Mediterranean Catering Pittsburgh: Building a Balanced Spread

What Mediterranean catering usually means

Mediterranean food spans many countries along the sea, but most menus share a few habits: grilled or roasted meats, grains and rice, fresh vegetables, olive oil, herbs, dips, and bread for scooping. At Pita My Shawarma, our Mediterranean dishes come from Lebanese cooking, so a spread centers on shawarma, falafel, hummus, and a few sauces that guests can mix and match.

The building blocks of a balanced spread

A good spread gives guests a choice at every stage. When you plan, think through these categories:

• Main protein: our hand-stacked halal chicken shawarma, rotisserie cooked and shaved, or gluten-free vegan falafel for a plant-based main.
• Dips: house-made hummus and house-made baba ganoush.
• Sides: fresh vegetables, a Lebanese salad, and rice bowls over Lebanese rice.
• Sauces: garlic (toum) sauce and tarator, a sesame sauce that pairs well with falafel.
• Bread: pita, which contains gluten, so label it clearly for guests who avoid gluten.
• Shareable extras: halloumi cheese fries, zaatar fries, and baklava for dessert.

How much to order

Start with the headcount and the kind of event. For a meal where shawarma is the main dish, many planners use a common starting point of about 6 to 8 ounces of cooked protein per adult. If you also add falafel, dips, and several sides, you can often plan a little less meat. Count vegetarian and gluten-free guests separately so each one has a complete plate and not only the sides.

For a long event, such as a wedding reception or a multi-hour party, guests tend to graze. Plan extra dips, bread, and fries for those hours. A shorter lunch with a clear timeline usually needs less backup, so ask your caterer to help you check the numbers before you confirm.

Keeping the food safe and fresh

Hot food should stay at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and cold items such as hummus and salads should stay at 40 degrees or below. Food left at room temperature for more than two hours is generally considered unsafe, so plan service in stages if the event runs long. Ask how the food will be transported and held, and whether the team will refresh trays during the event. Keep an eye on the clock from the moment food is set out, not just when it arrives.

Ordering from us

Pickup is always free. Delivery is available within a 10-mile radius for orders over $200. For full service with servers, contact us to discuss the details. Large orders need at least 24 to 48 hours of notice. Review our catering options, browse the menu, or call (412) 251-1279 with your date and headcount. We are located at 3716 Butler St in Lawrenceville, which you can also find on our locations page.