There are many companies and small businesses that require the services of an excellent catering provider on a consistent basis. These companies often provide training and development programs to large groups of participants that include time for lunch. The training may last from one to three days and breaks, lunches, and snacks are required from the caterer. Developing a long-term relationship with a catering provider can be difficult. Everyone may have a busy schedule and schedules that are filled with stress from work, and people may burn-out from weeks of training. Sometimes, the provider may not see the point in continuing the relationship if it does not offer the things needed.
Organization
A catering provider may require an office space that is large enough for some full-time employees, and some companies require that all employees attend training even after summer vacation. In either case, the space should be located near the food preparation areas. The space should be spacious enough that employees can easily move materials.
Time Tables
Most caterers require a set number of hours per week on a given day. The number of hours a caterer should work should be clearly outlined in the contract, and clearly visible to employees.
Time off
Some caterers require time off from work to attend events. The worker is usually expected to work flexible hours, meaning they should be available for an hour or more beyond the normal finish time. This is important if there are several events taking place on the same day. Other caterers may need to have a specified time off for clean up, repairs, or other unexpected items.
sick meals
These meals are usually arranged by the catering provider, and the need for warm meals after a meeting or providing leftover meals from a previous event is necessary. The caterer will arrange for the meals to be made as close to the time of the event as possible, up to a week or so ahead of time. In some cases, the host may also have arrangements for Pick Up on the Day of the Event. This is frequently used for caterers that supply breakfast at the event.
What is Included in a Catering Service?
A catering service is typically broken into several parts including:
• Food- The food is the first part of the service. It is essential to have the proper food available at the meeting or meal. Should the need arise, the caterer will supply enough food to last until the next meal is prepared. Meals must be nutritious and containing the proper amount of food with based ingredients. The food should be aesthetically pleasant to eat, and not smell of the kitchen.
• Table and chair- The table and chair are where the food will be served. The area should be clean, and the table top trimmed. The chair should be comfortable, and may not be wobbly or squeaky. The space around the table and chair should be neat and presentable.
• Flowers, table, chair, napkin and dishes- Every hostess will require a variety of flowers for their table and for their catering. These can be a combination of organically grown flowers, food-quality flowers, or cut flowers. Dishes should be ready with a minimum of two to three days’ notice, and accompanied by appropriate serving ware. It is important to know the size and type of measurements of the dishes and other table accessories.
• Decorations and food service- The next thing to consider is the decorations for the table and the walls of the room. These will be tied to the event, and in addition, the food should be presented in a tasteful, yet elegant, manner. The choice of colors and design for the table and for the fabric of the table cloth and the napkins should be carefully considered. One thing to keep in mind is that the longer the catering event, the more creative the arrangements can be.
A caterer will have to provide their own drinks if you require them to be served. You may not require them to serve, but recommend they help with it if they are asked to do so.
What happens if more guests come than expected?
A unexpected guest or two could mean a mess, confusion, and probably a lot of cleanup. Things can get tricky when you are not able to prepare anticipated additions like fruit and vegetables. The caterer will have to assume this role, and will need to be able to prepare a menu that will be suitable for the event.
How are meals picked?
Cooking a turkey or other large poultry dish is a simple task, but not necessarily the easiest. For large gatherings, and in most cultures, the whole family needs to be involved in preparing and cooking the meals. This means you will need to keep many more people looking over the food and ensuring it is properly prepared. Pick the cook or chef to ensure that everyone is happy.
About The Author
Helena Eater
How much does the quality of food really matter? If you eat food that tastes good, your life will be better. If you eat food that tastes bad, your life will be worse. The difference between good and evil is partly subjective: what tastes good to me might taste bad to you. The difference is also partly objective: what restaurants I think serve good food might serve lousy food to you. But if we stick to objective measures — measures such as how much weight people gain or lose — we can cut through some of the subjectivity.
