Catering Equipment On A Budget

For many, owning your own catering business is a dream come true, and there are many ways to satisfy your love for cooking whilst also making a decent living. If you’re up to date with the latest food trends, and you love to host dinner parties for friends and family, you can easily combine you’re entrepreneurial drive with your favourite hobby to give your skills a platform to develop. However there are a number of things that need to be in place before you start taking bookings!

In the world of catering, whether you get your business through word of mouth or you actively seek clients, you will need to find your culinary niche, and make sure it carries the name of your company through every bite and smell. Additionally, you’re going to need a solid foundation of equipment to ensure you can actually prepare hot and cold food, and seeing that most start-ups will be working to a tight budget, this can be tricky.

Thankfully there’s no need to fret, as we’ve compiled a list of the top catering considerations as well as some equipment you’ll be able to pick up within your budget.

Cheap Catering

Guest Profiles

One of the first things you’ll have to do when starting up your catering business, other than find your culinary niche, is to distinguish your guest or client profiles. Not only will you need to understand and differ the services you offer to friends and business clients, but you will also need to be knowledgeable about the services your competitors offer.

In order to make your business stand out, it’s imperative that you complement your food with a bespoke and professional service, as well as offering more than the next catering company in your area and price range. One you have these targets set out, there’s no going back, and you’ll need to retain that high level of food and service in order to retain customers.

Understand Preferences

With different clients come different preferences, and this can be a good thing and a bad thing. Within the catering industry, you must be able to offer a variety of menus depending on the age group of your clients, and limiting your menu will ultimately limit the expansion of your business.

For example, if you’re catering for an older group of professionals, like a book club get together, a milder menu is advisable. Your food will be there as a refreshment, and not as the centre piece of the engagement; offering something for everyone is the key to these types of bookings.

You will also get bookings where your food will be an essential element of the event, such as a charity auction. It is here where you can offer something more outlandish, and show off your culinary delights though a specific menu. You can have a look at the latest Catering equipment with Fridge Freezer Direct.

Essential Equipment

When you’re on the road with your catering business, you’ll need to keep a few pieces of equipment to hand when things get busy. A quality chef’s knife can be picked up relatively cheaply, however it’s good to note that the more you pay, the longer it will last. A portable rice cooker always comes in handy when catering for large groups, and again there are a variety of brands that offer great prices on this essential. Finally, don’t forget your lemon squeezer!

David is an experienced foodie and loves all aspects of food and drink. David also has a keen interest in the catering business.
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Top 7 Catering Ideas for Your Upcoming Event

Events can be fabulous with the proper catering and décor. Finding the proper theme and idea can make a catering event memorable for many years. Often, people planning events focus more on the décor than on the food. If the food is stellar, the event will earn high ratings. Consider these catering ideas for your upcoming event.

1. Choose a Theme

Themes make it easier to cater events. For instance, caterers may choose to have a seafood or island-themed party or a French-themed party. At a seafood-themed party, guests may expect to have sushi, oysters, clams, lobster claws, cocktail shrimp, or crab legs. Seafood may be complemented by vegetables and cocktail sauce. A plate full of steamed seafood is healthy and also delectable to most.A French-themed catered event can be quite effective. Most caterers would include gazpacho or French onion soup. Other common French food may include charcuterie, vegetable pie, or salad with anchovies. For the main course, caterers may serve coq au vin, steak au poivre, or quiche with salmon. Fruit tarts, crème brulee, and chocolate mousse may be served as dessert with this French meal.

2. Use High Quality Ingredients

High quality ingredients make events more impressive. Appetizers may include smoked salmon, caviar, and foie gras on toast. High quality poached scallops, shrimp, or mussels are also considered to be impressive. Roasted duck with asparagus or lobster can impress a large group. For dessert, fresh fruit is recommended. Raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries in a tart or served atop chocolate will help.

3. Make an Old Favourite More Upscale

An upscale picnic dinner can be a hit at weddings and events with people who have different food preferences. Potato salad with capers or a mixed greens salad with feta may be served with fried chicken as the main dish. A tart tatin can be served as a dessert.

4. Use Small Plates Similar to Tapas

Spanish tapas are becoming popular at dinner parties. The smaller portions allow people the opportunity to serve several different types of cuisine in small portions. Tapas are recommended for large parties when lines need to be controlled. Tapas may consist of olives, crab cakes, pizzas, quesadillas, and quiche.

5. Consider Hors d’ oeuvres Instead a Full Plate

Hors d’oeuvres serve the same purpose as tapas. Mingling and conversations are still possible when hors d’oeuvres. This concept works for weddings, gallery openings, and other ballroom events. Common hors d’oeuvres include asparagus spears or tuna on cucumber slices.

6. Try a Buffet Instead of Full Plates

Buffets help caterers stretch food selections. If a caterer is on a budget, high quality foods can be chosen and served buffet style to stretch the food selection.

7. Serve a Pre-Determined Formal Dinner

When caterers serve a pre-selected dinner, the event is more formal and special attention can be paid to each ensemble.

Focus on Catering Ideas for Your Upcoming Event

Catering ideas for your event are in abundance. Choose your direction and make your event memorable and fun for your guests. It may be worthwhile contacting a reputable event or conference planning company for professional advice and assistance.

Jan O’Donnell is a successful event planner in Sydney, Australia. She has planned many events throughout her career, both personal and professional, and advises that catering is essential to ensuring a successful event.

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