Let us provide you with expertise guidance as you plan your event.
Our services include personal consultation and step-by-step assistance to make sure that we exceed your highest expectations.
You may also schedule a 30-minute complimentary consultation to discuss your event and any questions or concerns you may have. To get in touch, please use the inquiry form below.
Please read the "Catering Policy" and contact us for pricing or a quote.
Esencias Panamenas Sample Catering Packages
Below are some example catering packages to give you a taste of the great food we have to offer for your corporate event or your special day
Sample Seated Menus
Appetizer
Assorted baked cocktail empanadas (beef, chicken, vegetarian)
Assorted fried cocktail carimanolas (beef, turkey, vegan) accompanied with tamarind sauce
Fish ceviche with plantain chips
Main course
Cucumber salad
Rolls with butter rosettes
Arroz con pollo (rice and chicken with peas & carrots and olives & capers)
Vegan Arroz “sin” pollo (made with plant-based chick’n)
Potato salad with beets
Cocktail assorted Tamal (chicken, vegetarian)
Candied sweet plantains
Dessert
Rum cake
Cocadas
Appetizer
Assorted baked empanadas (beef, chicken, vegetarian)
Assorted cocktail meatballs (beef, plant-based) tossed in a sweet & sour sauce
Spicy Caribbean fried codfish cakes with avocado aioli
Main course
House salad with arugula, mixed greens, onions, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, with ranch or balsamic vinaigrette
Rolls with butter rosettes
Pigeon peas and rice cooked in coconut milk
Pollo a la criolla (Spanish chicken in tomato-based sauce with olives and capers)
Grilled snapper filet in lime and culantro with a tropical pineapple and mango salsa
Fried sweet plantains
Dessert
Coconut flan
Appetizer
Miniature beef wellington with pesto sauce
Cucumber rounds topped with grilled salmon, cream cheese, and caviar
Bruschetta with roasted tomatoes and shaved asiago
Main course – Choose Two Entrees
Greens salad and bell pepper gathered by a cucumber ribbon with champagne vinaigrette dressing
Rolls with butter rosettes
Tenderloin of beef medallions with cognac sauce
Chicken breast with old bay beurre Blanc sauce
Oven-roasted salmon with tarragon butter sauce
Potatoes au gratin
Sauteed asparagus
Dessert
Lemon cake with raspberry coulis
Appetizer
Spicy Caribbean fried codfish cakes with avocado aioli
Tropical fish kabobs with pineapple and peppers
Array of fresh Caribbean fruits in season, such as mango, passion fruit, strawberries, honeydew
Main Course
Mixed field greens with tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots, with ginger-soy dressing
Caribbean jerk chicken with mango relish with rice and peas
Tropical curry beef with potatoes
Fried sweet plantains
Desserts
Guava and cream cheese pastelitos
Passion fruit flan
Appetizer
Mac & cheese balls with marinara sauce
Tomato bisque soup shooters
Assorted veggies in a cup accompanied with roasted peppers dip
Main Course
Green salad with heirloom tomatoes with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Jalapeno cornbread with butter rosettes
Pecan crusted chicken bread with bourbon pan jus
Fingerling roasted potatoes
Vegetable medley in garlic butter sauce
Desserts
Red velvet cake with cream cheese icing
Sample Buffet Menus
Hors D’oeuvres – Choose Seven
Assorted baked cocktail (flour) empanadas de harina (ground beef, ground chicken, cheese, plant-based and mix veggies crumbles)
Assorted fried cocktail (corn) empanadas de maiz (ground beef, ground chicken, cheese, plant-based and mix veggies crumbles)
Assorted fried cocktail carimanolas (yuca balls stuffed with ground beef, ground turkey, plant-based crumbles) with tamarind sauce
Yuca fries with culantro aioli
Mini Panamanian corn tortillas with white cheese
Patacones a.k.a. tostones (twice fried smashed green plantains) with mojo sauce
