As the festive season approaches, planning a Christmas feast for a group of ten can be both exciting and challenging.
Whether you are hosting family, friends, or colleagues, How’s Catering offers a convenient and delicious solution.
Having been around since 1991, the Halal-certified How’s Catering has introduced various Christmas catering sets good for groups for various sizes.
I found the Whimsical Holiday iHEAT® set, priced at $398.00 for 10 pax with 12 items ($429.84 with GST) very convenient.
There is also a Joyful Holiday iHEAT® ($298, $321.84 with GST) good for 10 pax with 10 items.
So what’s iHEAT®?
The iHEAT mini buffet comes with self-heating boxes. This feature ensures that your festive meal stays hot, making it a perfect fit for small to medium-sized gatherings or office meetings.
The convenience of these self-heating boxes, coupled with the fact that the set includes biodegradable disposable cutlery, makes it a hassle-free choice.
The set also includes a complimentary Snack Pack Set of Nacho Chips with Guacamole and Nacho Dips for self-collection orders (above $188.00), adding an extra touch of value.
Here’s what I tried for the Whimsical Holiday iHEAT® set which has 12 dishes of generous portions:
Christmas Salad – Cranberry Kale Salad with Spiced Chickpeas & Homemade Pomegranate Dressing
Start with the Christmas Salad, which combines cranberry kale with spiced chickpeas, all tossed in a pomegranate dressing made in-house.
This had a blend of sweet and tangy flavours, with the cranberries providing a refreshing and festive touch.
I found the highlight to be the pomegranate dressing which tied it all together with its vibrant fruitiness.
Portuguese Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken
The grilled chicken slices are marinated in a mildly spicy (still manageable), tangy peri-peri sauce.
With succulent chicken with a slight smoky char, this should appeal to those who enjoy a bit of heat.
Provencal Traybake – Locally Farmed Barramundi Fish Fillet
This dish stands out for its simplicity and freshness.
The flaky barramundi is baked which allows the natural taste of the fish to shine, and its delicate flavour complemented by a light, herby seasoning.
Creamy Salsa Gambas Al Ajillo
The prawns that are sautéed in a rich and creamy salsa that has a hint of garlic and a subtle spiciness.
With the self-heating boxes, the sauce remained smooth (didn’t dry up) and suitably warm.
Mexican Taco Baked Casserole
A hearty blend of classic taco ingredients baked into a casserole form.
What you get is the spiciness of the taco seasoning complementing the savoury ground meat.
Kids would like the cheese melted on top which adds a creamy texture.
Roasted Winter Vegetables Ratatouille
A medley of roasted vegetables, ideal for those looking for a healthier option.
Turkey Sausage with Cranberries in Caramelised Onion Gravy
The turkey sausages are juicy, with the cranberries adding a hint of sweetness that cuts through the richness.
I found this dish quite saucy, with the sweet-savoury caramelised onion gravy good to go with other dishes (such as the Spaghetti).
Kabocha Croquettes with Garlic Aioli
Even after delivery, these croquettes were still slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with the sweet, earthy flavour of kabocha squash shining through.
Give it a dip on the garlic aioli which adds a garlicky punch.
Spaghetti Aglio Olio with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Olives
For the carb main, there is a choice between Low GI Moroccan Brown Rice with Raisins & Almond Flakes OR Spaghetti Aglio Olio with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Olives.
I chose the spaghetti which had a garlic oil base light yet aromatic, with the strands of pasta evenly coated with fragrance and flavour.
The addition of sun-dried tomatoes imparted a tangy flavour that contrasted well with the subtle taste of the olives.
Sleigh Sweets Bites – Cinnamon Cherry Raisins Panna Cotta
End the meal with a sweet note with the creamy and smooth Panna Cotta – velvety, melting in your mouth with each spoonful.
Loved the subtle spice of cinnamon, which paired well with cherries and raisins.
Sleigh Sweets Bites – Mixed Fruits Peel & Date Pudding Cake
This cake was on the moist and slightly dense side.
The combination of mixed fruits and dates creates a caramel-like sweetness, complemented by the occasional citrusy hint from the fruit peels.
Sleigh Sweets Bites – Caramel Banoffee Macchiato Tart
The tart combines the rich taste of caramel and the creamy, banana-infused goodness of banoffee.
The macchiato element adds a subtle coffee flavour, along with buttery crust.
Overall, I found the iHEAT mini buffet fuss-free and convenient, ensuring that guests can enjoy a hot meal.
Plus, the variety and quality of the 12 dishes come at an affordable price for its portion. It offers the richness of a full-scale buffet but in a more intimate and manageable size.
Whether it’s a family gathering or a casual office party, this makes the Christmas celebrations both delightful and stress-free.
T&C:
– How’s Catering Christmas menu is valid from 27th Nov 2023 – 1st Jan 2024.
– Promotion is not valid in conjunction with any other promotions or discounts.
– Complimentary 1x Snack Pack Set (Nacho Chips with Guacamole and Nacho Dips) for all self-collection orders above $188.00 (before GST).
– iHEAT mini buffet and platter box include biodegradable disposable cutlery, no set up will be provided.
Check out How’s Catering for other festive menus, delivery options, and T&Cs.
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with How’s Catering.
