Tandoori Catering: Everything You Need to Know for Your Next Corporate Event
Written by CaterCow Staff • October 1, 2025
When you’re ordering Indian corporate catering, few dishes excite a crowd like Tandoori. With its smoky flavors, signature char, and vibrant presentation, tandoori foods are the Indian equivalent of American BBQ—traditional yet universally loved. When you’re planning an office lunch for 50 or a celebration for 100, understanding how tandoori works will help you order the right dishes for your team. We sat down with two experts in Indian catering to get insider knowledge of the ins and outs of Indian tandoori catering.
What Makes Tandoori Cooking Unique?
A tandoor is a traditional clay oven that reaches extremely high temperatures and is fueled by charcoal or live fire. The result is food that’s smoky, juicy, and deeply flavorful in a way conventional ovens or grills can’t match.
Hemant Phul of Masala Times, one of NYC's best indian caterers explains, “A tandoori oven is unique because it delivers very high, even heat without the food touching an open flame. It’s the original clay oven, used for centuries, and it gives dishes that signature char and smoky depth you just can’t get from regular grills or ovens.”
Rohan Kumar, Operations Manager at Tandoori Life Catering--a top San Francisco indian caterer, “A clay tandoor heated with charcoal and live fire creates a smoky flavor you just can’t replicate. The extreme heat cooks food quickly, sealing in juiciness while giving it that signature char and aroma.”
For corporate catering, this means bold flavors, high-quality presentation, and food that feels special without being unfamiliar.
Tandoori Roti vs. Naan: Which Should You Order?
Bread is often the unsung hero of Indian catering. The two most common tandoor-baked breads are roti and naan. For reference:
- Roti is whole wheat, lighter, and better suited for health-conscious eaters.
- Naan is made from white flour (sometimes enriched with eggs), giving it a softer, chewier bite.
As Phul puts it:
“Roti is made with whole wheat, while naan uses white flour and sometimes eggs, which makes it softer and chewier. If you are health-conscious, roti is the better choice. That said, nothing beats a fresh naan straight from the tandoor.”
For catering, naan is often more popular, but roti is a great add-on for balance. If any of your team members have diabetes, they'll be grateful for the whole wheat roti option.
The Magic of Tandoori Spice Mixes
The signature flavor of tandoori dishes comes from marinades that combine spices, yogurt, and aromatics. While recipes vary, the most common ingredients include:
- Cumin
- Coriander powder
- Turmeric
- Kashmiri red chili powder
- Garam masala
- Paprika
- Fenugreek leaves
- Amchur (dried mango) powder
“With tandoori, the magic is in the ratios and how the spices are treated. It’s not just what you use, but how you blend and balance them because every ‘house tandoori spice mix’ will taste different," says Kumar.
Fresh ginger, garlic paste, yogurt, lemon juice, and mustard oil often complete the marinade, infusing food with depth and tenderness.
What to Know When Ordering Tandoori for 50–100 People
Tandoori items are dry (not saucy), which makes them excellent starters or sides for buffet-style events. However, holding time matters and differs depends on protein.
- Paneer (Indian cheese) can lose softness after 45–60 minutes.
- Chicken tends to dry out after 1.5–2 hours.
- Shrimp holds up the longest and maintains flavor well.
CaterCow's ordering experts recommend pairing tandoori appetizers with saucier main dishes for balance like Butter Chicken or Tikka Masala, and time service so your guests enjoy the food at its best.
Vegetarian & Vegan Tandoori Options
Tandoori isn’t just about chicken and lamb. There are plenty of plant-based catering options that shine in the clay oven. This is especially important to satiate your team's diverse dietary needs--whether vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free.
India is a veg-forward country and so it is no surprise that their cuisine accomodates the diverse American palatte. Some no regret vegetarian tandoori options include:
- Paneer tikka (though best eaten fresh)
- Cauliflower (gobi)
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Vegetable seekh kebabs
- Corn cobs
- Soya kabobs (plant-based protein)
- Potatoes with tandoori seasoning
Kumar notes:
“Veggie kabobs with mushrooms, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions… potatoes, soya kabobs, corn cobs—they all work beautifully in the tandoor.”
These dishes not only cater to vegetarians and vegans but also provide variety and color for a visually appealing spread.
Why Choose Tandoori for Corporate Catering?
When you want Indian food catering that feels festive yet professional, tandoori dishes are a safe and exciting choice. They scale well, offer both meat and vegetarian options, and bring that unmistakable smoky aroma to the room.
For best results:
- Mix tandoori starters with saucy curries to balance dryness.
- Include both naan and roti for variety.
- Order shrimp if service may be delayed.
- Ask your caterer how long dishes can hold without losing quality.
Final Takeaway
Tandoori is more than a cooking method—it’s an experience. From the charcoal-fired clay ovens to the spice-rich marinades, it delivers flavor and presentation that consistently impress. For corporate events of 50–100 people, tandoori appetizers and breads make excellent complements to classic curries and rice dishes.
If you’re planning your next office lunch, remember the words of Rohan Kumar:
“Tandoori is like the Indian version of BBQ, it’s traditional yet still feels fresh and exciting every time it’s served.”
Don't forget--CaterCow serves up hot & tasty tandoori catering across the USA from 100% vetted restaurants. Check out our Indian buffets or individually-packaged Indian dishes:
