Holiday Catering.

• Author: Anderson, Tasha
• Position: A GIFT TO ALL EAT

If there's one thing everyone loves about the holidays, it's the food. Well, eating the food. Preparing, perhaps; transporting and cleaning up after the food isn't quite as alluring as the dining part of the equation. Luckily for businesses large and small, as well as nonprofits and individuals putting on an event, there are fantastic caterers throughout Alaska ready to provide any tasty treat needed, be it appetizers, entrees, desserts, or all of the above.

Alaska Coastal Catering (alaskacoastalcatering.com) provides "upscale and unique corporate catering within your office, home, or private venue" in South-central Alaska. Susie Von Wilier Linford is the corporate chef and managing member for Alaska Coastal Catering; she says, "We pride ourselves on creating specialty menus designed with the clients' dietary requirements in mind. Gluten free and vegetarian menus are two areas where we excel. We also offer our clients full menu options that include Alaskan grown produce, fresh Alaskan seafood, poultry and meats."

The company can provide catering services for up to 500 guests with its staff of more than twenty-five culinary artists. Alaska Coastal Catering is conscious of food waste and sustainability and the company's policy is to not throw out usable food products after an event; rather, clients are invited to take home leftovers from the event that Alaska Coastal Catering will even wrap up for their personal use. Whatever food is left over after that is donated to Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission, which in turn helps to feed Anchorage's homeless population.

Dianne's Wild Fork Catering (catennganchoragealaska.com) provides "feel good food" for both corporate and private events. According to the company, "Dianne's is the corporate catering specialist for the Anchorage business community. Our menus are designed to complement your needs and satisfy your guests. We have made it convenient to order from us. We provide a complete solution with timely service and delicious food. Our specialties are breakfast and lunch meetings, business after hours, open houses, grand openings, employee celebrations or achievements, and holiday gatherings."

The company's online menus offer options for breakfast and lunch buffets, box lunches, appetizer platters and buffets, and dinner buffets. Dianne's Wild Fork Catering can accommodate groups varying in size from 10 to 500 or more and uses sustainable, earth-friendly disposable products. The company states, "Our team of professionals have been serving our wonderful food to clients at business meetings, open houses, and life celebrations in and around Anchorage for many years. The experience we have gained allows us to...