COMMON BLUNDERS TO AVOID WHILE HIRING CATERERS FOR A BUSINESS MEETING

Have you been left with the daunting task of organising the catering for a business meeting? “Oh Right, that is quite a simple task, anybody can do it!” This is one of the most common assumptions that caterers hear from people. But, only a caterer can understand the challenges faced in the catering industry and how difficult it becomes to manage and put together. But, do you know what is more difficult? Finding a good catering company for a corporate meeting is not an easy as it seems. At a successful meeting, impressing the clients with an excellent business plan, a warm welcome, and delicious mouth watering food is essential.Yet, many people make mistakes when choosing the right catering company to represent.

According to Murphy’s Law, if anything can go wrong, then there is a high ratio that it will go wrong especially at work. Similarly, when it comes to hiring a catering company, there are high chances that a person will make mistakes due to lack of knowledge and experience. Let’s have a look at some of the common mistakes often made and how you can best avoid them.

Mistake 1: Not setting a Fixed Budget
This is one of the most common blunders people make. When it comes to catering for a “meeting”, people often mistakenly take it very lightly and often end up spending way more than they should have done.

How to avoid it?
No matter, if it is a big event or a small meeting, setting a budget is always a very good and cost-effective option. Before hiring a catering company, make a list of the number of delegates visiting and the duration of the meeting. This way it easy to identify and keep track of how much you order , you can set the budget and ask the catering company for the required services. By using their knowledge and experience it’s almost impossible to go over budget.

Mistake 2: Planning a Business Meeting
An official meeting is usually organised to discuss future plans, mergers, and expansion of the business. How would you feel if every minute you are interrupted by the waiting staff? Would you be able to concentrate on work when there is a wide variety of delicious food being served?

How to avoid it?
Always remember, a business meeting is organised to discuss work. It is a formal invitation to meet new people and make fresh contacts. Avoid showcasing a big menu of food at a formal event and keep the food minimal yet tasty. A Sign of a good leader is that he/ she is well-aware of his guests and keeps the meeting running smoothly in every sense.Ask your caterers to keep the food menu minimal yet appetising.

Mistake 3: Last-Minute Plans
Making last minute changes can be difficult to deal with. When you hire a catering company, the first step is to explain the event, its requirements and the number of attendees. A caterer plans the whole event and allots work to the staff for proper execution. However, last minute changes are usually inevitable. How to avoid it? When you take sole responsibility for planning an event, there is a high risk of something going wrong, not to mention all the extra stress that goes with it. But, when you hire a catering company and give them prior notice, they have ample time to plan, discuss options, prepare menus within a given budget and take care of all the minor issues that may have slipped your mind. Why not hire best in the industry? Owen Brothers are renowned for office catering as they are professional, experienced, reputable and excel in dealing with all type of events.

Mistake 4: Setting a Customised Menu
“When people are inexperienced and lack knowledge, they make blunders.” One of the common mistakes people make is giving the wrong instructions to their catering company. Choosing the food menu is the responsibility of the client but picking the perfect food for the right occasion is an art and requires not only the know how but in depth knowledge is much needed.. How would you feel at a corporate meeting if a client’s dietary requirements are overlooked? Or if you run out of beverages to serve?

How to avoid it all ?
Some people are often misguided and assume that tailor made menus tend to be cheaper. However, the reality is that is not usually the case. On the other hand, your reputation is on the line. Serving light snacks, nibbles and platters seem to be edging towards the way forward. Serving luxury platters of sushi, cheese, salad and a selection of delicious cold meats are always an easy eat and an instant hit, as well as a way straight to your clients hearts.

Mistake 5: Organising a Buffet
When a business event is being planned, a buffet seems like a wise and ideal choice. But, organising a buffet for a small intimate meeting can appear to be“over the top” and an unwise choice. This not only creates a bad impression but looks highly unprofessional.

How to avoid it?
The idea behind setting up a quality buffet is to cater for a large amount of people and save some money. But, when there is a meeting of around five to ten people,the “A La Carte” option should not be ruled out. To discuss the best option suitable for your event and to avoid making any blunders make sure that you discuss all those intricate details with your caterers. Let them know the type of event that you are proposing, the number of guests and your food preferences. Let your caterer come up with the best menus for you. After all has been decided and agreed upon, relax and leave all the hard work to us at Owen Brothers Catering to bring that pizazz to your all important event.