Plan ahead. Start planning your catering needs well in advance, so that you have plenty of time to research caterers and compare quotes.
Be clear about your budget. Let the caterer know your budget so that they can suggest options that fit your needs.
Consider the event’s purpose. What is the purpose of the event? Is it a business lunch, a product launch, or a holiday party? The caterer will need to know this in order to create a menu that is appropriate for the occasion.
Think about your guests. What kind of food do they like? Are there any dietary restrictions that need to be accommodated? The caterer should be able to create a menu that appeals to everyone.
Taste the food before you commit. This is especially important if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Get everything in writing. This includes the menu, the price, the number of guests, and the delivery time.
Be flexible. Things don’t always go according to plan, so be prepared to be flexible with the caterer.
Thank the caterer. A handwritten thank-you note is always appreciated.
Don’ts:
Wait until the last minute to book a caterer. This will limit your options and could lead to higher prices.
Be afraid to ask questions. If you have any questions about the catering process, don’t be afraid to ask the caterer.
Assume that the caterer knows what you want. Be specific about your needs and expectations.
Change the menu at the last minute. This can be costly for the caterer and could lead to food shortages.
Not tip the caterers. Tipping is a way of showing your appreciation for their hard work.
Not follow up after the event. Send a thank-you note to the caterer and let them know how the event went.
By following these dos and don’ts, you can ensure that your corporate catering experience is a success.
Here are some additional tips for corporate catering:
Choose a caterer that has experience catering to corporate events.
Get quotes from multiple caterers before making a decision.
Read reviews of caterers online.
Ask for references from the caterer.
Make sure the caterer is licensed and insured.
Inspect the caterer’s food preparation area before the event.
Be clear about your expectations with the caterer.
Follow up with the caterer after the event to let them know how it went.
By following these tips, you can be sure to find a caterer that will provide you with a great experience for your corporate event.
Start by asking your guests about their allergies. This can be done on your wedding website, in your invitations, or in a separate email or letter. Be sure to give your guests plenty of time to respond, so they can let you know of any allergies well in advance of the wedding.
Work with your caterer to create a safe menu. This may mean offering a variety of dishes that are free of common allergens, such as peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, gluten, and shellfish. It is also important to make sure that the food is prepared in a safe way, so that there is no risk of cross-contamination.
Label all of the food. This will help guests to easily identify which dishes are safe for them to eat. You can use clear labels or signage to indicate the allergens in each dish.
Have a backup plan. In case of an allergic reaction, it is important to have a backup plan in place.
Communicate with your guests. Let your guests know that you are aware of their allergies and that you are taking steps to make sure that they have a safe and enjoyable meal. You can do this by sending out a reminder email or letter, or by speaking to them directly.
Here are some additional tips:
Be prepared to make some changes to your menu. If there are a lot of guests with allergies, you may need to make some changes to your menu to accommodate them. This could mean offering more dishes that are free of common allergens, or it could mean providing a separate menu for guests with allergies.
Be flexible. Things don’t always go according to plan, so be prepared to be flexible. If there is an unexpected allergy issue, be prepared to make changes to the food or to provide alternative accommodations for your guests.
Don’t forget about the staff. Make sure that your caterers and other staff members are aware of the food allergies and that they are taking steps to prevent cross-contamination.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your guests with food allergies have a safe and enjoyable meal at your wedding.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN): https://www.foodallergy.org/
The National Restaurant Association: https://www.restaurant.org/
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: https://www.aaaai.org/
Your wedding day is a momentous occasion filled with joy, love, and celebration. As a professional wedding caterer, it’s essential to stay calm amidst the hustle and bustle of the big day. Keeping your composure ensures that you can provide exceptional service and create a memorable dining experience for the happy couple and their guests. Here are some tips to help you maintain your calm on the wedding day:
Prepare and Plan Ahead:
Thorough preparation is key to staying calm on the wedding day. Make sure you have a detailed plan that includes timelines, menus, and all necessary logistics. Double-check the arrangements and ensure that you have all the resources and equipment required for a smooth operation.
Communication is Key:
Establish clear communication channels with the couple, wedding planner, and other vendors involved in the event. Regularly check in with them to address any concerns, changes, or last-minute adjustments. Effective communication helps you stay organised and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Create a Supportive Team:
Build a reliable and capable team of staff members to assist you on the wedding day. Delegate tasks, provide clear instructions, and empower your team members to handle various responsibilities. Having a competent and supportive team by your side allows you to focus on your specific duties and reduces stress.
Practice Time Management:
Time management is crucial on the wedding day to ensure a smooth flow of events. Stick to the predetermined schedule, and allocate sufficient time for food preparation, set-up, and service. Avoid rushing tasks by giving yourself ample time for each step, which helps maintain a calm and composed demeanour.
Embrace Flexibility:
Weddings can be unpredictable, and last-minute changes or unexpected situations may arise. Be prepared to adapt and remain flexible to accommodate any unforeseen circumstances. Having a flexible mindset helps you handle challenges smoothly and maintain your composure throughout the event.
Take Breaks and Stay Hydrated:
Remember to take short breaks to rest and recharge. Hydrate yourself regularly to stay energised and focused. Dehydration and exhaustion can hinder your ability to stay calm and provide excellent service. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is essential for maintaining a composed and professional demeanour.
