UN General Assembly Catering NYC

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do you cater UN General Assembly events in New York City?  

  Yes. Food Trends provides full-service catering for events throughout UN General Assembly week in New York City, including diplomatic receptions, delegation breakfasts, side-event and panel lunches, press events, and plated executive dinners. The 81st session (UNGA 81) opens September 8, 2026, and High-Level Week runs September 22–28, 2026. We serve Permanent Missions, consulates, UN agencies, nonprofits, foundations, corporate teams, and the agencies that produce side events throughout Manhattan and the greater New York City area.

• How far in advance should we book catering for UN General Assembly week?  

  As early as possible. Kitchen and staffing capacity for High-Level Week is typically committed by mid-to-late August, and we cap the number of events we accept per day so every client receives full attention. Six to eight weeks ahead is ideal. If your date is sooner than that, call us — we hold limited capacity for late additions and can often still help.

• How much does UN General Assembly catering cost per person in NYC?  

  Pricing varies based on the type of event and your guest count. A delegation breakfast, a passed hors d’oeuvres reception, and a formal plated dinner are priced very differently, and service style, staffing, bar packages, and venue requirements all factor in as well. Give us a call at (212) 972-7320 and one of our event planners will help tailor the event to your needs and work within your budget.

• What is the difference between kosher and kosher-style catering?  

  Kosher catering is certified and supervised by a rabbi or kosher certifying agency, with strict rules around ingredients, food preparation, equipment, and the separation of meat and dairy. Kosher-style catering follows the spirit of those traditions — using familiar flavors, culturally appropriate dishes, and avoiding pork and shellfish — but is not rabbinically certified. Food Trends offers kosher-style catering. If your event requires certified kosher service, we recommend working with a certified kosher caterer and we’re happy to refer you to trusted partners.

• Can you accommodate halal, vegetarian, vegan, and allergy needs at the same event?  

  Yes. UN General Assembly events bring together guests from every part of the world, and we build menus that accommodate halal, vegetarian, vegan, Jain, gluten-free, dairy-free, and allergy-sensitive needs within the same service, with clear labeling so every guest can choose confidently. We can also plan fully pork-free and alcohol-free events. If your event requires certified halal or certified kosher service, let us know and we will connect you with trusted certified partners.

• Do you handle Certificates of Insurance and building security requirements?  

  Yes. Our team manages Certificates of Insurance, venue and building approvals, staff name and identification lists for security advance teams, loading dock scheduling, and delivery timing. We are experienced with the documentation and vetting that Permanent Missions, consulates, and Midtown corporate towers require.

• Can you cater near UN Headquarters during street closures?  

  Yes. During High-Level Week, the area around First Avenue and East 42nd through 48th Streets is subject to security perimeters and street closures. We build delivery windows, staging locations, and staff arrival times around those restrictions so your service starts on time.

• Do you provide servers and licensed bartenders?  

  Yes. We provide servers, event captains, on-site chefs, and insured, licensed bartenders. Our staff are experienced with high-profile, protocol-sensitive events and understand the discretion these gatherings require.

• Can you cater more than one event in the same day?  

  Yes. We regularly run multiple events in a single day and can support multi-day programs for organizations and agencies producing several gatherings across UN General Assembly week, up to our daily capacity.

• Do you work with tax-exempt organizations or international billing?  

  Yes. We regularly work with nonprofits, foundations, and diplomatic offices, and can accommodate tax-exempt documentation and invoicing requirements. Tell us about your billing process when you reach out and we will match it.

• What happens if our guest count changes at the last minute?  

  UN General Assembly schedules shift, and we plan for it. Your proposal includes a final headcount deadline along with the flexibility we can offer beyond it. Call us as soon as you know and we will adjust wherever the kitchen and staffing allow.

• Can you serve an early morning delegation breakfast?  

  Yes. Early breakfast service is one of the most requested formats during UN General Assembly week. We handle early load-in and setup, hot and continental breakfast, espresso and coffee service, and quiet, efficient staffing so briefings and bilateral meetings begin on schedule.

• Do you also cater Climate Week NYC events?  

  Yes. Climate Week NYC runs September 20–27, 2026, overlapping UN General Assembly High-Level Week, and many of the organizations hosting side events during the General Assembly are hosting sustainability programming the same week. We cater roundtables, panel receptions, executive dinners, and multi-day activations across both. See our Climate Week NYC catering page for details.