Tips For Your First Time Planning Catering For A Corporate Event
If you have been tasked with coordinating the catering for an upcoming event, you may be beginning to realize what a responsibility this really is. You're the one who is going to ensure everyone is well-fed and happy with the dining options throughout the day. So how do you go about doing that? How do you make sure the catering options you choose make your attendees happy? Here are a few tips.
1. Choose a familiar cuisine.
You can find caterers who offer Korean, Vietnamese, Lebanese, and a whole array of other cuisines. While the more adventurous in your crowd may appreciate the variety, others may be turned off by the unfamiliar food. It is better to stick with a cuisine most people are more familiar with, such as Italian, American, or Greek.
2. Include vegan and gluten-free options.
You do not have to accommodate every potential allergen and menu preference when selecting dishes, but you should at least include some sort of vegan and gluten-free options since diets with these restrictions are pretty common. If the restaurant offers a dish that is gluten-free and vegan, you can order that and check both boxes at once.
3. Sample the food.
Unless you are ordering from a restaurant whose food you have had before, it is a good idea to go sample the food before ordering. If the catering service has an associated restaurant, just visit for lunch with a coworker or two and order items you are considering ordering for the event. If the catering company does not have an associated restaurant, call them to set up a tasting session; most are used to offering such sessions and will happily oblige.
4. Order a little more than you need.
Make sure you get an accurate head count of how many will be attending the event. Then, order enough food for about 5% more people than that head count indicates. This ensures that you'll have enough food if a few extra people show up, or if some guests eat more than you would have assumed. It's okay to have some leftovers, but it is never okay to run out of food before everyone has been fed.
Coordinating the catering for a corporate event is a big responsibility. However, if you follow the tips above and hire a catering service known for their delicious food, the event will be a success and you can be proud of your work.
Contact a corporate catering service for more information.