Tip Type: Entertaining

Build the Perfect Party Spread: Mix & Match Catering Ideas for Every Spring Celebration

spring party catering ideasSpring is when we gather for all sorts of celebrations – from Mother’s Day brunch to graduation parties, wedding and baby showers, and team get-togethers, we all love a great party in these warmer months. But, where to start? Putting on any celebration can feel a little overwhelming. What will you serve, what will the set up look like? Do you even have the time to make it happen? The good news is that you don’t have to do it all. Smart planning that includes catered dishes can save you a lot of time and worry and put you where you belong – with your guests and not stressing in the kitchen.

If you’re planning your own spring celebration, Butcher Boy is the one-stop key to making hosting a breeze. Start with our extensive catering menu featuring delicious appetizers, entrees, platters, salads, sides, roasts, and desserts. Add your favorite beverages from our wide beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic selections, browse locally curated specialty items, and set your table with one of our beautiful Caspari table settings.

Here are a few suggested menus to inspire your celebration. For a full list of items, explore our complete catering menu here.

Mother’s Day Brunch or Dinner: Keep it elevated but effortless with our ‘create your own’ quiche options, including ham, spinach, broccoli, bacon, and more. Pair with a fruit platter and fresh salad and add a decadent sweet finish with our pastry platter featuring French macarons, brownies, and lemon, raspberry, and coconut bars.

If you want to make it an elegant Mother’s Day dinner, we’ve made it simple with our prepared entrees or roasts. Go classic with a hearty meat lasagna or upscale with a dish like our marinated sirloin tips served with a decadent Merlot wine sauce or our tenderloin roast. Choose side dishes such as green bean almondine, rice pilaf, or herb roasted potatoes. Finish with a stunning Konditor Meister cake for a meal to remember.

Build the Perfect Party SpreadGraduation Party: If you’re feeding a crowd in a drop-in setting, keeping it easy and delicious is the key. Opt for dishes that can be left out – great options are finger or wrap sandwiches, antipasto, cheese and crackers, and fruit. Salad and vegetable crudite can also be great side dish options. Think the classic “build your spread” formula – pair 2-3 savory platters with 1-2 sides and a dessert tray such as our house-made whoopie pies, mini cannolis, or brownies.

Sports Teams / End of Season Celebrations: These are all about keeping it fun, casual, and kid-friendly. Mix hot and cold options for variety and set up food in an easy buffet style with plates and utensils to keep everything together for the “grab and go” vibe. Wings, mac and cheese, phyllo puffs, and sausage rolls are real crowd favorites. Don’t forget one of our delicious cookie, brownie, or whoopie pie platters for those sweet tooths!

Build the Perfect Party SpreadShower-Ready Spreads: For zero-stress baby and bridal shower food ideas that feel special, think thoughtfully selected light offerings that look and taste delicious. Pair mini beef wellingtons or boursin and prosciutto stuffed chicken spirals with a shrimp cocktail platter and a variety of salads. Add wine, champagne or craft mocktail ingredients. Save decadence for dessert with our new pastry platter, other sweet platter options, or a Konditor Meister cake. Keep presentation elegant and coordinated with Caspari tableware.

Backyard Parties and ‘Bring Your Own’ Banquet Halls: Whatever the occasion, party size, or location, we make entertaining easy. Chicken or beef teriyaki skewers, steak tips, sides and salads are great options for laid-back mingling at your backyard party. If you’re renting a function hall where you provide your own food, our full trays of Italian meatballs, homemade sausage and peppers, or Mediterranean chicken and antipasto platters are ideal for buffet-style serving. Our catering selections can be scaled up or down depending on your guest count and are designed for easy transport, setup and clean up.

So, spring into your spring celebrations with confidence, knowing Butcher Boy is there to make hosting your next party a breeze. Explore all our catering options online, or come see us for expert help in selecting the menu items for your special gathering.

