10 Party Trays You Can Order for Last-Minute Potlucks

(SPOT.ph) Hello! You're reading this article, which means you've either procrastinated on ordering something for a holiday celebration, or you've been invited to something last-minute and are scrambling for something to bring to the table (literally). Well, we can't say we haven't been there, so to help ease your potluck anxieties, we rounded up 10 surefire party trays you can bring to upcoming social events this holiday week. 

Also read:
10 Crowd-Pleaser Potluck Dishes to Order From Makati’s Private Kitchens
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Here are 10 food trays you can order in Metro Manila for last-minute holiday potlucks:

Taste and Tell's Sushi Boat

If you're looking for takeout party trays that will deliver in both taste and presentation, then Taste and Tell's Sushi Boats are for you. Get an array of raw seafood and aburi rice rolls all aboard an actual wooden boat for extra pizzaz. They've got several sushi boats for groups ranging from two to as big as 16, starting at P4,499. Pro tip: act fast, order from their website, or DM their accounts. As of writing, Taste and Tell's kitchen is already at 80% capacity, so if you really want sushi on your table this holiday party season, order now. 

For more information, visit Taste and Tell's Facebook page.

Cabel’s Holiday Party Trays

One of our best discoveries this year is the heritage house-turned-restaurant in Manila called Cabel. This quiet restaurant right by the presidential palace is among our 50 Great Restaurants in Manila and Beyond, so you can't blame us for wanting to see what they're cooking up this holiday season. Cabel normally serves Filipino cuisine from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, but for their special Christmas menu, they opted to take European classics like Lasagna (P400/ solo, P700/sharing), Arroz Valenciana (P1,200), and Roast Chicken with Herb Sauce and Baked Vegetables (P400/ half chicken, P750/ whole chicken) and give them some Filipino flair. Note that these items are all available for advance orders only, so give the restaurant at least one day's notice before the expected pick-up or delivery date.

For more information, visit Cabel's Instagram account.

Bizu's Chef Crafted Roasts and Yule Log

The patisserie and café has long been one of our most-awaited brands for special holiday releases as Christmas is their time to shine. While you can easily consider Bizu's pastry selection as already worthy of any holiday spread, they do go out of their way to craft special treats just for the holidays. This year, our favorite sweet has got to be the very festive Yule Log (P2,100), a sumptuous chocolate roulade cake blanketed in velvety chocolate and praline ganache. It sounds simple but the artistry in the presentation really levels up the chocolate cake.

You can also count on Bizu's Chef-Crafted Roasts for savory options to impress. Their holiday selection this year includes the traditional Christmas Ham (P6,000), the tender and flavorful Lamb Rack (P4,575), and the rich Beef Wellington (P6,950) encased in a golden pastry.

Pro tip: Check the required lead time before ordering. Some items need longer preparation before being delivered or picked up.

For more information, visit Bizu PH's website.

Salad Stop Party Trays

Salads and wraps don't get enough credit when brought to parties. The light leafy snacks are often looked down upon when put together with a spread filled with meats, pasta, and other proteins, but we're here to say they need more love. We often find ourselves way too full during the holidays, so having something light can help digestion. Still, if you're going to bring salads and wraps to the table, you have to make sure they are still memorable. Salad Stop's array of greens, dressings, and other toppings turn the "boring" salad into a centerpiece. Trust us, you won't go wrong with any from their selection. Plus, just look at how efficiently they are packed. It's cute and the perfect light snacking size.

For more information, visit Salad Stop's Instagram account.

Manam's Super Benta Boxes

Manam is one of those restaurants where ordering rarely ever goes wrong. This holiday season, they put together some of their best-selling dishes like the House Crispy Sisig (P1,005), the Kare-Kare with Oxtail (P1,555), and the Caramelized Patis Wings (P1,065) in large, for-sharing takeaway portions. Introducing Manam's Super Benta Boxes that serve six to eight guests with your paboritos and are available for takeaway or same-day delivery through the Moment food website, GrabFood, Pick-A-Roo, or Foodpanda.

For more information, visit Manam's Facebook page.

Azadore's Paella Mixta

Chef Myke Tatung's Azadore is known to many as the newest kid on the block for family celebrations in Quezon City's Scout area. The restaurant, another one of our 50 Great Restaurants of 2023, is known for serving potluck comfort classics for dine-in and takeaway, which means its serving sizes are family-style and ready for big orders. When we last dined at Azadore, we couldn't get enough of their chicken-slash-chorizo-slash-seafood-laden and flavorful rice dish Paella Mixta (P1,200). We even made a mental note to order it for our personal Christmas celebrations. Ordering from Azadore, specifically their Paella, has never disappointed us, so do with that what you may.

For more information, visit Azadore's Facebook page.

8Cuts Groupies

If rice meals, pasta, and noodles are already dominating your spreads, change it up and bring burgers to the party. 8Cuts put together their best-selling burgers, sides, wings, and drinks in sets good for up to four, but TBH, if you ask us, the sets can feed groups of up to six—they're that huge. Choose from four combinations like The Misfits (P2,255), which includes eight cheeseburger sliders, one bucket of onion rings, a dozen of any flavored chicken wings, and four drinks; or The Gate Crashers (P 2,150), which comes with Chick Poppers for sharing, one bucket of onion rings, your choice of four 1/4-lb Cheeseburgers or Meathead Burgers, and four drinks. 8Cuts Groupies are available for same-day delivery on momentfood.com, GrabFood Pick-A-Roo, and Foodpanda.

For more information, visit 8Cuts Burgers' Facebook page.

Vito's BBQ Party Tray

Nothing says a party like having barbeque on the menu. One of our go-to sellers of pork BBQ, especially for big orders, is Vito's BBQ, just because of how bang-for-your-buck they can be. Imagine 10 pieces of pork barbeque on a stick, four pieces of boneless chicken barbeque, and four cups of rice, all for P1,565. Aside from being affordable, Vito's BBQ is also a good choice for families with older diners as the barbeque is tender, flavorful, and smoky AF. No need to worry about losing your dentures, cracking your teeth, or worse, having bland, tasteless, burnt food when eating their meats on a stick.

For more information, visit Vito's BBQ's website.

Mary Grace Sharing Platters

If you're afraid of the judgy tita making comments about your food choices then there's no going wrong with ordering from the ultimate tita-approved restaurant Mary Grace. The café, known for baked goodies that have become a celebration staple, now has ready-to-heat, freshly cooked Sharing Platters of their classic dishes that are good for up to four pax. Choose from a variety of dishes, including their tender Sirloin Beef Tapa (P1,883) or their mildly hot and fresh-tasting Spicy Lemon Scampi (P1,811). Order the platters online for delivery within Metro Manila or by pick-up in select Mary Grace Café branches.

For more information, visit Mary Grace Cafe's website.

Guevarra's Christmas Takeout Menu

Another crowd-favorite during potlucks is Guevarra's and their assortment of Filipino food that's bound to impress even the pickiest eaters. While you can always order food from their menu for parties, this holiday season, Guevarra's has a special limited-time-only takeout menu, which includes Filipino holiday favorites with their own Guevarra's spin like the Beef Lengua in Shitake Cream (starts at P650), the Bacon & Spinach Embutido (P850/up to six pax) and their extra-fluffy, Mini Bibingka (P280/eight pieces) for dessert.

Pro tip: Guevarra's is no longer accepting orders via their website. Orders are now accepted only through messaging their Viber account (0998 881 3200).

For more information, visit Guevarra's Facebook page.

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