Hosting a party this weekend and want to have the perfect do? Coming up with innovative cuisine combinations and making the dishes can seem quite a chore. That is why catering can be a Godsend when you want to impress your guests with the food you serve without having to labor over it. Bangalore has every option you can think of, from Parsi food to pasta, South Indian meals and even Maharashtrian thalis. Most caterers charge you by the plate and some even provide their own cutlery and crockery. Dig in.

Mast Kalandar (Also at Koramangala and Indiranagar)
A1, 80 Feet BDA Road, Opp. Ranka Apartments,
Off Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore-560076.
Tel: 080-41527475/7172

Mast Kalandar serves only Indian, vegetarian food. So if you want Coq Au Vin or Fried Kalamari stay away. That said, Mast Kalandar is a good bet if you want efficient service with a smile and simple, tasty food. While they can cater even for small numbers, for a larger group of people (around 50), they will also send at least two stewards. You can select from different set menus or request some combinations of your own. The birthday party menus are quite popular and they are good at suggesting what works and what doesn’t. Mast Kalandar makes different kinds of stuffed parathas and many Punjabi curries without the overdose of oil.

Catering Inn
672, 41/1, 8th Main
Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore-560022.
Tel - 080-23379122

Run by Chitra Bali, this is a huge catering outfit that serves regular meals to corporate houses and also caters for all kinds of parties. The advantage here is that they will prepare anything you want, from pav bhaji and pani puri to sandwiches and spring rolls. You need to give them at least three to four days notice. Transport to the venue will cost extra. Rates depend on the type of food and the number of items selected. They cater for a minimum number of 30 people.

Anna Minocher
32, Cunningham Road
Bangalore-560052.
Tel - 080-22254633

This well-known socialite is also a caterer of repute. Her food repertoire includes Parsi, European, Thai etc and is much in demand among the who’s who of Bangalore. Her catering is extremely popular for birthday parties. You can get some scrumptious bakes and snacks from her.

Hyderabad Biryani House
7/1 Victoria Road, Near Lifestyle Mall, Bangalore-47.
Tel - 080-65979203

Have an unplanned party coming up? Biryani and raita is the perfect answer. The simple and unassuming Hyderabad Biryani House on Victoria Road makes one of the best biryanis in the city and will rustle up orders for even 40-50 people at a day’s notice. You can choose from Mutton Biryani, Chicken Biryani and a pretty well done Vegetable Biryani. Kebabs are available too. The biryani is available by the plate.

Rolling Pins
Tai Tai Restaurant, Above The Bombay Store
M.G. Road, Bangalore-560001.
Tel - 080-41121451, 09343978266 (Denzil)

If you want liveried stewards, proper crockery and cutlery, a live kitchen for hot delicacies and a choice of menu that spans South East Asian, Thai, Indian and continental, call Rolling Pins. A professional catering outfit, they can take your order for medium sized parties even just two days ahead. You can also ask them to come and see the venue so that they can figure out where to place what.