When Tech Meets Tradition: A Diwali Feast for 400 in Amsterdam
When an international tech company meets traditional Diwali festivities, magic happens.
On October 20, 2025, Holi Indian Restaurant had the honor of providing corporate catering in Amsterdam for a Diwali celebration of 400 ClickHouse employees from around the world, hosted at the Tulip Zaandam event venue. As specialists in large-scale Indian catering services, we embraced the challenge to make this festival of lights truly special for everyone.
In this blog, we share our experience planning and executing this 400-person Diwali feast – and how it showcased our expertise in large event catering.
Planning a Large-Scale Diwali Celebration
Preparing to serve hundreds of guests requires meticulous planning. Weeks before the event, our catering team collaborated with ClickHouse’s organizers to design a menu and service plan that would delight a diverse, international crowd.
We balanced authentic Indian flavors with universal appeal, ensuring vegetarian and non-vegetarian options to satisfy all palates. Every detail was considered – from sourcing fresh spices and ingredients to arranging extra chafing dishes and serving ware for the expansive buffet.
We even coordinated with the Tulip Zaandam venue staff on the ideal layout for food stations and a smooth guest flow. Our goal was clear: combine Holi’s culinary excellence with efficient logistics to deliver a seamless Diwali catering Amsterdam experience.
Behind-the-Scenes / Kitchen Prep
The day before the event, our chefs began prep work – marinating meats, grinding spices, and prepping vegetables. On the big day, our team arrived at dawn to start cooking.
The kitchen was abuzz by sunrise – chopping, simmering, frying appetizers, and perfecting every curry. By 10 AM, we had a convoy ready to transport the food, equipment, and décor to Tulip Zaandam.
We also brought festive touches like warmers decorated with marigold motifs and brass serving bowls to give the buffet an inviting, traditional look.
A Menu that Showcased the Flavors of India
For this Diwali celebration, we curated a rich menu that offered a true taste of India. Both vegetarians and meat-lovers had plenty to enjoy. From crisp starters to hearty mains and sweet desserts, every dish was crafted to evoke the comfort of a home-cooked Diwali meal.
Here’s what we served:
Starters:
- Vegetable Samosas – golden flaky pastries with spiced potato filling
- Mixed Vegetable Pakoras – crispy gram flour fritters
- Chicken Tikka Skewers – tender yogurt-marinated chicken grilled to perfection Served with tamarind and mint-coriander chutneys
Served with tamarind and mint-coriander chutneys
Main Courses (Veg):
- Paneer Butter Masala – creamy tomato gravy with cottage cheese cubes
Main Courses (Non-Veg):
- Chicken Curry (medium-spicy, with a mild version on request)
- Lamb Rogan Josh – slow-cooked lamb in rich aromatic gravy
Sides:
- Basmati Jeera Rice
- Butter & Garlic Naan
- Cucumber Raita and Green Salad
Dessert:
Gulab Jamun – soft milk dumplings in cardamom syrup
Guests were welcomed with the aroma of sizzling appetizers. Our chefs hand-made over 800 samosas and 600 pakoras, ensuring every guest got a hot, crispy starter. The buffet featured multiple stations so that 400 people could comfortably serve themselves without long waits.
Each dish was labeled in English with spice indicators to help international attendees navigate the menu. The variety – from rich paneer curries to aromatic lamb dishes – offered a full Indian festive experience.
Execution: From Kitchen to Buffet at Tulip Zaandam
By late afternoon on October 20th, our team was on-site setting up chafing dishes and décor.
Buffet tables were arranged in a U-shape, adorned with diya lamps and colorful linens to infuse the Diwali spirit. At 6 PM, as the ClickHouse guests arrived, we fired up the warming trays and completed the finishing touches.
Service went off like clockwork. Our staff, dressed in Holi-branded aprons, manned each station to assist guests and keep the dishes replenished.
A few guests who were newer to Indian cuisine found the chicken curry a little spicy, so our head chef quickly improvised a mild version on-site – showcasing our flexibility and care.
The ballroom filled with the aromas of cumin, cardamom, and cloves. Guests went back for seconds (and thirds!). Samosas and lamb curry were clear favorites, and naan baskets were refilled nonstop.
Despite the scale, every dish retained Holi’s signature taste and presentation. The Paneer Butter Masala was finished with cream swirls; the lamb curry was topped with coriander and ginger.
We also added a live chaat corner, where guests could customize their own bhel puri – an interactive highlight of the evening.
Delight and Compliments from ClickHouse
The feedback was overwhelming. Many Indian-origin guests said the food “tasted like home”, while international colleagues loved the explosion of flavors. One attendee remarked that the buffet “felt like a family dinner” – laughter, chai, and second helpings all around.
The event organizer, Jane D. from ClickHouse, shared:
“Holi Restaurant made our Diwali away from home so special – the food was incredible and the service impeccable. Our international guests were amazed by how flavorful yet balanced everything was.”
By the end of the night, the buffet tables were nearly empty – the ultimate sign of success! Guests applauded our chefs, and several personally thanked our staff. For us, this Diwali was more than an event; it was a chance to bring warmth and togetherness through food.
Bringing Authentic Indian Cuisine to Amsterdam’s Corporate Events
This event demonstrated Holi’s capability to handle large-scale international corporate events in Amsterdam. Feeding 400 guests required precision, passion, and teamwork – and we delivered on every front.
If we could delight 400 guests at once, imagine what we could do for your next event!
Holi Indian Restaurant proudly offers corporate catering in Amsterdam for businesses, weddings, festivals, and private gatherings.
We handle everything – menu design, logistics, service, and presentation – so you can focus on enjoying the event.
Planning an Event? Let’s Make It Unforgettable
Are you organizing a corporate party, wedding, or festive gathering? Let Holi Indian Restaurant bring the vibrant flavors of India to your event.
We offer:
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- Custom menus for 20–500 guests
- Full-service staff and on-site cooking
- Vegan, vegetarian, halal, and gluten-free options
- Professional, punctual service every time
At Holi, we don’t just serve food — we create experiences. From a 400-guest corporate Diwali celebration to your next team lunch or family event, we’re here to make it unforgettable.