{"id":1218,"date":"2023-05-05T12:23:28","date_gmt":"2023-05-05T02:23:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/?p=1218"},"modified":"2023-07-25T11:22:25","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T01:22:25","slug":"what-is-brunch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/what-is-brunch\/","title":{"rendered":"Not quite breakfast, not quite lunch: what is brunch?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Breakfast and lunch are arguably our two most important meals for daily life, but there&#8217;s something special about combining the two occasions into one delicious dining experience. Whether it&#8217;s because you enjoyed a well-deserved sleep in or just want to indulge with a big weekend meal, a brunch menu can be an exciting change to your usual routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond being a change of pace for your week, brunch is the perfect excuse to catch up over a medley of traditional breakfast foods and lunch items. With the easy-going nature of morning breakfast mixed with the heartiness of lunch, there&#8217;s no limits to how weekday or weekend brunch can be prepared!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So how do we define brunch, and what foods make for the best brunch menu?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is brunch?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Surely you&#8217;ve heard of &#8216;brunch&#8217; before (a combination of &#8216;breakfast&#8217; and &#8216;lunch&#8217;) It feels like brunch became all the rage in the &#8217;90s, but it actually goes much further back than that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brunch is a popular socialization meal, rising in prominence from the British upper classes in the 1800s. The creation of the &#8216;weekend&#8217; allowed most employees the chance to stay up later on Friday and Saturday nights. This left them sleeping past their usual breakfast hours, which is why brunch became necessary and a symbol of the previous night&#8217;s merriment continuing into the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The trend of meeting for a Saturday or Sunday brunch continues today. Restaurants and cafes alike often serve substantial brunch food alongside alcoholic drinks to continue the weekend celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/colin-michel-7N8amvEYF-0-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1229\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/colin-michel-7N8amvEYF-0-unsplash-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/colin-michel-7N8amvEYF-0-unsplash-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What time is brunch?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch, it often happens around and between these meals. You will see most venues offering a typical brunch menu from 11am-3pm as breakfast menus transitions into lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some cultures may have different timings due to their usual meal times, but most focus on the socialization aspect of brunch meaning brunch will usually be timed in accordance with what most people perceive is a good time to catch up &#8211; and whenever is socially acceptable to start drinking!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/maddi-bazzocco-786K4OK_Dfo-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/maddi-bazzocco-786K4OK_Dfo-unsplash-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/maddi-bazzocco-786K4OK_Dfo-unsplash-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is brunch food?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, a brunch menu will feature a combination of breakfast and lunch foods, often with both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks on offer. These menus are usually structured as individual servings, but some restaurants also offer a dedicated brunch buffet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the case that a restaurant or cafe does not offer a specific brunch menu, they will usually offer an all-day or late breakfast menu instead. These menus will commonly feature foods like fresh fruit, sweet dishes and pastries, egg dishes, or a &#8216;big breakfast&#8217; with hearty fare like bacon, hash browns, and waffles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/davey-gravy-QnVBdXQabdw-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/davey-gravy-QnVBdXQabdw-unsplash-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/davey-gravy-QnVBdXQabdw-unsplash-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eggs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Egg dishes are incredibly versatile, working for any meal of the day up to and including dinner. However, they truly shine at brunch time, with both sweet and savory options served in sizable portions; the perfect cure after a late night out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brunch menus will frequently feature several different dishes based around eggs, with some of the most common options being:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Eggs benedict<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Poached eggs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Frittatas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fried eggs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Omelets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breakfast burritos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The various ways an egg can be cooked make it appealing to many, which is why it is a popular brunch item on any menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-style-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=banner&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-brunch\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"820\" height=\"175\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Blog-Banner-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Blog-Banner-2.png 820w, https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Blog-Banner-2-480x102.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 820px, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pancakes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A classic staple to the breakfast menu, pancakes popularity does not just come from their nostalgic taste of childhood, but also their ability to be enjoyed with various toppings. Fresh fruit, honey, Nutella, cream cheese, ice cream, and so much more can all be enjoyed alongside or atop a stack of pancakes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If that&#8217;s not enough, the pancakes themselves can be cooked in multiple ways, with plenty of brunch menus offering miniature Dutch pancakes, or even gluten- or dairy-free options. They are the perfect choice for your Sunday meal and go well with a nice, hot coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Waffles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Much like pancakes, brunch menus also often feature waffles as an inclusion of traditional breakfast foods. Waffles also pair well with sweet toppings, like maple syrup, fruits, and whipped cream being the favorites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, many restaurants also serve waffles as a savory dish, with bacon, cheese, and even sweet potatoes being cooked into or added to the dish. Of course, chicken and waffles is a delicious dish that can&#8217;t be forgotten! Such a dish suits an occasion, but especially brunch time when people might want both sweet and savory options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rachel-park-hrlvr2ZlUNk-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rachel-park-hrlvr2ZlUNk-unsplash-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rachel-park-hrlvr2ZlUNk-unsplash-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Toast<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No brunch buffet is complete without your pick of toast! Caterers, private chefs and restaurants will go above and beyond the old &#8216;sliced white&#8217; when it comes to brunch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether it&#8217;s including a simple side of toast or making it the main star with a stack of French toast or avocado smash, brunch menus simply must include some form of toast. Toast&#8217;s popularity as a breakfast food, combined with its adaptability to be both savory and sweet, makes it a necessary addition to any brunch affair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quiche<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Quiche is a savory food that works well for any meal of the day, which is why it is an increasingly popular option on brunch menus. This dish is also easy for hospitality venues to prepare and serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s no end to what can be used in a quiche either, making it that much more appealing. While all quiches include a generous serving of eggs and dairy, they can be made with many different combos of meats and vegetables, including mushrooms, bacon, ham, and spinach. For those looking for something more filling to eat at brunch, quiche is a popular choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-brett-stone-2874780-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-brett-stone-2874780-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-brett-stone-2874780-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fruit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to brunch, fruit is often included in many different forms and flavors. Fresh blueberries, strawberries, and other sweet fruits can often be seen as a garnish or topping for meals, while jams made of fresh fruit are also often included with servings of pastries, toast, oatmeal, or yogurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many venues also serve fresh fruit based on what is local and in season, so brunch-goers can truly enjoy the taste of the local cuisine and the pick of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sandwiches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps one of the most adaptable foods out there, sandwiches feature on most cafe and restaurant menus regardless of the time of day. The various fillings for a sandwich make it suitable for any venue and cuisine, while its quick assembly endears it to the hungry brunch crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Any combination of proteins, vegetables, and spreads can be used on sandwiches, from the delicacy of smoked salmon and cream cheese to the spices of chorizo and sriracha. Sandwiches may seem like a simple meal choice, but special occasions like brunch can have them served in new and delicious ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-helena-lopes-1861787-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-helena-lopes-1861787-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-helena-lopes-1861787-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is bottomless brunch?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bottomless brunch is a specific period of time, generally around two hours, where you get to enjoy unlimited alcohol along with an a la carte or set brunch menu. It is typically enjoyed by large groups of friends on weekends, but other occasions like work meetings and celebrations also enjoy the communal nature of bottomless brunches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>aAbottomless brunch is the perfect time to catch up  and enjoy the day, with any concerns of an empty bloody mary or mimosa glass handled by the hosts refilling it. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the unlimited libations until your time is up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-helena-lopes-693267-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-helena-lopes-693267-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-helena-lopes-693267-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to serve for brunch: The perfect brunch menu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Figuring out what to serve for brunch often depends on several factors and how they intersect, including what kind of occasion you are meeting for, people&#8217;s individual tastes or dietary requirements, and if there&#8217;s a theme you want to follow. A brunch networking event is a very different setting to a casual Sunday brunch with friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, a more formal event held at brunch time would focus on a brunch menu that is more suitable for mingling. This may mean using a brunch appetizer menu, or a type of<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/grazing-table\" target=\"_blank\"> grazing menu<\/a>. If you want to add a twist to traditional brunch foods, there are menus available where classic meets contemporary, or even where modern Asian cuisine is on offer to bring some variety to guests&#8217; palates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can add a bit more glam to such an event by choosing a cocktail party theme, which encourages guests to put their best foot forward to match the elegant drinks and food on offer, or even go in the opposite direction by making brunch a little more communal with offerings of elevated BBQ cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In contrast, a casual brunch affair with family or friends should be designed around intimate seating. This allows people to sit together and catch up over drinks and delicious food. Individual servings may be preferred, but grazing boards can just be as useful in this setting. If you have an especially large family, or are just looking to splurge at your next gathering, you can make brunch a gourmet 3-course affair to really wow your loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/nani-williams-kLSrwr3aW3E-unsplash-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/nani-williams-kLSrwr3aW3E-unsplash-1-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/nani-williams-kLSrwr3aW3E-unsplash-1-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Organize an effortless brunch experience with Gathar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Organizing your own menu for brunch at home or at a hired venue of choice can seem overwhelming, especially when juggling guest lists, dietaries, and so much more! Fortunately, Gathar offers quality brunch catering suited for any occasion, with the option to choose from curated menus or the chance to design your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/how-it-works\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">process works<\/a> by matching you with the perfect Culinarian who can make your dream brunch menu a reality, with constant correspondence available to keep you updated or add any new requests that come to your mind. Any menu can be tailored in accordance with specific dietary or cultural requirements in mind, ensuring no one has to miss out on restaurant quality meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With included labor and transport, Gathar makes organizing your brunch experience effortless! Our brunch services are on offer across the US, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/catering\/los-angeles\/brunch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Los Angeles<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/catering\/san-francisco\/brunch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Francisco<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/catering\/austin\/brunch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Austin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/book\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/book\" target=\"_blank\">Contact us online<\/a> to get started on organizing your next great get-together with friends, family, or colleagues!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Breakfast and lunch are arguably our two most important meals for daily life, but there&#8217;s something special about combining the two occasions into one delicious dining experience. Whether it&#8217;s because you enjoyed a well-deserved sleep in or just want to indulge with a big weekend meal, a brunch menu can be an exciting change to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":1223,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37,32],"tags":[53,22],"class_list":["post-1218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gatherings-and-parties","category-menu-inspiration","tag-brunch","tag-private-chef"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1218"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1312,"href":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1218\/revisions\/1312"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gathar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}