Focus on Problem-Solving:
Instead of dwelling on problems or setbacks, focus on finding solutions. Approach challenges with a positive mindset, seeking alternatives or workarounds to overcome obstacles. By proactively addressing issues, you can prevent them from escalating and maintain a calm and composed atmosphere.
Practice Mindfulness and Deep Breathing:
In moments of stress or tension, take a few deep breaths and practice mindfulness. Center yourself in the present moment and let go of any negative thoughts or distractions. Deep breathing techniques can help calm your nervous system, reduce stress, and restore focus.
Remember the Purpose:
Always keep in mind the significance of the day—the celebration of love and the union of two individuals. Remind yourself of the joy and happiness that surrounds weddings. This perspective shift can help you maintain a positive and calm demeanour throughout the event.
Enjoy the Experience:
Embrace the excitement and joy of being a part of such a special occasion. Take pride in your role as a professional wedding caterer and appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the couple’s memorable day. By enjoying the experience, you can exude positivity and maintain a calm and composed presence.
Remember, staying calm and collected on the wedding day is essential not only for your own well-being but also for delivering exceptional service to the couple and their guests. With thorough preparation, effective communication, and a positive mindset, you can navigate any challenges with grace and create a truly memorable dining experience on this joyous occasion.
The benefits of doing business over lunch have been touted over the years. It’s been proven again and again that the presence of food can have a positive effect on your business deals.Phone and Skype aren’t personal enough to close this deal. It needs to be face to face. Don’t go to their office. Don’t even meet for coffee or a drink. You need to invite them for lunch. Here’s why, and how:
You’ll Control the Environment
Their office is their turf: their colleagues may interrupt you, or they may be distracted by calls or emails. Even if they agree to come to your office, you don’t want any distractions there either. Besides, being in your territory may prompt them to put up their guard. You want them at ease. You want the environment to work for you. You can control the entire atmosphere at lunch. You want a neutral atmosphere. Be sure to find out of they have any dietary restrictions on preferences and choose accordingly.
You’ll Be on Equal Footing
Having someone come and sit to talk to you opposite your large desk sends a very clear message about who is in charge. While this is ideal in many situations, there are certain situations where going the extra mile to show a potential partner that you value them as an equal will yield better results. You can achieve a similar but more subtle effect at a business lunch by ensuring that you are the main focal point from their point of view.
Remove Timeframe
In a typical meeting, the agenda controls the time frame and the conversation can become dry. Most people schedule at least 60-90 minutes for business lunches, giving you more time to make your point in a more relaxed environment.People like to do business with people they like, and this is your time to make a good impression.
The Bill
The moment we all love after a nice meal….the bill. Paying for the meal will put you in a power move position. You can decide whether or not to tell your prospect up front that this experience is on you, or wait until the end as a surprise. Either way, you’ll put them in a position of gratitude at the end, leaving you open to pursue the next steps.
Event planning involves making many decisions – choosing the right venue is likely to be the first on the list. Finding the perfect venue for your event is crucial and will inevitably impact on every other aspect – from the date and time, to production and, of course, catering.
As a family run business with over 35 years of experience in the industry, we have grown as a company through repeat custom and recommendations into the successful business we are today. We have catered for many different occasions including events for music stars, sport stars and many others. We make any kind of event extra special and with our professional staff and the extensive knowledge of the industry, we are confident that you won’t be disappointed.
With our 35 years experience and the knowledge we have within the industry we have put together some guidelines about what factors to consider and which questions you should be asking…
Objectives
Whilst it is advisable to start your search as soon as possible, before considering any practical elements, make sure you are clear about the event objectives. What is the purpose of the event? What do you want guests to be thinking/feeling/saying as they walk out of the venue at the end of the event? What is the long-term outcome you wish to accomplish?
Once you are clear about ‘what’ you want to achieve, you should consider ‘how’ you can make it happen.
Size
Knowing the budget will help you get an idea of how many people you’ll be able to invite, which will help narrow down your wedding venue search significantly. Avoid falling in love with venues that are too small or too big, which you can only know once you’ve assembled a preliminary guest list based on your preliminary budget!
It is essential that the venue is the right size – if it is too small, you risk the event becoming overcrowded and uncomfortable, too big and your guests may feel swamped by too much space.
Location
Choosing “where” can be the most difficult decision for many couples, especially if they’ve got very different ideas. Does the venue need to be within walking distance from a particular place? Somewhere with good transport links is ideal, however outside space and parking facilities may also be desirable.
If it’s really important to have as many of your loved ones there as possible you might want to think about going local. Lots of young couples worry that they won’t be able to find a venue in their price bracket in the city, but there are always options especially if you can book far enough in advance.
Style
The look and feel of the venue will affect the overall perception of the event, and by extension the host. What message do you want to send to guests? Historic, modern, quirky or traditional?
Would it enhance the guest experience to opt for a venue which can offer event content such as an exhibition or interactive experience?
Our mouth-watering menus are freshly prepared on the
premises and we offer a bespoke service to cater for any
individual requirements; making sure all your favourites
are on the menu, no matter the scale of the event, the
number of guests or the dining preferences.
National & Regional Caterer Of The Year
