There are many types of business ventures, but one of the most profitable, is the food and beverages business. When you think about starting a new business, a catering service is always a good idea. Not only for the reasons we are about to mentioned, but also because it has many opportunities.
Many people, when they are thinking about organizing an event, are more than likely going to prefer to hire a catering service company. This is even more common when the event is a wedding or even a corporate/business event. You want to provide your guest of the best food and drinks possible. That is why it is always a good idea to have food catering.
Sometimes people even hire a catering service company when they need to organize a party or anniversary. Catering services offer different options when it comes to food, so you can have specific food that goes along with your party or event.
From hamburgers, pizza or sandwiches to more elaborated food like meat, pork or sea food, there’s something for everyone. But what is a catering service? What services do they provide? Let us explain to you all you will need to know about catering food and its advantages.
What is a catering service?
Catering is a service that provides food and drinks to parties, events, and all kinds of presentations. Many party halls, hotels and companies provide this service as well as the rental of their facilities.
During weddings, birthdays, corporate meeting, or gallery openings, the catering service looks to entertain your guests, colleagues or potential clients.
What does catering for food and beverages include?
Catering can include any type of food, drinks, Silverware, tables, chairs, and even the service of wait staff, a cleaning crew for after the event.
Catering, to put it plainly, is a service dedicated to the supply of prepared food. Although most companies these days will supply you with everything you need to organize a successful party or event.
Catering for events
The catering of events refers to the food service provided by a restaurant or company responsible for preparing, presenting, and serving meals at all types of events. These events can range from a simple breakfast to a service with waiters, kitchen staff, and party decorations.
A lot of catering companies have not only started taking care of the food preparation, but also the decoration, the tables, and the lighting. These companies provide you of not only the food, but also, all you need to make your event perfect.
Some of these catering service companies also provide the bartending service. This is important as food isn’t the only thing that has to be perfect, the beverages are an essential part of every party or event. Therefore, that is something important you need to consider when you are thinking about hiring a catering service company.
Different Types of caterers (with average prices)
In the word of Catering services, there are different types of caterers. It might be overwhelming to choose which one is the best option for your event or activity.
Even when there are different types of caterers, there are four that are the most common. Wedding catering one of the most popular as that is one of the most important days of someone’s life, so people provide the best for their guests. Corporate catering, which is perfect for organizing business/work events.
Then there is social catering, mostly used for birthdays and small parties. The fourth is concession catering, which is perfect for major and minor sporting events.
Some prices, Buffet Catering – $25 – $50 per person. Food Truck Catering – $20 – $40 per person. Traditional Catering – $50 – $120 per person. Private Custom Catering – $120 + per person.
Catering services for food and beverages can include the following:
Guest and client considerations
Any specific needs, whether it be dietary or religious restrictions need consideration. This is something that you need to take into account when you are hiring a catering service.
This is even more relevant when some of your guest require eating specific types of food.
These restrictions could7 include such things as: halal, kosher, vegetarian, and vegan, as well as any type of food allergy or intolerance.
The rental services for food and beverages
The rental services can include any of the following: tables, chairs, dance floors, tents, plants, any type of plates or bowls, cutlery, glassware, linens, coasters and placemats, bar glasses, salt and pepper shakers, etc.Most companies do not include the set up and break down in the price of the rental service.
Catering Staff for food and beverages
Every catered event requires a coordinator, a chef, a kitchen staff, sub chefs, waitstaff and a bartender. A larger staff is required for an a la carte dinner rather than a buffet dinner due to the need for waitstaff rather than the serve yourself method. Not to mention for an à la carte dinner you need twice as much tableware, as well as have a minimum of three rounds of food, plus one round of coffee.
Any additional charges or services
Sales tax, lighting services, any liquor permits, fire Marshall’s permits, flowers, valet and cloakroom service.
The types of services offered
The types of services offered depends on the type of event you intend to have. These are a few examples of services offered:
Catering business breakfast
Prices are calculated on a per person count and you can start with choosing continental or American to name a few.
Catering a coffee break
Coffee and tea as well as natural juices. You should also offer some salty and sweet snacks. This type of service usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes
Brunch catering
This is the combination of breakfast and lunch. Brunch lasts from 11 am to 1 pm and usually includes a variety of breakfast and lunch items from omelets and creeps to sandwiches and alcohol.
Catering a Gallery Opening
These events usually include hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and wine. This type of catering is usually reserved for gallery openings and other private functions.