Catering for Easy and Festive Spring Celebrations

Warmer weather brings flowers and celebrations – Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, graduations, wedding showers, and more. For many of us, the idea of “throwing together” a party is pretty intimidating. What will we serve? Will it be enough? How can we impress our guests without running ourselves ragged?

catering butcher boy north andover maWe’ve got the answers. At Butcher Boy, we offer an extensive selection of catering options – from mouth-watering appetizers to delicious entrees and side dishes, even luscious desserts. Whether your vibe is laid back and casual, or more upscale, we have just what you need. All you have to do is serve and hear the compliments that are sure to come your way.

Looking for a nice Mother’s Day or Father’s Day spread? Perhaps you’ll want to start with sausage rolls or phyllo puffs, or maybe the always-popular bacon-wrapped scallops. Follow with a comforting entree like Baked Stuffed Shells or elegant Mediterranean Chicken or one of our signature roasts. Accompany your meal with one of our delicious salads and selections from our wide assortment of vegetable, rice, or potato sides.

bakery custom cake butcher boy north andover maDid you know our bakery not only features cakes, breads, and pastries from popular local bakeries, but our own creations? End with a scrumptious dessert platter featuring authentic Italian cookies, brownies, fruit tarts, fresh-filled cannolis, or even New England’s iconic whoopie pies. For the ultimate dessert offering, consider a beautiful Konditor Meister cake, each a delicious work of art.

Putting on a casual party spread? Our platter assortment is extensive, including a variety of sandwiches, antipasti, as well as festive party and fruit options. Don’t forget the jumbo wings prepared with our famous marinades in Teriyaki, BBQ, or Buffalo flavors.

These are just a few of the many catering options we offer.  Let us help make your next gathering not only memorable but one both you and your guests can enjoy!

Springtime Wine Pairings

Springtime Wine PairingsSpring is in the air, and it’s a great time to think about changing up the beverages we pair with our favorite springtime meals, specifically wine. This time of year, you might want to move from heavy reds to light reds, rosés, and whites — lighter wines that are perfect for lighter meals.

The possibilities and choices of wine seem to be endless, and if you’ve ever stood in a wine shop trying to choose among them, the task can be overwhelming. Or, if you or your dinner guests just happen to not prefer wine, the decision about what type to drink can be even more difficult. So where to start?

Sparkling wines are an excellent starting point for those who might normally choose a spiked seltzer or fizzy cocktail. Your taste buds will appreciate the chilled bubbles along with the sweetness. Prosecco is the sweet Italian cousin to traditional French champagne. Lambrusco is a sparkling red worth a taste.

Want to try other red wines? It’s the tannins in wine that give that puckering, sometimes drier taste, but there are lighter reds with lower tannin levels that might appeal to a non-wine drinker’s palate, such as Pinot Noir or Syrah.

Now let’s get back to pairing with spring foods. When salad is on the menu, either as an entrée or a substantial side dish, look for white wines with so-called “green” flavors. Vinho Verde, Grüner Veltliner, Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, and Albariño will fit right in with leafy greens. Pinot grigio is a good match for pasta primavera.

There are a couple of choices of wine to pair with asparagus, depending on how it’s cooked. Try a Pinot Bianco with grilled asparagus, but a dry rosé would work well with asparagus that is oven-roasted. Artichokes can be difficult to match with wine because they can make it taste overly sweet. To counter that effect, pick a tart white with good acidity, like a Sauvignon blanc.

Let’s get to the meat of wine pairings. Is baked ham on the menu for Easter? Then choose Riesling for its fruity flavors of apple, apricot, and pineapple that will go naturally.

If you’re serving lamb for Passover or Easter, well, then a red wine might be the obvious choice. However, a tender spring lamb needs a wine that won’t overpower its delicate flavors and texture. One popular suggestion: Grenache, which is typically light and has fruit flavors.

When it comes to fruit, in most cases you’re going to want a wine that’s very sweet and bubbly, especially with a dessert. Champagne doesn’t have to be reserved for special celebrations. A sweet Gewürtztraminer is another option, or sparkling rosé.

