.

Which menu for which festival?

What to do now?

Here are the concrete steps to plan your stress-free food offer.

Immediate actions
Estimate the number of attendees expected, the duration of the event, and the budget allocated to food. Identify the constraints of your site: access to electricity, water points, space available for installations. This information guides your discussions with caterers.

When to call on professionals
Festivals with more than 200 people benefit from professional coordination. An experienced caterer can handle complex logistics, coordinate multiple stations, and ensure smooth service throughout the event.

Best practices to ensure success

A few proven strategies turn your food offering into a major asset.

Diversify Pricing
Offer options to different budgets: snacks at $5-8, medium meals at $12-15, premium options at $18-25. This range allows all festival-goers to find something that suits them.

Manage peak hours
Queues explode between 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., then between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Increase catering staff during these times. Offer snacks available around the clock to relieve congestion at main counters at mealtimes.

Communicate the offer clearly
Install prominent signs indicating menus, prices and dietary options. Clear signage reduces repetitive questions and speeds up service. Use universal pictograms to identify vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergenic.

Promote local and seasonal products
Choosing caterers who favor Quebec producers strengthens the identity of your festival while reducing the ecological footprint. Local foods offer superior freshness and an explosion of flavours that festival-goers enjoy. This approach demonstrates your values in terms of sustainable development and support for the regional economy.

Respect health standards
MAPAQ event catering permits are mandatory for all caterers operating at festivals in Quebec. Check that each supplier has the required authorizations and complies with hygiene protocols. This diligence protects participants and your reputation.

A colourful catering menu

Creating the ideal festival catering menu combines variety, speed and quality. First identify the profile of your festival-goers, then adapt the formats and flavors to their expectations.

Mobile options, themed stations, and portable bites meet the specific needs of outdoor events. By planning quantities properly and diversifying the offer, you create a memorable experience.

Contact us to plan your festival

Are you organising a festival and want a food offer that impresses your participants? Our team can design a menu adapted to your theme, your budget and your values.

We take the time to understand your vision to create a dining experience that perfectly complements your event. Contact us!