If you are planning to cater an event, there are some things to consider. Whether you are considering a buffet or table service, ask about dietary requirements, stay organized, and coordinate with the event’s layout.
Buffet vs table service
When catering for corporate events, there are two options to choose from: buffet style or table service. The choice is dependent on several factors, such as the size of the event and the number of guests. You can also consider the food, theme and price range of the meal.
Buffets are more informal and allow guests to mingle. In addition, guests can choose to skip the appetizers and entrees. This allows for a larger variety of foods, which makes it easier to satisfy everyone’s appetite.
Table service, on the other hand, creates a more formal atmosphere. Guests must remain seated throughout the entire meal. During the reception, speeches are often held. For corporate events with speeches, this type of service is preferred.
Buffets are popular with large groups of people because they are easy on the budget and provide a wide variety of food options. But this style of service can be chaotic. Depending on the size of the room, the lines can be long and there can be too much food.
Choosing between a buffet and a plated meal can be difficult, but it’s important to understand that a buffet isn’t right for all types of events. Buffets are best for casual parties and fundraisers. However, if your event is more formal, it’s usually a good idea to go with a plated meal.
If you’re not sure whether you want to serve a buffet or a plated meal, a catering professional can help you decide. They will give you a cost estimate and answer any questions you have.
Both styles of meals are ideal for corporate events. Buffets give guests the opportunity to sample a little of everything. Guests can then take what they want, and can go for seconds if they’re not satisfied.
Whether you choose a buffet or a plated meal, it’s important to keep your guests happy. Presentation is an important factor in guest satisfaction, and a caterer can help you style the food for a visually appealing display.
Regardless of the style of meal you choose, you will need to prepare for the food’s temperature. A buffet does not have a fixed temperature, so you will need to provide an adequate plan for keeping the food at the desired temperature.
Ask about dietary requirements
One of the most important considerations when it comes to catering for corporate events is asking about the dietary requirements of your guests. Guests may have allergies, intolerances, or religious beliefs that are not conducive to eating certain foods. If you do not plan to accommodate those needs, your attendees could be in for an unpleasant surprise.
There are a number of ways to make this process easier on your guests. For instance, you can provide them with a questionnaire ahead of time or include a dietary requirement box on their RSVP cards. It can also be a good idea to give them a separate menu for special diets. This will help them to avoid stress and ensure that they get a good meal.
You should also check with your caterer to see what type of menus they can offer your guests. Some caterers will make arrangements without charging extra for dietary requests. But you should be aware that there are some companies that charge extremely high fees for requests.
While there are a lot of reasons to ask about dietary requirements, there are a few that are worthy of consideration. For instance, food intolerances have become increasingly common in recent years. Foods that cause allergic reactions such as eggs, shellfish, and nuts are common. Depending on the severity of the allergy, some people have severe reactions that can even be life threatening.
The same goes for cultural and religious beliefs. Those with these types of restrictions are usually hyper-vigilant about what they eat. They might be allergic to gluten, lactose, or salicylate. In some cases, these are only minor issues, but if not handled correctly, they can be life-threatening.
Having a comprehensive list of dietary requirements in advance can be a great way to avoid stress and ensure that everyone has a pleasant meal. However, there is more to the dietary challenge than simply knowing which foods to serve. Many venues offer separate menus for meals that are suitable for people with different diets.
In the end, it is all about communication. It is important to communicate your intentions as early as possible so that your guests can feel welcome. By taking the time to ask about dietary requirements, you can demonstrate that you are an enlightened host.
Stay organized
When planning corporate events, it is a good idea to start early. Starting early allows you to plan the event six months to a year in advance. Getting a head start can help you avoid any last-minute surprises. It also gives you more time to consider details such as menu items and waitstaff uniforms. You can comfortably peruse through a stockists of a wide range of pizza ovens, for example, if the event menu includes pizza without having to cram.
One of the best ways to stay organized when catering for corporate events is to have a checklist. Start by organizing the list by type of event, date, and template folders. Then, make sure that the contact list includes names, phone numbers, and email addresses. A binder can help you organize your list, too. Make sure that you have a highlighter, pens, and a hole puncher. You can also use chalkboard paint to write your to-do list, and to prevent losing it.
