Planning a corporate catering event can be overwhelming and exciting at the same time. There are many types of catered events and you want to make sure yours stands out from all the other ones your guests have attended before. There is so much to do and plan for. You need to find a venue, select a date and come up with an impressive menu. Whether you are a first-time event planner or an experienced one, it is vital to consider every step to ensure excellent catering services, food, and beverages.
If you are not sure where to start or need some guidance, there is no need to stress. In this blog, our reeds catering company in Charleston shares with you 5 suggestions and pointers for throwing a corporate event. By the end of the article you will know: how to cater an event that every attendee will remember. Also read our blog on types of events catering.
1. Determine Who will be Attending
The guest list for a corporate catering event is very important. Knowing the type of event that you are hosting and who and how many people will be attending can help make planning the event more productive. The size of the event can range anywhere from a small gathering of managers and executives with dinner party catering, to a large gathering of all employees, contractors and managers. The following questions help you and your catering company determine who will be attending and the type of event that will host them:
- How formal or informal does the event need to be?
- How often do you host events like the one that you are planning?
- How often do your guests attend corporate events?
- Are the guests local or are they coming from out of town?
- What are the ethnicities and backgrounds of your guests? Do they have any dietary restrictions?
2. Establish a Budget
Corporate events do not have to break the bank. Establish a budget in the first phase of corporate catering planning to ensure the event is successful and all your goals are properly met. This means, putting 15% of your total event budget aside for ordering additional food for last-minute guests and paying unforeseen costs. Costs on associated items such as napkins, plates, cups, and decorations can add up quickly so make sure you take that into consideration before creating the menu.
3. Provide the Guests with Plenty of Food Options
When attending an event or party, guests are frequently stuck picking over the same menu items as all the other attendees. Guests who attend corporate events are tired of restricted menus that contain items that they do not necessarily want to eat. They like variety and some control.
So, when selecting an entrée, it is recommended to have at least two options; three will be even better. You will also want to offer multiple salad dressing options, condiments served on the side, and dessert options. Making sure that you have a combination of healthy options as well as indulgent selections will surely cater to all needs.
4. Ask for Tasting Before Selecting A Corporate Catering Menu
Knowing the food you will be serving is important. That’s why our company that is offering catering in Charleston Sc recommends that you ask to taste the food options before adding them to the menu. When sampling the food, ask the caterer how the food is prepared and whether the catering is finished on site or cooked ahead of time. Tasting also gives you a chance to sample great food, taste the temperature, and most importantly see how it will be presented. It will also allow you to make any necessary adjustment to the menu to make sure that your event is a complete success.
5. Do Not Ignore the Eating Restrictions of Attendees
When planning a corporate event, it is very essential to find out if any of the guests have special dietary needs so that the catering service can plan for them, including:
- Food allergies (lactose intolerance, nut allergies, etc.)
- Food Intolerances (Celiacs)
- Voluntary dietary restrictions (vegetarians or vegans)
- Religious requirements (Kosher, Halal, etc.)
Concluding Note:
Planning any corporate event is a big responsibility. If you plan, make some decisions early, and book a catering service with a solid reputation, you can stage a business event that will be memorable. The above 5 corporate catering tips should help to get you started and ensure that your budget is well spent and your event well remembered.
If you are looking for more information, have a look at our blog posts here. Click here for more information on our corporate catering, wedding catering or event catering services. We have provided corporate catering in Charleston for more than 25 years.