Patacones a.k.a. tostones rellenos (stuffed twice fried smashed green plantains) with ropa vieja marmalade
Assorted cocktail meatballs (beef, turkey, plant-based) tossed in a sweet & sour sauce
Apple, pearl onions, and smoked gouda cheese flat bread bites
Crispy baked chicken wings tossed in a mango BBQ sauce
Spicy Caribbean fried codfish cakes with avocado aioli
Fried fish bites accompanied with mini cornbread
Fish ceviche accompanied with plantain chips
Assorted cheeses accompanied with assorted mustards and gourmet crackers
Assorted veggies in a cup accompanied with roasted peppers dip
Spinach and carrots dip accompanied with assorted tortilla chips
Fried sweet plantains
Desserts
Assorted mini desserts display (cheesecake, brownies, flan, cake)
Seasonal fruits display
Appetizer
Soft tortillas
Ice burg lettuce
Shredded chicken
Shredded beef
Black and Green olives
Guacamole
Sour cream
Pico de Gallo
Assorted shredded cheese (cheddar,
Dessert – Choose One
Tres Leches Cake
Vanilla flan
Red velvet cake
Rum cake
Cocadas
Appetizer – Choose Four
Tossed salad with crisp lettuces, tomatoes, shredded carrots, cucumbers with choice of ranch or zesty Italian dressing
Assorted baked cocktail empanadas (ground beef, ground chicken, plant-based crumbles)
BBQ chicken skewers
Fried fish bites accompanied with mini cornbread
Assorted veggies crudité accompanied with gourmet crackers
Charcuterie board with assorted cheeses, deli meats, kalamata olives, and mixed nuts accompanied with flatbread pieces
Spinach and carrots dip accompanied with assorted tortilla chips
Desserts
Seasonal fruits display
Appetizer – Choose Three
Assorted baked cocktail (flour) empanadas de harina (ground beef, ground chicken, cheese, plant-based and mix veggies crumbles)
Assorted fried cocktail (corn) empanadas de maiz (ground beef, ground chicken, cheese, plant-based and mix veggies crumbles)
Assorted fried cocktail carimanolas (yuca balls stuffed with ground beef, ground turkey, plant-based crumbles) with tamarind sauce
Yuca fries with culantro aioli
Mini Panamanian corn tortillas with white cheese
Patacones a.k.a. tostones (twice fried smashed green plantains) with mojo sauce
Patacones a.k.a. tostones rellenos (stuffed twice fried smashed green plantains) with ropa vieja marmalade
Assorted cocktail meatballs (beef, turkey, plant-based) tossed in a sweet & sour sauce
Apple, pearl onions, and smoked gouda cheese flat bread bites
Crispy baked chicken wings tossed in a mango BBQ sauce
Spicy Caribbean fried codfish cakes with avocado aioli
Fried fish bites accompanied with mini cornbread
Fish ceviche accompanied with plantain chips
Assorted cheeses accompanied with assorted mustards and gourmet crackers
Assorted veggies in a cup accompanied with roasted peppers dip
Spinach and carrots dip accompanied with assorted tortilla chips
Main course
Tossed salad with crisp lettuces, tomatoes, shredded carrots, cucumbers with choice of ranch or zesty Italian dressing
Dinner rolls with butter rosettes
Entree – Choose Two
Arroz con pollo (rice and chicken with peas & carrots and olives & capers)
Vegan Arroz “sin” pollo (made with plant-based chick’n)
Tenderloin of beef strips in red wine sauce
Oxtail in V8 gravy
Pollo a la Criolla (Spanish chicken with olive & capers in tomato sauce)
Grilled chicken breast smothered in bourbon sauce
Jerk chicken with fresh pineapple salsa
Blackened snapper filet with lemon dill sauce
Oven-roasted salmon with tarragon butter sauce
Starch – Choose Two
Saffron Rice
Rice and pigeon peas cooked in coconut milk
4-cheeses Mac & Cheese
Rosemary roasted fingerling potatoes
Fried sweet plantains
Vegetables – Choose One
Sauteed asparagus
Vegetable Medley in garlic butter sauce
Steamed Broccoli
Green beans topped with sliced almonds
Dessert – Choose One
Tres Leches Cake
Vanilla flan
Red velvet cake
Rum cake
Cocadas
Seasonal Fruits display
*veggie (i.e, empanadas, pastelitos, carimañolas, veggie-balls): soy protein
