How to Cater an Event When You Have No Time to Plan
You’ve just been handed the task of organising a lunch, reception, or party—on short notice. Maybe it’s an appreciation event. Maybe the guest list just doubled. Or maybe someone else was supposed to handle it and… didn’t. Whatever the reason, the event is happening, the clock is ticking, and you need catering that won’t cause a meltdown.
At Lavish, we’ve handled thousands of last-minute catering requests across Singapore. The good news? With the right partner, even a tight timeline can turn out beautifully. Here’s how we help you pull off a seamless, styled event—even if the invitation went out yesterday.
Step One: Don’t Panic—Go Bento or Mini Buffet
When time is short, simplicity matters. Lavish offers ready-to-serve formats that look good, travel well, and require minimal setup:
Bento boxes are perfect for office lunches, team meetings, or sit-down seminars
Mini buffets work beautifully for casual home parties, small groups, or condo gatherings
Party boxes are ideal for remote attendees, gifting, or pop-up celebrations
Everything is halal-certified, stylishly packed, and delivered on time—even with just a day or two of notice.
Step Two: Keep the Menu Flexible
Last-minute orders don’t mean sacrificing flavour. Lavish helps you:
Choose from our most popular combinations
Adjust for dietary restrictions quickly (e.g. vegetarian, nut-free)
Lock in confirmed headcounts fast with manageable minimums
Our planners work with what’s available now—not next week—so you’re not left waiting on ingredients that won’t arrive in time.
Step Three: Focus on Flow, Not Frills
“You don’t need ten trays of food—you need the right five.”
In time-sensitive events, we help you prioritise:
Balanced menus with proteins, grains, and greens
Clean visual presentation with minimal prep
Placement advice so your layout works with the space
No over-ordering. No need to style the table yourself. Just unpack, set down, and go.
Step Four: Let Us Handle the Delivery Details
Tight timelines usually mean multiple moving parts. Lavish coordinates delivery to suit your schedule—even if your event space has restrictions like:
Loading bay access
Lift timing
Multi-floor drop-offs
We also include basic styling for all trays, printed food tags, and disposable cutlery when needed—so you don’t have to scramble to source supplies.
Bonus: We’re Really, Really Fast at Confirmations
When you're pressed for time, the last thing you need is slow back-and-forth emails. Lavish’s team is built for quick turnarounds and clear communication. You’ll get:
Fast menu approvals
Clear invoices
Priority production for urgent events
And best of all—your guests will never know you planned it in 48 hours or less.
Make It Look Like You Had Weeks
Lavish helps last-minute planners look like seasoned pros. With thoughtful menu curation, prompt service, and flexible formats, we take the chaos out of rushed timelines and deliver events that feel effortless—even if the lead time was anything but.
Explore our bento, mini buffet, and party box solutions—or contact us now to see how fast and fabulous last-minute catering can really be.