While you’re shopping with us for your spring holiday meals or weekend dinner parties on the deck or patio, let us show you our wine selection and help you choose the best ones to serve with your menu and please all your guests. Then tell us which ones are your favorites!

Summer Celebrations & Milestones

The season of renewal is a great time to catch up on all the celebrations we likely missed over the last year. Creating an outdoor oasis or hosting a backyard bash doesn’t have to be labor intensive. You want to enjoy time with your guests outside in the sunshine and fresh air, not in the kitchen prepping, chopping, and cleaning up. We found a few ideas that can transform your backyard into a worthy escape from the everyday.

spring graduationIt’s graduation season! For a creative way to keep drinks for a crowd chilled, go inflatable. These trays are perfect for tabletops, or the grass, or anywhere you want to give easy access to cans and bottles that will stay cold for hours. Fill them with a variety of beverages from Butcher Boy’s selection of seltzers, soft drinks, beers, and wine while you’re shopping for your meal. The best part is, the trays simply drain, deflate, fold and store for future use without taking up too much space.

garden party finger foodCelebrating a baby shower, engagement, or wedding shower? Set up a garden party atmosphere and use a floral theme for everything from decorations to food and beverages. Container plants around the deck or patio provide greens and color to brighten things up. How about putting some blossoms on stir sticks? Even the ice bucket can get dressed up, with fruit, herbs and flowers.

It’s easy to turn even an ordinary weekend evening or any occasion into an al fresco party with string lights. Use as many or as few as necessary to get just the right vibe.

shish kabobWhen it comes to the menu, think simple finger foods, such as sliders and small sandwiches, grilled steak or chicken on skewers, or cut fruit. Now that New England’s weather is cooperating, it’s time to fire up the grill any day of the week and go all-in with steaks, marinated chicken, pork, and veggies. Don’t worry about needing extra groceries to make your own side dishes. You’ll find prepared sides of every variety at Butcher Boy. Choose from potato salad, pasta salad, mixed veggies, and so much more — all are available at Butcher Boy. To give your party the sweetest ending, pick up cakes, pies, and pastries from our bakery.

What are you celebrating this summer? Share your favorite party menu items and easy decoration tips with our community on Facebook or Instagram.

Christmas In the Old Center

Nathaniel House_North Andover MA
Nathaniel House at Christmas, North Andover

Our December guest blogger, Wendy Wakeman, takes us to a historic hearth and kitchen in North Andover’s Old Center for a peek into her family’s Christmas traditions.

Nathaniel House, with its ample, sun-soaked rooms, was built for entertaining. When Brad and I were considering moving here, its suitability for hosting parties was a factor in the decision.

We were happy in our previous house, a sweet cottage near the library which Brad’s family had occupied for more than 70 years. A baby grand took up almost the whole living room. My favorite Christmas tradition is gathering friends around to sing carols. Over the years, our annual caroling party grew to include a punch bowl full of homemade eggnog and so many friends that we worried about the floor joists. As much fun as the party was, the little house had reached maximum capacity.

Nathaniel House would accommodate the party, and even had room in case we found new friends to invite. Brad and I are always making new friends. We’ve hosted five great Christmas parties here. This year, we’ll take a break.
I’ll miss that happy tradition. Fortunately, Christmas holds many other joyful rituals.

Aga Cooker_Nathaniel House
Traditional Aga Cooker at Nathaniel House

Christmas Eve belongs to Brad’s family. A quiet and adult celebration, we gather for a candlelit dinner followed by services at St. Paul’s. Christmas Day belongs to my big, noisy clan. My brother Josh was born on December 25, 1967. My mom was on her own that year taking care of me, 2, and Barbie, 6. My dad was in DaNang, serving our country in the Vietnam War. For us, Christmas holds extra meaning.

Traveling from family to family is fun, but wanting our own tradition, too, Brad and I carved out a quiet space Christmas morning.