**veggie (i.e., tamal and arroz "sin" pollo): meat-free chick'n
Empanada de harina de Carne, Pavo, o Vegetariano
Flour patties with beef, turkey, codfish, or veggie* filling
| Regular (Beef or Turkey) | $27 | $100 | $190 |
| Regular (Codfish or Veggie) | $30 | $110 | $200 |
| Cocktail (Beef or Turkey) | $21 | $80 | $135 |
| Cocktail (Codfish or Veggie) | $24 | $90 | $160 |
Pastelitos de Carne, Pavo, o Vegetariano
Puff pastries with beef, turkey or veggie*
| Regular (Beef or Turkey) | $25 |
| Regular (Veggie) | $28 |
Empanadas maiz de Carne, Pavo, o Vegetariano
Fresh ground corn patties uncooked, with beef, turkey, or veggie* filling
| Regular (Beef or Turkey) | $30 |
| Regular (Veggie) | $32 |
| Cocktail (Beef or Turkey) | $24 |
| Cocktail (Veggie) | $28 |
Tortillas
Fresh ground corn fritters - uncooked
| Corn fritters | $18 |
Carimanolas de Carne, Pavo, o Vegetariano
Fresh ground yucca balls, uncooked, stuffed with ground beef, turkey, or veggie* filling
| Uncooked, Regular - 2.5 oz (Beef or Turkey) | $30 | $100 | $200 |
| Uncooked, Regular - 2.5 oz (Veggie*) | $33 | $125 | $230 |
| Uncooked, Cocktail - 1 oz (Beef or Turkey) | $24 | $75 | $135 |
| Uncooked, Cocktail - 1 oz (Veggie*) | $26 | $90 | $165 |
Frituras Surtidas -
COMBO 1: (4) Empanadas de Maiz, (4) Carimanolas, (4) Tortillas de Maiz
COMBO 2: (6) Empanadas de Maiz, (6) Carimanolas
COMBO 3: (4) Empanadas de Maiz, (4) Carimanolas, 1.5 lbs Hojalda Masa
Fried food items (uncooked) -
Assortment 1: (4) fresh ground corn patties, (4) fresh ground yucca balls, (4) fresh ground corn fritters
Assortment 2: (6) fresh ground corn patties, (6) fresh ground yucca balls
Assortment 3: (4) fresh ground corn patties, (4) fresh ground yucca balls, 1.5 lbs fried dough
| Regular (Beef or Turkey) | $30 |
| Regular (Veggie*) | $33 |
Hojalda (Masa)
Fried dough - uncooked
| Prepared dough | $12/3lb |
Torrejas de Bacalao (Masa)
Codfish cakes dough - uncooked
| $36 | $70 | $140 |
Ceviche de Corvina
Panama Corvina fish cooked in lime juice, hot peppers, cilantro and red onions
| $60 | $115 | $220 |
Tamal de Hoja, congeladas, de Pollo o Vegetariano
Ground corn wrapped in banana leaves, frozen, with chicken or veggie**
Regular Orders - 1 doz minimum order (except during Christmas)
Cocktail Orders - 1 doz minimum order
| Regular (Chicken) | $100 |
| Regular (Veggie) | $110 |
| Cocktail (Chicken) | $55 |
| Cocktail (Veggie) | $65 |
*veggie (i.e, empanadas, pastelitos, carimañolas, veggie-balls): soy protein
**veggie (i.e., tamal and arroz "sin" pollo): meat-free chick'n
Arroz con pollo
Saffron rice with olives, capers, peas, carrots and chicken
| $50 | $90 | $155 |
Arroz "sin" pollo vegetariano
Saffron rice with olives, capers, peas, carrots and veggie chick'n**
| $60 | $110 | $175 |
Ensalada de feria, ensalada de papa con remolacha
Potato salad with beets
| $45 | $75 | $125 |
Pescado relleno a la escabeche
Snapper stuffed with veggies in escobeche sauce
| $175 | $275 |
Pescado relleno frito
Snapper stuffed with veggies, fried
| 150 | $250 |
Arroz con guandu y coco
Pigeon peas and rice cooked in coconut milk
| $50 | $75 | $110 |
Arroz con Azafran
Saffron rice
| $35 | $65 | $95 |
Macarron con Queso
Mac & Cheese
| $65 | $120 |
Pollo en salsa criolla
Spanish chicken, baked in tomato sauce with olives and capers – legs/thighs/breast
| $90 | $175 |
Bistec Picao'
Sirloin beef strips with garlic, onions, peppers in a tomato sauce
| $65 | $105 | $195 |
Rabo de Buey
Oxtail stew - baked with onions and peppers and finished on the stove
| $125 | $225 |
Bistec Vegetariano*
Beefless strips with onions and peppers, in a sweet & tangy sauce
| $75 | $125 | $225 |
Platano Frito
Sweet Plantains - fried
| $20 | $35 | $60 |
Platano en Tentacion
Candied Plantains - baked
| $30 | $50 | $80 |
Ensalada mixta (House Salad)
Choice of Ranch or Vinaigrette salad dressing
| $40 | $75 |
Vegetales mixtos en mantequilla
Vegetable medley, steamed, in butter sauce
| $50 | $90 |
