Corporate Event Catering Guide
The Essentials of Successful Corporate Event Catering
A daytime catered business lunch
Why is there a need for business event catering so popular in San Diego? It is a time saver, because everyone has to eat, and by conducting business during mealtimes two birds are killed with one stone. However it is a major undertaking to ensure that event catering goes smoothly. These are a few tips that I have learned over the years on booking and providing top level service in a business catering environment. It also may be a requirement, in order to get in front of clients that you’ll have to provide a meal. The true goal of this short term investment in your customer is to create more loyal business and generate more long term revenue. The reason we conduct business over meals is multifaceted but primary among them is that happy well fed clients are more receptive to doing business. If a client eats an excellent meal and receives impeccable and professional service one is more inclined to listen to the person that provided the meal. The meal is a reflection upon those that provide it. We must remember this important fact. The meal in a corporate setting is a reflection upon those that supply it. If the meal is of subpar quality and/or the service is substandard, that is representative of those that provided the meal.
So we have determined the importance of providing an excellent meal with great service. How does one execute this? You need to determine the type of event that you trying to create. Is this going to be a breakfast, lunch, dinner, or cocktail party? What type of service? Will it be a buffet or plated dinner? If it’s an appetizer party will those appetizer’s be passed or on a stationary buffet? How formal is the event? What type of décor will there be? Are there dietary restrictions or specialized requests of attendees that need to be addressed? Are there Vegans, Vegetarians, Kosher, and Food Allergies such as lactose, gluten, or nut issues? All of these are integral factors in ensuring that your Corporate Event goes smoothly and your clients are happy. It is important to address all of these questions ahead of time so that you are not surprised by them at the event and are forced to scramble on the fly.
When you have satisfactorily determined the answer to all of these questions you then need to select a caterer. The selection of a caterer is of primary importance. The caterer needs to provide all of the components to fulfill your needs for the event and your client’s needs. You need a caterer that will provide exactly what they state they will provide in their quote. The caterer needs to provide professional, unobtrusive yet friendly service. The food needs to be of high quality and fit within the dietary requirements of the client. The caterer needs to be timely. The caterer needs to work within the budget and bring value commensurate to that budget. The caterer needs to be professionally attired and provide service per your requirements.
So how does one choose a caterer? You can find a caterer through the internet, through a referral, through the yellow pages, or from local advertisements. Regardless of how you locate the caterer there are several ways to vet the caterer to ensure that they will accommodate your requirements. First you can interview the Caterer and ascertain their level of experience, whether they have done the type of event your are looking to create, do they have catering testimonials. LinkedIn is also another online tool that often has posted recommendations on the caterer you are evaluating. if your looking to find someone local and learn more details about the business every business should have a google maps profile to help customers become accustom with their regional services. check for references, have they received any awards or recommendations, have they been reviewed or featured in any publications, what is there food style, and can they meet the needs of any specialized dietary requests or specialized service requests? That is an excellent starting point but if you have the time the best way to evaluate the capabilities of a caterer is to see them in action. Ask the caterer to let you come to another event that is similar to the one that you are creating. This firsthand knowledge is invaluable in the selection process of a caterer. You will be able to see the presentation of the food. You will see the execution of the event. Is the caterer serving the food at the time it was slated? Does the décor look appropriate and aesthetically pleasing? You may also ask the caterer to sample the food at that event. This way you get a first hand tasted of food as executed during an actual event. Tastings presented by the caterer are another great evaluative tool and will be specific to your event however it is easier to execute single dishes at the caterer’s business than it is onsite. You should also ask the caterer for references and contact those individuals for their opinions on the caterer you are considering.
Once you gain an understanding of the caterer you will be working with you will have all of the items in place in order to create a successful corporate catering event. So make it happen! Bring in more business through successful corporate event catering.