Some people travel to Germany for Oktoberfest each fall, while others look for authentic German restaurants in their communities at which to celebrate. If you're keen on this celebration but like the idea of staying a little closer to home, organizing your own Oktoberfest party might be an idea that appeals to you. Instead of trying to master German cuisine, look for a local catering service that specializes in this type of fare. This will leave you time for more important tasks, such as buying party accessories and, of course, choosing some authentic German beers that your guests can enjoy. Here are some things that should be on your Oktoberfest menu.
Sausages And Sauerkraut
There's perhaps no combination of foods that is as synonymous with Oktoberfest as sausages and sauerkraut, so you'll definitely want to make sure that your caterer can provide a large volume of this fare. Buns, mustard, and other complementary items will also be important. Your caterer may have a variety of German sausages from which you can choose; generally, sausages such as bratwurst or knackwurst can be appropriate to serve to your guests for Oktoberfest. There are several types of sauerkraut, but one that includes caraway seeds might be more appealing to your guests.
Pork Schnitzel
Sausages might be the type of food that people most closely associate with Oktoberfest, but they're certainly not the only fare that you'll want to have on your party's menu. Another appropriate option is pork schnitzel, which consists of a thin cutlet of pork that is breaded in seasoned flour and then fried. Schnitzel has a number of regional variations, including serving it with fries or serving it with mushroom sauce. You can talk with your caterer about a variation that will appeal to you and your guests.
Strudel
Your Oktoberfest guests may load up on sausages, schnitzel, and beer, but they'll all want to save room for some dessert. For this type of gathering, strudel is an appropriate sweet treat to enjoy at the end of the meal. A common style is apple strudel, which essentially consists of cooked apples, sugar, raisins, and cinnamon inside of a thin pastry. You'll want to ensure that your catering service provides some fresh whipped cream, too, as it will complement this dessert well. Speak to the catering service about any other German-themed dishes that you may want to include on your Oktoberfest party menu.
