chances are, you'll be host to a celebration or two. But don't panic. Catering companies can help to ease you worries and allow you to actually enjoy your own party. "Caterers can save people a lot of time and stress,'' said BDA Cuisine caterer, Mr. Andy Muhlthaler. Catering companies can add that special touch to one's own preparations and cuisine or they can accommodate an occasion with everything from the tables, chairs and cutlery to the food, he noted. "We have clients that are very good cooks but they don't have time to make a big dinner. But we can supplement their cooking with whatever they need,'' he said. Caterers can also provide people with a menu they wouldn't otherwise be able to serve. "We can work with special produce that people can't get in a supermarket,'' said Mr. Muhlthaler. "Also some people would never try certain fancy dishes because they're not familiar with them.'' Caterers can also take care of everything without being too expensive, said Mr. Muhlthaler. "Catering is especially useful for office parties,'' he added. "Some businesses can't afford to go to a restaurant for a lavish Christmas party. But we can set up a meal in their workplace so at least they can have a Christmas party. It's very economical,'' he said. On specialties from BDA Cuisine, Mr. Muhlthaler said: "Our service is our specialty. We try to make every party a success. "The main thing is to keep our clients happy,'' he said. Mr. Andy Detzer of Little Venice Group Catering said catering takes a lot of pressure away from women since it is they who usually tend to Christmas decorations, buying gifts and the like. "Women just don't have the time to prepare and cook for a party,'' he said. "But if they hire caterers, they don't have to do anything.'' Like BDA Cuisine, the Little Venice Group can do as little or as much as a client would like. "We can add to a menu or we can prepare every course,'' said Mr. Detzer. "We will prepare, cook, clean and provide all of the service. No one has to get up from the table -- we take care of everything. And when we leave, it's as if we were never there.'' The Little Venice Group can even provide decorations from flower arrangements to wall decorations and Christmas ornaments. Clients usually ask the catering group for the traditional Christmas menu during the holiday season, which includes Butterball Turkey, Virginia Ham, cassava pie and Christmas puddings, noted Mr. Detzer. "But people like to have some variety and very often, we'll combine the traditional menu with regular dishes like fresh fish and prime rib. "It also depends on whether it's a sit-down or buffet-style dinner. Buffets have a larger choice of food,'' he said. Popular hors d'oeuvre items include shrimp, salmon, fish cakes and chicken skewers.

"But we don't set any limits on the food,'' said Mr. Detzer. The menu for office parties generally includes turkey, ham, pasta and different salads. But most important is the bar, he said. "People like to celebrate.'' Most businesses use restaurants and hotels for their office parties, noted Mr.

Detzer, adding that the Little Venice Group is using the Palm Reef Hotel this year as an alternative catering location.

"If clients don't have their own facilities for a party, we can use the Palm Reef,'' he said.

But catering companies generally get very busy during the Christmas season, warned Mr. Detzer.

So ease your anxieties and book now for fun-filled, worry-free celebrations.

CATERING -- Little Venice Group caterer, Mr. Andy Detzer (left) and company lay out a gourmet spread.