Event Catering Guide: 5 Important Things to Consider

We all have attended events at least once during the course of our lives. They are vital gatherings in any group of people from birthday parties to formal charity events. One thing that remains a common ground between all of them is; the food.

It is not only about the food, but also the break that it provides for the attendees to catch their breath and resume their essential tasks that the event demands, And, so it is crucial that just like we put in so much of our organizational efforts into the event itself, we should also do likewise for food, and the central part of that is catering.

5 Things to Consider Before Catering the Event

Catering is not just about the quality of your meal; it’s a whole event experience itself. The following are some of the things to consider when it comes to catering to avoid any pitfalls, so you can create a meal order that would leave your guests delighted.

1. Event Scale

For a successful event, all catered meals must fit the scale of the event. If it’s a small, private event with few attendees, then it is most appropriate to pick a few food options and create a separate area that allows people to serve themselves. However, if your event has a lot of people, then self-service would not be your best option as it would lead to traffic jams around the table. In such cases, to avoid people getting in each other’s way, you can consider having a packed platter system and hand them out to guests. Following are some of the catering styles you can go for:

1.       Buffet Tables

2.       Food Stations

3.       A multi-course plater dinner

4.       Action stations where food is prepared in front of the audiences.

5.       Food truck catering

Ease of serving food is not the only thing to consider. There is also an issue of leftovers that can be a significant waste of resources. Hence, keep the scale of the event in your mind before deciding which catering is appropriate. As you might have limited connections in the catering industry, you can also seek help from experts of Event Companies near you to help you organize a seamless event.

2. Theme

Your catering should complement the theme of your event. Events like weddings or corporate events have some traditional choices when it comes to food. You can choose whatever you want outside those conventional choices, but you have to make your choice by keeping your attendees anticipation and expectation in mind.

Your food choices can impact other people’s expectations. Just think; how would your corporate event attendees feel when you serve them with casual food like chicken nuggets or French fries? Consider this simple rule; “it is best to go with fancier food options for formal events and pick casual food for casual events like birthday parties.”

3. Understand your Event Demographics

Before choosing the kind of catering, know your audiences who you have to feed. Know where they are coming from; for example, if there is a concert and performers just got off the plane, then they would need lunch over their meeting. Their needs are a priority when it comes to catering.

Many people have food allergies, which cause a wide range of problems from slight discomfort to difficulty in breathing, which would require immediate medical attention. Therefore, you need to know about any food allergies that your guests might have. You can prevent that by clearly labeling food or listing ingredients. You also have to consider the popular vegetarianism trend among the people for catering options.

4. Plan your Budget

Before you make all the decisions regarding different food vendors, you need to have a clear understanding of your budget. Plan your catering budget by first establishing per head budget. When you have a planned per head budget, you will have a good idea about the quantity and quality of food and drinks you expect for a single person at the event. There are two types of catering you can choose from:

• On-site Catering:

Catering where the food is prepared on-site in the kitchen.

• Off-site Catering:

 Catering where food is prepared at some other locations and later delivered to the event.

When you a clear understanding of per head budget, you can opt for different catering options that provide top quality at lower prices. When you are planning the budget, make sure to calculate food prices inclusive of tax, so there are no-cost overruns later.

5. Venue

The location of your event will have a significant impact on your catering. Depending on the event, it is vital to be in a space where there is easy access to a kitchen or kitchen appliances like refrigerators, industrial ovens, etc. A right venue with kitchen access will help you to store and organize food before serving your attendees.

Ask yourself if you need multiple deliveries, do you have enough space to set up different stations to organize dishes? Best events incorporate catering as part of the main event instead of keeping it behind from the rest of the event. To create a full experience, take some time, and plan about your meals and logistics.

If you choose an event destination that is not easily accessible, then you will have logistics problems with catering. Consider consulting professionals of event companies in Dubai who can help you with any challenges, and with their experience in the event planning, they will ensure everything goes smoothly.

Make the Most of Your Event!

With a perfect blend of food and the event, you can create a memorable experience for your audiences. An ideal catering can bring your event to life with mouth-watering, delicious meals, and colorful, sophisticated cocktails.

So prepare well before the event and take into consideration all the aspects before making catering decisions. And don’t forget to consider professional help in case you feel overwhelmed with all the choices.

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