Catering Tips

I was browsing for a few tips online to share with you the other day for the office blog. Take a look at what I found!

http://www.eventcateringideas.com/selfcatering.php

8 Self Catering Tips

Planning any event takes a lot of work especially if you are self catering the event. Shopping, cooking, decorating and general organization can be a full-time job. Depending on the size, you might need to rent cooking equipment, tables, chairs and even a tent. If there will be entertainment you might find yourself scouting out disc jockeys or a band.

Although it's a lot of work, catering an event can be very rewarding and doing it yourself can save a lot of money. Here are eight self catering tips that you can use to make the job easier.

1. Organization. You want some sort of a system that allows you to easily access everything you need for the event. This includes lists and notes which might be organized in a spreadsheet on the computer as well as the supplies that you will need for the event which should be kept together in the same area.

2. Make Lists. When you are self catering any event, lists are your friend, you want lists of contact information for all the people helping with the party as well as lists of the invited guests. How about a list of all the equipment you need to rent? Of course a list of all the food you have to buy is a necessity as well as the supplies like tablecloths, napkins and dinnerware. Don't forget to make a to-do list so you can check off when you've accomplished all the other things on the other lists.

3. Make a menu. You want to figure out everything you are going to serve from appetizers to desserts and don't forget to include drinks. Then you need to figure out all the ingredients that you need to make the items that you won't be buying pre made. When making a menu, take into consideration any food allergies or food preferences that you know the guests might have.

4. Shop around. Once you've made your lists and you know what you need to buy, you can save yourself some money by shopping around. Go to your local Sam's Club or bargain club and compare prices. Don't be afraid to look online where you might be able to save money especially for things like decorations, napkins, imitations and dinnerware.

5. Schedule it out. Once you know what you want to serve, you will need to come up with a timeline so that the foods are ready at the appropriate time. If you going to be setting up and decorating as well include this in the timeline. A lot of the things can be made in advance and then kept frozen up until the day of the event. Some other things you might be able to make a day or two ahead of time. Even if you have help self catering the event, you want to include some wiggle room in your schedule just in case something goes wrong.

6. Guest count. You want to be sure you have enough food but having too much would be wasteful. Be sure you get a good guest count so you know how much to make.

7. Throw it out. You can make things a lot easier on yourself if you use disposable dinnerware. It might not look as nice in your event but you won't have to deal with washing dishes and this will be a huge timesaver.

8. Enjoy! Just because you are self catering the event doesn't mean you can't enjoy it. If you are well-organized and plan for things you can participate in the event as well as host it!
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http://www.hobbyfarms.com/farm-marketing-and-management/10-catering-tips.aspx

10 Catering Tips

If starting a home catering business is your dream, consider these tips from a professional caterer.

Photo Courtesy Kate Savage Kate Savage, a Lexington, Ky., professional caterer and writer, has learned to persist even in difficult circumstances.

By Kate Savage

If starting a home catering business from your hobby farm is your dream, consider these 10 tips from a professional caterer.

1. Be realistic.

• Catering is not glamourous!
• It’s hard work and long hours.
• When others play, you work.

Try these truths on for size before you invest any money, time or effort into an extension of your endeavours. Only the strong survive!

2. Cool as a cucumber.Above all you must be able to handle stress and never appear flustered.

• And that’s not just your stress, but also the “freak-out” levels of stress your client might be experiencing.

Realise what’s at stake for them. Trust and powerlessness can be scary emotions for anyone.

3. Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines.Time is unforgiving in the catering business. Five or ten minutes leeway is acceptable when serving, but half an hour late is not, unless the client has pushed back the clock. Are you reasonably punctual? Examine your ability to deliver in a timely manner.

4. Find your own niche.Remember there are many categories of catering; from barbeque and beans to pheasant under glass.

• Establish your own area of excellence and interest. Something you enjoy, something that makes your product different.

If successful, you’ll be making lots of it!

5. Listen to your client.Naturally your thoughts and suggestions are what they are looking for, but most clients have some preconceived ideas regards their event. Prize these out. They’ll provide you with guidance and insights. It’s the client you’re trying to please.

6. Never apologise for your price.Your product will always cost more than the frozen semi-equivalent bought from the warehouse megamarket.

• Don’t be brow-beaten or back off your price with a client that wants to negotiate a “discount”, or promises you all their friends’ events. Nobody wins.

7. Start early.Catering is like Christmas. If you leave it until the last minute, you’ll wish you’d started sooner. Many things can be organized in advance such as rentals and the work force.

• Over time, you’ll become familiar with the natural sequence. Until then, make lots of lists.

8. Friendly and flexible.

• Ten minutes before serving you’re told to hold dinner – the guest of honour’s flight is late.

Can you slap on a smile and reassure the hostess that you can ratchet down and maintain the meal indefinitely in a holding pattern? Do it anyway!

9. Remember your place.Probably an old fashioned idea, but it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of an event.

• A good rule of thumb for you and especially any extrovert servers you might employ is “if you’re having too much fun, then you’re not working.”

10. Belle of the Ball

• Clients love to know they have thrown a social smash. Share some of the comments and compliments that came your way.

Part of the point is to glow in the glorious aftermath of the event – and that goes for you too!

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