Wine Catering
This type of catering happens in the afternoons or evenings. You can expect wines such as port and sherry, as well as finger foods like sweet sandwiches and complimentary cheese.
Catering a buffet
A buffet usually lasts about 3 hours in the evening and there are many varieties of hot and cold dishes.
Catering a reception or banquet
These types of events are long-term since they last around 6 to 8 hours and calculated per person. For dinner, there is an appetizer, the main course, dessert and coffee service, the toast, the sweets table and the party’s finale.
Presentation of the service
All the food provided by the catering service is laid out and presented in a manner that is pleasing to the eye and engaging for the guests
Here are just a few examples of presentations:
Snacks and Small Plates
These are small portions that are easy to serve and eat, they take many skilled hands to prepare and plate. These kinds of dishes are easy to handle without silverware or with a single small one. Some come on small spoons others by mini skewers, etc.
They are circulated throughout the room by waiters. They mostly reserved for more informal events and cocktails parties.
Boxed lunches for food and beverages
There are boxed lunches in disposable boxes designed specifically for travel and outdoor purposes. Usually containing a sandwich, a bag of chips, fruit, and a dessert. A variety of drinks, such as soft drinks, bottled water, and packaged juices, are generally included.
These are delivered directly to the customer and offered as fast food, which is why it is important to be on time with food and beverages.
Meal serving
This option allows for the same type of service that someone would get at a restaurant. There is a dish for each individual diner at the table. This is important because it makes the whole process much easier.
You can have a single dish served or a complete menu consisting of an appetizer, a soup, the main course and a dessert. This type can range from a small gathering of just a few tables to a large banquet hall.
Buffet style service for food and beverages
This is a meal presented to the diner, where they can help themselves. There is a designated area with several tables where all the food is presented in such a way as the guest can move from one dish to another deciding themselves what they would like.
There are a variety of dishes for the guest from the appetizer and main dishes to the salads and desserts.
Food stations
This is similar to buffet-style, but the food comes in separate small stations or islands. They come by style of food. There are many stations such as the fondue station, the omelet station, the roast beef station, the waffle station, and many more depending on the type of food.
Some other stations can include fruit, seafood, salad, sushi, dessert, etc.
So, catering service is a good idea for an event. One of the reasons is because you will have the best quality when it comes to food. Also, when you are organizing an event like your wedding or an important birthday you just want to enjoy it.
When you hire a catering service, they are going to provide the best food. Also, if you need full service, they can provide the beverages and even the decoration of your event.
That said, we consider that hiring a catering service is the best idea when you have that special event. You want it to be the best experience, not only for you, but also for all your guests. You just need to hire the one that adjust to your needs and your budget. Fortunately, you have plenty of options to choose from.
Questions and answers on food and beverages
The cost of a catering service will depend on many factors. For example, when you want to organize your wedding and you want that your guest enjoys the best food, you need to hire the best. When you want to hire the best, you need to be aware that you will probably need to spend more money.
Also, there are some catering services that can adjust their prices to your needs. Some of these catering services provide affordable options for birthdays, anniversaries and small parties.
The average cost of food catering per guest varies on what type of event you are hosting and what kind of food catering you will require. Typical catered events including food and drink can run from $70 to $85 per person.
We need to consider here that the food that you will provide to your guest will depend on the type of event. If your event is a wedding, you probably want your guests to enjoy a very nice dinner or lunch.
If your event is a casual birthday party, things change, you need something more popular and that everyone would enjoy.
For corporate caterings, the best options are Deli foods, pizza, hamburgers, Mexican food, and rotisserie. For other events like weddings, meat, pork or chicken. However, for other activities (anniversaries, birthdays) the most popular are salads, Italian, Mexican, sandwiches, Mediterranean.
If you are considering having a successful catering service, you can expect that this business model can be extremely profitable. However, as in every business, you need to consider the costs involved in the daily operations.
It is a little complicated to think about a definite figure, about how much it will cost to you. This is because the money you will spend, will depend on how big your catering service will be. Also, how many staff members you will have and where your business is going to be as well as what type of catering you want to provide.
Final thoughts on food and beverages
Food catering continues to be a very reliable consideration for events and this is why we strongly recommend it. You just need to consider doing this with the best service in the business.
Party Shakers offers an excellent catering service option for those who wish to provide quality foods with a friendly and efficient staff!
