Catering - what is it?

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 14:07

Preparing for a solemn event is always accompanied by fuss. The organizer must provide for the decoration of the premises, and the distribution of invitations, and of course, a banquet. It is with a banquet that most people associate a wedding, anniversary, New Year and the successful conclusion of a major contract.

Traditionally, banquets are held in cafes and restaurants. This makes it possible for the heroes of the occasion to call a large number of guests and not worry about cooking and cleaning. However, this option may not be entirely convenient. In addition, during the summer months, many people prefer outdoor recreation. Is it possible to combine a magnificent celebration and a trip to nature? Now yes, because now almost every city has catering companies.

What is catering

Over the past few years, probably, many have heard this unfamiliar expression. What does it mean? Catering is an English word that can literally be translated into Russian as "delivery of provisions, products".

Thus, catering is a service in which the company is engaged in the preparation and delivery of food, table setting. Thanks to this, to hold a solemn event with a banquetyou can not only in a restaurant, but also in any other place:

• in nature (on the shore of a reservoir or a picturesque clearing);

• in a country house;
• in the recreation area;
• in the company building (very convenient during conferences and presentations).

Every year, the number of people who want to take advantage of this opportunity is growing.

List of catering services

Initially, offsite catering involved preparing and delivering food for offsite banquets, but most large catering companies do not stop there and offer a wider range of services (each company has its own).

Standard set includes:

• cooking meals according to a prearranged menu;
• food delivery at the appointed time and place;
• providing all necessary utensils for the banquet;
• rent tables, chairs, additional furniture required for dining;
• table setting;

• Services of attendants during the meal (waiters, bartenders).

This is quite enough for organizing off-site catering. The peculiarity of the described service is that everything is performed at a professional level. Thus, the prepared dishes, table setting and service will be no worse than in any expensive restaurant.

Moreover, preferring an offsite banquet,the customer has the opportunity to once again emphasize their originality.

Turnkey catering. What is this?

Now many large catering companies offer turnkey offsite banquets. What does this mean? Such catering is a service that includes an extended list, where, in addition to catering, the company offers the following:

• decoration of the banquet venue (fabric, flowers, balloons);
• providing the host of the celebration;
• musical equipment rental;
• departure of beauty service masters (hairdressers, make-up artists, manicurists);
• photo and video shooting.

Thanks to such an integrated approach, customers can completely shift all the worries of organizing a celebration onto the shoulders of professionals.

Catering Benefits

Today, catering restaurants do not feel a lack of customers, and the reasons for this state of affairs are obvious. Offsite banquets offer a range of benefits.

1. The first and most important difference from holding a holiday in a cafe is the ability to organize a magnificent celebration absolutely anywhere.

2. The quality of service is always top notch. The hero of the occasion will never have to blush for the poor performance of the staff or tasteless food. The chef works in strict accordance with the standards and the approved menu, the waiters are well-trained, the serving is perfect.

   

3. A holiday without worries. Of course, atIf necessary, the birthday girl will prepare dinner for 10, 20, 50 guests herself and spend the whole night on it, but it is much more pleasant to entrust this work to specialists and just have fun.

4. Suitable for any occasion. Whatever the occasion, an offsite banquet is the perfect solution.

Disadvantages of catering

Despite the many advantages of catering services, there are some disadvantages. Rather, these are not even shortcomings, but moments that require special attention.

1. Choosing a place for a banquet. In general, anyone can determine a place for a fun celebration. The main thing is that there is enough space for guests and it is possible to set tables and other furniture (that is, the base must be flat).
2. Cost. Organization of an outdoor banquet will cost a little more than a similar holiday in a cafe.

Inpatient service and outcall

Depending on the goals and features of the order, it is customary to divide catering services into 2 areas:

• offsite - to any place chosen by the customer (in this case, the chefs prepare food on their territory, and they bring it to the place of the banquet already prepared);

  

• stationary service (a typical example of this option is the daily preparation of meals for employees of the enterprise, work is carried out right on the spot).

In both cases, the customer receives a fully organized thoughtful service at the highest level andwhile he does not expend any effort.

To attract as many customers as possible, many catering companies offer special menus in addition to the regular menu. These are vegetarian, low-calorie and s alt-free cuisine.

