Every December, the same thing happens in offices across Toronto. Someone gets put in charge of the holiday party, opens a search bar, and realizes the good caterers are already booked.
I’m Chef Diona, and my family has been feeding big crowds since the ’80s. In Filipino culture, a party isn’t a party unless there’s too much food and everyone leaves with a container. That’s exactly the energy you want at an office celebration. Here’s how to plan one that people will actually talk about in January.
Why Filipino food works so well for office parties
Filipino food was made for sharing. Most of our dishes are served family-style from big trays, which means no fussy plating and no waiting on individual orders.
It also hits every taste in the room. The Filipino palate is built on sweet, sour and salty, so there’s something for the adventurous eater and something familiar for the colleague who “doesn’t do spicy.” And honestly, it’s a conversation starter. Half your team will have a story about their Tita’s pancit. The other half will be trying ube for the first time.
Book early: the timeline that works
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. Here’s the timeline I recommend:
- 6 to 8 weeks out: pick your date and get a rough headcount. Fridays in December fill first.
- 4 weeks out: request a quote and lock in your caterer.
- 2 weeks out: confirm your menu and any dietary needs.
- 3 to 5 days out: give your final headcount.
We need 3 business days’ notice for catering orders, and December dates go quickly. If your party is before the holidays, now is the time to reach out.
How much food to order per person
For a lunch or early-evening party where the food is the main event, plan on:
- 1 to 2 mains per person (we’ll suggest a mix)
- 1 rice or noodle dish portion per person
- 1 to 2 appetizers per person
- 1 dessert per person
If it’s a cocktail-style event with drinks and mingling, lean heavier on finger food and lighter on mains. Not sure? Tell us your headcount and the time of day, and we’ll size it for you. We would rather you have leftovers than run out.
A crowd-pleasing holiday menu
Here’s a menu that works for almost any office:
To start: lumpia (Filipino spring rolls), chicken adobo sliders, our beef brisket bao, and sisig fries for the people who hover by the buffet.
Mains: chicken adobo, lechon kawali (crispy pork belly), and a vegetable dish.
Rice and noodles: garlic rice and pancit or palabok. In Filipino tradition, noodles at a celebration mean long life, so they’re a must.
Dessert: ube treats and leche flan or cassava cake.
Want to go big? A kamayan spread, where food is laid out on banana leaves and everyone eats together, turns lunch into the highlight of the year.
Just want to pick up a few trays? Browse our Filipino party platters and order online. There’s no minimum on party trays.
Planning for dietary needs
Most offices have a mix of vegetarians, halal diets, and allergies. Let us know when you request your quote. We can build vegetarian options into any package, and we also offer halal Filipino food through our sister brand, Mindanao Foods. Always flag allergies early so we can prepare safely.
Budget: what to expect
Office catering starts at $18 per person for groups of around 100, with a $500 minimum for catering (party trays have no minimum), and we can build a custom menu for any size. We deliver anywhere in the GTA, and we offer drop-off with setup or full-service catering with staff. We’re happy to work with your budget. Tell us the number and we’ll build the best menu we can around it.
We also cater through Epicater, if your company already orders through them.
Why teams choose Tita Flips
We’ve been cooking Filipino food for crowds since the ’80s, started Kanto at Market 707 on Dundas Street West in 2011, and now cater corporate events across the city, including as a vendor at the Royal Ontario Museum. Every tray comes from our kitchen in Scarborough, made fresh for your event.
Ready to plan your party?
Tell us your date, headcount and budget, and we’ll send you a menu within 24 hours.
Or call us at 416-893-0737 or email info@titaflips.com.
Maligayang Pasko, and happy planning!
Chef Diona, Tita Flips