How to Design a Catering Menu in Canada (with Free Template)

From corporate events to backyard BBQs, catering can be a powerful revenue stream — if you get the menu right. Great catering menus don’t just list dishes. They guide decisions, communicate value, and reflect your brand.

Here’s how to design a catering menu that’s flexible, functional, and Canadian through and through — with expert tips, real examples, and a free template to help you get started.

Why Catering Menu Design Matters

Your catering menu is more than a list — it’s a sales tool. A well-designed menu can:

• Speed up bookings by making options clear and appealing.

• Improve margins through smart layout and pricing cues.

• Enhance customer experience at both booking and event stages.

According to the Toast Consumer Preferences Survey 2025, in which 200 Canadian restaurant-goers were polled on their restaurant design and menu preferences, 82.5% of Canadian diners say menu photos are very important or somewhat important.

Step-by-Step: How to Build a Catering Menu in Canada

1. List All Your Menu Items

Start with a spreadsheet in Google Sheets or Excel. Include item names, descriptions, prices, and allergens. This will form the base of your design.

2. Categorize for Clarity

Use Canadian-friendly terms like:

• Starters

• Mains

• Sides

• Desserts

• Beverages

Most Canadians (42.5%) prefer course-based categories over ingredient-based ones.

3. Price with Strategy

Pricing in catering is different from dine-in. It must account for:

• Prep and delivery logistics

• Portioning for groups

• Service add-ons (e.g., staff, utensils)

Pro tip: Canadians prefer whole-number pricing — $24 is favoured over $23.99.

Add value descriptors like “locally sourced” or “house-made” — 61.5% say this justifies higher pricing.

4. Write Clear Descriptions

Great descriptions spark appetite and trust:

• Be specific: “Spiced Ontario lamb skewers with mint yogurt”

• Include dietary icons: Vegan, Spicy, Contains dairy

• Share origin stories: “Inspired by family recipes from Nova Scotia”

5. Design for Print and Digital

In Canada, 59% of diners still prefer printed menus over digital ones. But QR menus and digital versions are growing in popularity, especially for eco-conscious events.

Choose software like Canva, PowerPoint, or Adobe Express. Keep it bilingual if you’re serving Quebec or government venues.

Design best practices:

• Limit menus to 1–2 pages

• Use hierarchy: bold section titles, clear pricing, icons

• Align text left for readability

6. Pick Fonts, Colours & Composition

Keep your menu aligned with your brand — playful, rustic, minimalist? Match the tone to the event too.

Photos are a major selling point in Canada — over 82% say visuals affect their order.

Hire a photographer or use smartphone portrait mode with good lighting and a clean background.

7. Highlight Best-Sellers & Seasonal Items

Use callouts like:

• Best Seller

• Local Favourite

• Available Summer 2025 Only

Seasonal rotations are popular — 40% say it increases their likelihood to return.

8. Provide Downloadable and Printable Options

Offer PDF and Word versions for download. Clients may want to print menus or annotate them during planning.

Menu Trends to Watch in Canada for 2025

According to the Toast Consumer Preferences Survey 2025, Canadian diners are making more intentional, values-driven choices when it comes to menu offerings. The top trends to watch include:

• Plant-Based Popularity: Vegan options are the most appealing trend overall

• Local Ingredients: 66% of Canadian consumers actively look for sustainable, locally produced food

• Loyalty-Driven Decisions: 76% of Canadians are more likely to return to venues with loyalty schemes

Final Thoughts

A sharp menu builds trust and excitement while answering the questions clients always ask: "Will this impress my guests? Is this caterer professional? Can they handle my event?" A poorly designed menu? It sends them looking elsewhere.

Whether you're launching your catering business or updating your current offerings, start with our free templates and create menus that turn browsers into bookings.