Types of catering

In addition to the major destinations mentioned (stationary and outbound), there are various types of catering services. They differ according to the specifics of the event. Among the main species:

• offsite banquet;
• buffet decoration;
• BBQ or picnic;
• coffee break (a new service for the Russian consumer, but already very popular);
• cocktail;
• business catering (delivery of meals to a company or office).

Each of the above options has several characteristics at once (menu, type of service, additional services).

Outdoor banquet

Banquet is the most popular way of receiving guests in our country. During it, it is envisaged to assign a certain place to each guest at the festive table. Another characteristic feature is that everyone present is offered the same list of dishes in a certain order.

Banquet is a universal service. It is suitable for absolutely any important event, whether it be a wedding ceremony, birthday or any other holiday.

It should be taken into account that an offsite banquet can be called a real heavyweight in every respect (long preparationand high cost). In connection with such features, it is recommended to choose such expensive and difficult-to-prepare dinners only for major events (marriage, anniversary, wedding anniversary).

Offsite buffet

This type of ceremonial events is widespread in Europe. "Buffet" is a French word. If we literally translate it into Russian, we get “on a fork”. It may seem a little strange, but this name fully characterizes the way this dinner is held.

According to the rules, the buffet is held in the form of a casual meeting of guests who can move freely in the room and, if desired, approach the table with snacks. Personal chairs and plates for guests are not provided. In this regard, dishes for a buffet table are chosen appropriately. It can be canapes, cheese, meat and fish cuts, cold appetizers on skewers and everything that can be eaten without the use of spoons and plates. Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) can be placed on separate tables, or filled glasses can be served by waiters. A chocolate fountain for fondue (pieces of fruit on skewers that are dipped in chocolate) will be a real decoration of the buffet table.

At first glance, the organization of this type of catering is simpler, but it is not.

1. Waiters are required to show maximum attention and diligence. There should be enough snacks and drinks on every table.
2. Dimensions of the room or site onnature should be large enough for guests to move freely and not crowd.
3. Meal is not suitable for all occasions (usually for corporate parties, presentations, exhibitions).

The advantage of an offsite buffet is that:

you can prepare a quality reception for little money (savings are achieved due to the absence of hot dishes).

Organizing a BBQ

This catering service is the perfect solution for outings. It is best to choose a place with a picturesque view of the surroundings: a river bank or a meadow. The peculiarity of such a meal lies in the characteristic menu. It certainly includes cooking barbecue or barbecue. In addition, meat and fish cuts, cold and hot appetizers, salads can be served. All menu features are discussed in advance.

In addition to cooking, the catering company provides all the necessary furniture, utensils, equipment. At the request of the customer, many companies offer an entertainment program, musical arrangement.

Coffee break preparation

Not everyone knows the meaning of this expression, but the service itself is not new for a Russian person. Coffee break - a short break (15-30 minutes) for tea, coffee and a light snack. Arrange it during long meetings, presentations, negotiations.

In fact, this short break is very important in the work of any company, because after long discussions and decisions on important matters, the meeting participants can take a break,reflect on the information received and refresh. It is quite possible that after a cup of fragrant tea or coffee, people's mood will rise, the terms of the transaction will be more profitable, and there will be no controversial issues at all.

During a coffee break, catering tables are most often placed:

• light sandwiches, canapes;
• sweet and savory pastries;
• nuts;
• fruits and berries;
• various desserts;
• coffee;
• several types of tea (black, green, herbal);
• juice and mineral water;
• alcoholic beverages (in some cases).

Catering utensils

Any banquet is a serious event, where mistakes and shortcomings are simply unacceptable. Tableware for a meal is extremely important, since the overall impression of the meal and the event as a whole depends on it.

When ordering catering services, you don't have to worry about this detail, because the executing company will do everything itself. Indeed, the provision of dishes is one of the main services of catering companies. The feast will be provided with everything that is needed as part of a banquet, buffet or coffee break. Tables are served according to the menu and the number of guests, so there will be no shortage of dishes.

It is worth emphasizing that serving is carried out taking into account generally accepted requirements and norms.

Given all of the above, we can conclude: catering is relatively newdirection in the service sector for our compatriots, however, it deserves close attention in cases where high-quality organization of offsite banquets is required.