Catering

Corporate & Office Catering

There are many occasions when you might need catering—from client and team meetings, training sessions and launch parties, to workshops and office lunches. While arranging catering may seem like another thing on the to-do list, getting it right can impress your guests and make your events more successful. This guide will give you an overview of catering, how it works and who provides it to help you plan successful meetings and business events. 

What is corporate and office catering?

Catering is a service that prepares and delivers food and beverages to a location of your choice. Caterers can also cook and serve food on-site if you are hosting more formal business events such as black-tie parties and conferences. Some catering services may give you the option to hire furniture, crockery and equipment if required.

Catering removes the burden of having to feed your guests and ensure everyone’s dietary requirements are met so you can concentrate on getting stuck into business. Below are some examples of events that might require catering:

• Office lunches
• Team meetings
• Client meetings 
• Boardroom meetings
• Workshops
• Training sessions 
• Launch events 
• Networking events 
• Conferences
• Breakfast seminars
• Birthday parties 
• Team building events 

What are the different types of corporate and office catering?

Catering services today are extremely flexible and can accommodate all types of groups, budgets and dietary requirements. Some of the most popular options include:

• Box breakfasts/lunches:Boxed meals are like kids’ lunches but a little more sophisticated! They’re simple, effective and very easy to clean up.
• Plated breakfasts/lunches:This is essentially like a restaurant service in your office where waiters attend to your guest and serve food. Given the personalised service, the cost is usually higher.
• Platters:You can get platters for pretty much anything: sandwiches, wraps, sushi, burgers, fruits, desserts, etc. Platters are a popular option for small and large groups.
• Buffets:Buffet-style food includes large trays of food that people can tuck into. It’s a cost-effective option for larger groups. 
• Individual orders:Some catering services allow your employees/guests to order individual meals. It’s a more expensive option so it may be best suited to small team meetings or events.
• Food trucks:Food trucks are one of the more expensive options as there’s usually a minimum time frame you need to hire it for. It’s a great option for parties or larger events.

Who provides corporate catering services?

Catering providers include cafes, restaurants and catering companies that specialise in large and niche events. Not all catering services are the same—some specialise in certain styles such as buffets and platters while others cater to formal events only. With any type of catering, it’s important to consider the following things before hiring:

• What type of event are you hosting?
• What time will the meeting be held?
• How many people will attend the event?
• Do your guests have any dietary requirements (e.g. nut allergies, vegan, gluten-free, etc)?
• What is your budget?
• Will you need plates, cutlery or other equipment?

You can learn more about different catering service providers here on SavvySME. We can also connect you with catering services in your local area if you have an upcoming event.

The key to any successful business event is preparation. Always give yourself plenty of time to plan as some catering services have cut off times for orders. In addition to catering, make sure you’re well stocked up on tea, coffee water and healthy snacks to keep your team focused throughout the day.