Catering refers to the provision of food and drinks to people at social gatherings, parties, or events. Professional catering companies adapt to the needs of their clients by sending chefs, waiting staff and other employees to the venue of your event to handle everything related to food service and guest satisfaction. They may also adjust menus for people with dietary restrictions to ensure everyone is well taken care of. When choosing a catering company, it is important to understand the scope of their service so that you can get value for your money. This article looks at what full-service catering entails and why you should consider it for your next special event.
What is Full-Service Catering?
Full-service catering handles all aspects of an event from food preparation, decorations, to cleaning up at the end of the event. It is quite different from regular catering as it aims to provide a great experience throughout the occasion. Keep in mind that a full-service catering can be a big undertaking and requires careful planning before making the final decision. You need to invest a significant amount of time and money to get a full-service operation off the ground.
Some of the logistics include tableware, linens, serving equipment, and dedicated staff to serve on-site. The chief caterer manages every detail of the event based on your specifications and what appeals to every guest. People attending a special occasion can be demanding, emotional and always come with high expectations. Full-service catering can be milestone events for people holding special events such as weddings, award functions, galas, and annual sales meetings.
What Does Full Service Catering Entail?
- Venue Setup
The catering crew gathers all the necessary supplies to the event site before setting up the tables and seating arrangements according to the precise floor plan. Things can get a little more interesting if you are holding an outdoor event without cooking facilities. They can set up tents in two staging areas, one for cooking and the other for presentation and serving. If you will be serving using the buffet style, then the catering staff will set up the stations with chafing dishes and serving platters while keeping the station stocked. They will decorate the venue according to the selected theme, giving it a more inviting look.
- Menu Options and Food Preparation
Full-service catering gives you the option to choose your menu. They present several menu choices to guests and can allow you to create a more customized menu that fits the tone of the event. Depending on your caterer, food can either be brought on-site, cooked and readied before serving your guests or it can be prepared off-site and delivered to the venue location where it is warmed before serving. In either scenario, you will not be required to assist since the catering staff will handle everything for you.
- Dining Setup
Your caterer can fulfill your dining setup preferences whether you would like a buffet-style or plated catering. Reputable catering services can either work silverware and standard plate into their pricing or offer plate and flatware rental options. You may not have to lift a finger at your event besides the décor touches and the addition of your table centerpiece.
- Food Service
Whether you choose a plated or buffet dining setup, full-service catering will always provide a staff to assist. They provide the right number of experienced staffing to the event to offer the best experience to your guests. Good communication and personal skills are also vital to the guest experience and ensuring the success of an event. Full-service catering staff is always imaginative and adaptable to the specific needs of guests. They create a diversified menu and can always make adjustments to cope with food allergies or people with dietary restrictions.
- Cleaning Up After the Event
Hiring a full-catering service means that you do not have to worry about the need to clean up after the event as they have everything taken care of. They clear everything from the tables and wash all dishes leaving the venue clean as before. This gives you peace of mind and a feeling of satisfaction from the good customer service offered by the catering staff.
One of the distinguishing factors of a full-service catering is that every part of the event or social gathering runs like clockwork with a team of professionals behind the scenes. You are provided with a good number of experienced staff to set up tables, prepare food, serve guests, and clean up before packing everything away once the event comes to an end. The event captain oversees the catering team and works alongside the coordinator to maintain quality control and deliver the best experience to your guests throughout the event.