I rise early and toss a batch of popovers in the Aga cooker. The gold-trimmed china tea set that belonged to Brad’s grandmother comes out of the cupboard. I set a tray with tea, softened butter, honey, and a few flavors of jam. Last year, the jam was a jar of grape made by our neighbors the Wordens.

When the popovers are ready, I arrange them in a silver bowl lined with a linen tea towel. The three of us sit by the tree, a fire ablaze in the hearth, and enjoy a special meal while we open gifts.

May you and your family find peace, joy, and love this holiday season. I am certain we will.

Wendy as Santa at Butcher Boy
Wendy, dressed as Santa, shopping at Butcher Boy for a past Christmas.

Writer Wendy Wakeman is a former Selectman for the Town of North Andover.  She and her husband Brad share quarters with a couple of cats.  While daughter Millicent now calls Minneapolis home, Brad and Wendy keep a sunny bedroom at the ready, in case she wants to visit.

A Sizzling Backyard Fourth of July

backyard fourth of julySummer is in full swing, the grills are sizzling, vegetable gardens are starting to bloom, and the sound of splashing in backyard pools and sprinklers can be heard throughout the neighborhood. The Fourth of July is finally upon us, and even though we won’t make our usual treks to see the fireworks this year, we can still celebrate. Here are a few ideas for your festivities:

Bring the Boston Pops to your backyard! Keith Lockhart and the Boston Symphony Orchestra won’t be on the Esplanade this summer but the show WILL go on. The Pops are live-streaming a ‘Salute to Our Heroes’ concert that you can display on a screen in your own yard. Here’s a DIY screen courtesy of HGTV you can make from basic bedsheets. If you’re in the market for a projector, outdoor mini models are available starting under $100, but you could also simply play the music through speakers connected to your phone or other device and forgo watching the video.

Fireworks displays are canceled in many cities and towns, but you can light up your own sky with festive lighting. String up patriotic red, white, and blue paper lanterns or multicolor twinkle lights above your deck or patio.

Adjust your barbeque menu with social distancing in mind. Burgers, hot dogs, and corn on the cob make a great contactless meal — pull them off the grill with tongs or a spatula and everyone can take their own. Butcher Boy carries our own burgers and natural casing hot dogs, as well as marinated meats that you can grill any way you’d like. Instead of putting out the usual bowls of chips, consider providing individual bags for your guests to choose from. For dessert, check out the great selection of single pastries and cupcakes in our bakery case, ready to enjoy with no prep.

What’s a summer holiday without a festive and fruity beverage? These Raspberry and Lemon Rose Sparklers are easy to make and require no contact – everyone can mix their own. For a non-alcoholic version, use club soda, lemonade or a light juice in place of the rose. Make Butcher Boy your one-stop shop, where you can pick up all of those meats, sides, sweets, and refreshments at once.

Don’t forget to keep wipes and hand sanitizer available throughout the day. We’d love to hear how you plan to celebrate this year. Please share ideas with our community on Facebook or tag @ButcherBoyMarket on Instagram.

Making Mother’s Day Memories While Keeping Your Distance

It’s a difficult year for celebrating special occasions and holidays. At the same time, while we can’t gather in person for parties, dinners, or nights out on the town, those reasons tmother's day celebrationo celebrate are more important than ever. We’re appreciating our friends and loved ones, showing gratitude, and giving back where we are able to. Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and the current circumstances mean you may have to be a bit more creative than usual to convey your love – but it’s welcome now more than ever.

For the mothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, and grandmothers who don’t live with you, a drive-by visit has become a popular way to acknowledge a special day. Decorate your car with signs, paper flowers, streamers, or glass markers, and caravan to the house with other relatives to make it a Mother’s Day parade. Florists are still available to take online orders – if mom is comfortable accepting a delivery, pick out a beautiful bouquet that will bring some color to the weekend.