Albondigas agri-dulce de carne o vegetariana
Sweet & sour meatballs or veggie* balls - 150 (1 oz) balls/full tray; 75 (1 oz) balls/half tray
| Beef or Turkey | $40 | $70 | $125 |
| Veggie | $50 | $95 | $180 |
Alitas de pollo en salsa barbacoa con mango
(Mango Barbecue Wings)
| $40 | $70 | $100 |
*veggie (i.e, empanadas, pastelitos, carimañolas, veggie-balls): plant based protein
**veggie (i.e., tamal and arroz "sin" pollo): plant based chick'n
Helado Casero
Homemade ice cream - Grape nut, rum raisin, coconut, ginger, sour sop (guanabana), Panamanian 'Duran' coffee
| $16 |
Cocadas con raspadura
Candied shredded coconut in pastry shells
| $24 | $90 | $160 |
Enyucado
Yuca (Cassava) Pone: 9" x 13" serves 15-20
| $30 |
Plantain tarts
Puff pastry with sweet plantain filling
| Regular size (5") | $36 |
| Cocktail size (3") | $24 |
Volteado de Piña
Pineapple upside down cake: 9" serves 12-16; half sheet serves 50-55
| $27 | $80 |
Volteado de Piña - Sin Gluten
Pineapple upside down cake - Gluten Free: 9" round cake serves 12-16; half sheet serves 50-55
| $32 | $95 |
Dulce de Ron Abuelo
Panamanian 'Ron Abuelo' rum cake: 10" bundt cake serves 16-20; half sheet serves 50-55
| $28 | $85 |
Dulce de Ron Abuelo - Sin Gluten
Panamanian 'Ron Abuelo' rum cake - Gluten Free: 10" bundt cake serves 15-20; half sheet serves 50-55
| $33 | $100 |
Dulce de Tres Leches
Three Milk cake: 9"x13" serves 15-20; half sheet serves 50-55
| $30 | $90 |
Dulce de Tres Leches - Sin Gluten
Three Milk cake - Gluten Free: 9"x13" serves 15-20; half sheet serves 50-55
| $35 | $105 |
Flan Casero
Homemade caramel custard – cream cheese, coconut, guava: 9" serves 12-16
| $28 |
Dulce de Fruta Navideño
Panamanian Christmas fruit cake – Christmas: 9" serves 12-16 - Seasonal
| $30 |
Easter Buns (Seasonal)
| $9 |
Picante Chombo
Panamanian Pepper Sauce
| $8 |
Pan Rosca (Seasonal)
Panamanian Christmas Braided Wreath Bread
| $25 |
Sorrell con jengibre
Hibiscus flower drink with ginger
| $30 |
Infusion de te frio con jengibre y limon
Ginger and lime Ice Tea
| $20 |
Chicha de raspadura con naranja
Orange and brown sugar drink
| $25 |
Chicheme
Hominy Corn drink
| $30 |
Chicha de tamarindo
Tamarind drink
| $30 |
Full Service Catering Policies
Our full service catering includes:
- a catering coordinator to oversee the set up and break down of the contracted menu
- service equipment
- serving area set-up that includes chafing dishes with heating components, décor, tablecloth, serving vessels, and serving utensils
- cleanup of the service area
Disposables: We offer high quality disposable utensils, plates, cups, and napkins for a charge of $6.00 per person
China Service: We can provide 3-piece white China place setting, glassware, silverware, and cloth napkins for a nominal fee of $10.00 per person.
Linen Service: Tablecloths for guests' tables are also available for an additional fee.
Booking & Deposit: The event date is not secured until the signed contract and the deposit are received.
- A deposit equaling 50% of the total value of the contract (of which $350 is non-refundable) is required upon signing the contract.
- A complimentary tasting, for up to 2 people, is included with the signed contract and deposit. Tasting is also offered for larger groups (3+) OR for potential customers with no signed contract, for an additional charge of $27.50 per person.
- The remaining 50% is required 2 weeks prior to the event. Servers and Bartenders are available for an additional fee.
Cancellation: The deposit (minus $350) will be fully refundable if written cancellation is received at least 21 days prior to the event. Cancellations received less than 21 days will incur a 25% charge to cover our investment, cancellations received less than 14 days will incur a 50% charge to cover our investment. No money will be returned if the cancellation is received less than 7 days from the event.
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