MANILA, Philippines – The Christmas season is here, and with it comes a schedule decked with parties, reunions, and potlucks. There’s no time to spend hours in the kitchen or rush to the grocery store last minute, so food trays and platters have become the real MVPs of holiday gatherings.

These ready-to-serve creations of small businesses will not only save you from stress but also know how to impress — so feast your eyes (and appetites) on these convenient and delicious options that can liven up your holiday spread this year.

FoodTray2Go

FoodTray2Go is a family-run business founded by grandmother Anna Lok, whose recipes have been passed down since 1956. What started as a passion for sharing heirloom dishes with close friends has grown into a well-known food tray provider for households, offices, and even school cafeterias across Metro Manila.

Her time-honored menu is a treasure trove of over 200 freshly cooked dishes, offering Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino classics as well as Western comfort food. They even provide customizable packages to cater to your party size — the large food trays can accommodate 5, 10, 15, or 20 pax. They also have individual packed meals.

Can’t decide which to choose? We tried the following trays, and they all left us satisfied: the garlicky and saucy Beef Salpicao; the Chicken Teriyaki in a sweet-soy sauce; and the certified crowd-pleaser Baked Cheesy Garlic Prawns that was creamy, garlicky, and indulgent.

For something light but flavorful, there’s the Baked Fish with White Sauce; the crispy, traditional Sisig; the crunchy and addictive Crispy Kangkong with Garlic Mayo Dip; and for dessert, the sweet and refreshing Mango Sago to end your feast on a high note. Prices start at P1,100 for most trays that can feed up to 10 pax — a very reasonable price to pay.

You can place your advanced orders via www.foodtray2go.com, via email at orders@foodtray2go.com, or through 0917-702-6395 / 7577-8386.

Nono’s

The homegrown restaurant and bakery founded by c=Chef Baba Ibazeta-Benedicto offers hassle-free party platters of Nono’s best-selling dishes.

For appetizers, there’s the Honey Barbecue Chicken Salad (P2,410), Oriental Shrimp Salad (P1,690), or Caesar Salad (P1,350). For the main event, classics like Roasted Beef Belly (P5,575) or Pork Belly Balsamic Adobo (P2,495) are available, as well as the Miso Glazed Salmon (P3,650) or the Parmesan Crusted Fish with Spaghettini (P3,180) for seafood lovers.

Nono’s signature Homestyle Fried Chicken (P3,145) or bite-sized Chicken Bites (P2,095) can be ordered, and for pasta lovers, you can’t go wrong with the Classic Bolognese (P1,770) or the creamy Pesto with Grilled Chicken (P2,255). Each tray can serve 8–10 people.

You can place orders via their website.

The Moment Group

Moment Catering — the catering arm of the Moment Group (Ooma, Manam, Din Tai Fung, 8Cuts) — offers curated trays of holiday favorites across its different restaurants! Perfect for gatherings of 6–8 guests, the Filipino Faves A (P3,500) brings comfort classics to your table: Ensaladang Mangga, Lechon Manok, Beef and Oxtail Cheesy Caldereta, Crispy Pata, Pancit Sisig, Lumpiang Sariwa, and Bibingka Galapong for dessert. Filipino Faves B (P4,500) takes it up a notch with Lumpia Trio, Cheesy Embutido, Beef Salpicao, Cebu Lechon Pork Belly, Pancit Palabok, Crispy Lumpiang Ubod, and Suman with Latik.

For an international twist, International Faves A (P3,500) offers a global spread with Ooma Maki Trio, Drunken Chicken, 8Cuts Burger Sliders, Baked Salmon Gratin, Mushroom Aglio Olio, Roasted Vegetables, Truffle Parmesan Mashed Potato, and a 6-inch Burnt Cheesecake. The International Faves B (P4,500) packs a Dimsum Platter, 8Cuts Oh-Rings, Porchetta with Pan Gravy, Dino Ribs, Creamy Pesto Fusilli Pasta with Grilled Chicken, Truffle Parmesan Mashed Potato, Roasted Vegetables, and a 6-inch Apple Pie for a sweet finish.

For orders, you can get in touch via events@momentgroup.ph, 0919 084 5479, or www.catering.momentfood.com.

Tuteng’s Kitchen

Tuteng’s Kitchen is a small family-run business, serving food trays inspired by the recipes of the owner’s late mother. It’s all about comforting classics and family favorites on the menu, like the best-selling Sotanghon Supreme, packed with garlicky goodness, chicken, and wood-ear mushrooms.

Another standout is the Baked Salmon with Spinach Cream, where perfectly baked salmon that’s flaky, tender, and moist meets a flavorful spinach sauce, garnished with fried capers, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus for a fresh and balanced meal. To round off the feast, the refreshing Mango Sticky Rice is a good option.

You can place your orders via Instagram or 09178991109.

China Mommy

China Mommy’s Cured Christmas Ham isn’t just a holiday staple; it’s a labor of love, tradition, and dedication. Every year, the signature ham is crafted originally by the founder’s mom with her secret recipe. For 2024, China Mommy collaborated with a family of ham-makers with over three decades of expertise to bring Mom’s recipe to life in higher volumes, without compromising taste or quality.

The new and improved Christmas Ham (soft, sweet, salty) is priced at P1,280 per kilo, and it comes in a gifting box with pineapple sauce. It’s best enjoyed with rice, sandwiched in pandesal, or as a festive centerpiece!

You can place your orders online.

Butternut MNL

Butternut Bakery’s limited-edition Christmas cakes are extra festive in design this year — the local bakery’s Oh Christmas Tree Cake (PP1,850) is a white chocolate tiramisu with green frosting and gold accents, while the Holly Jolly Cake (P1,400), is a cocoa cake decorated with wreaths, and the Snowman’s Festive Delight (P1,600) is a moist carrot cake with a merry red-and-white theme.

Pre-orders can be made via website and picked up at Butternut’s branches in SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Alabang West Parade, and Mitsukoshi BGC.

Leonisa’s Kitchen

Small business Leonisa’s Kitchen presents its 2024 Holiday Collection featuring a limited-edition Christmas Wreath (P1,950) — a centerpiece including Neapolitan cream puffs nestled between almond shortbread cookies, topped with chocolate mousse, truffles, fresh strawberries, and macarons.

The Festive Fruitcake is coated in rich dark chocolate and roasted almonds; a twist to the classic.

Henry’s Sugar-Free Chocolate Cake offers sugar-free indulgence with layers of milk chocolate cremeux, dark chocolate mousse, almond crumble, and more, all crafted with Belgian chocolate. It’s available in 6.5″ or 8″ sizes, with an optional Christmas design for an added P150.

You can pre-order via Instagram. – Rappler.com