Bring a homemade lunch or dinner that you can drop off at the door or share outdoors if you’re able to arrange seating at an appropriate physical distance. Consider supporting a local restaurant or catering company and buying takeout for Mom so she doesn’t have to cook that day. Meals often include dessert and even wine is available for pick-up or delivery in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

If your mother is farther away than a quick drive and you can’t visit for the weekend as you usually do, a video chat is a nice step up from a phone call. Gather the extended family to schedule a group video call through Zoom or FaceTime.

Staying home doesn’t mean Mom has to go without gifts. Have the kids create homemade cards. Local spas and salons eventually will be back open. Check the website for the one she frequents and buy a gift card she can use when the time comes. The same goes for her favorite restaurant. Want to give Mom something she can enjoy now? Put together a gift basket full of personal care products for home manicures, facials, and luxurious baths.  Throw in a book she’s never had time to read before now or a game that would be fun to play with the family – there are great virtual games online for groups here.

If the mother you live with is an essential worker who has been putting in long hours, show some extra love every day – making dinner, lighting candles, even just leaving her to watch her favorite Netflix show by herself when she gets home.

We’re proud to be open to serve you at Butcher Boy, with some specific guidelines. In one trip, you can pick up the ingredients for your next homemade meal, cold prepared foods, something special from our butchers, beer, wine, spirits, and even dessert.

What’s on Your Grill?


We want you to see what’s on your grill this summer, and it could be worth up to $200! Between July 19 and August 19, submit a photo to show us what you’re grilling, and the winner of our contest by popular vote will receive a $200 Butcher Boy gift card. The second place winner will receive a $100 gift card, 3rd place will receive a $75 gift card, and 4th place will receive a $50 gift card.

What’s your favorite summer meal on the grill? Do you have a specialty that brings friends and family to the backyard for a taste of summer? Maybe your burgers are second to none, or no one grills a steak to perfection the way you do. Are you creative with chicken? If you grill it, we want to see it!

Upload your photo submission to our contest page on Facebook, and if it gets the most likes, you’ll win a gift card to shop at Butcher Boy for all the ingredients you need for your next big cookout. Encourage your friends and family to vote for you to rack up your likes. Click here for all the contest details.

Not Your Average Independence Day

School’s out, and the lazy days of summer are just beginning. For most Americans, celebrating the Fourth of July is when the season of fun in the sun really kicks into high gear. Maybe you’ve celebrated in the past with a low-key backyard barbeque and coolers full of water, soda, and beer. Let us help you raise the bar with a more memorable menu for our country’s big birthday party.

Have you stocked up on entertaining basics? If so, you won’t have much shopping to do for serving utensils, string lights, and disposable plates to good use. If not, no problem! We’ve got what you need at Butcher Boy, including all things red, white, blue, and star-spangled.

Basic hamburgers can be taken up a notch with pre-made seasonings or rubs, or you can create a simple condiment bar for guests with favorites like bacon, cheese, dressings, and veggies in mason jars. Try a sirloin strip steak, grilled to perfection, sliced, and served on a platter. We can also help you select beef tips and meats you can marinate yourself. How about trays of grilled sausage and peppers with sliced rolls ready for party goers to make their own subs? Check out more July fourth recipe ideas we’ve shared before.

Don’t let preparing salads, side dishes, and desserts keep you inside and away from the party. The easiest option is to pick them up at Butcher Boy. We have traditional favorites – potato or pasta salad, baked beans, antipasto platters – fresh produce for a simple garden salad, and a variety of pastries, pies, and cakes to choose from.

Butcher Boy also carries a full selection of beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages for simple, one-stop shopping. A summer cocktail made in batches can provide welcome refreshment.

Update the well-known mimosa by swapping orange juice and champagne for lemonade and prosecco, poured over fresh blueberries for garnish. For a festive option the kids and adults who prefer something non-alcoholic will enjoy, use sparkling white grape juice, ginger ale or club soda instead of prosecco. Stick with the patriotic theme of the day with a red, white & blue sangria.

However you celebrate Independence Day, make it a memorable start to summer, with the promise of beach days, hikes, bike rides, and kayaking ahead.