Choosing the perfect food for your corporate event is an important decision and one that shouldn’t be left to chance. Sandman Gourmet Catering, a full service caterer in Columbus, Ohio providing extraordinary dining fare and services for every event, knows the essential role food plays in corporate meetings and events.
Meeting and event planners frequently find themselves organizing multiple events that include formal programs during the day and evening activities at night. When creating the agenda, many event planners look for ways to maximize their guests’ time and provide them with a delicious array of foods. Chef Rich Rores, president and owner of Sandman Gourmet, said whether you’re planning a small executive retreat or designing a national convention, pay close attention to every aspect of the menu. “Choose your caterer and food wisely and pay close attention to the details,” he said. “Not only do you want to serve quality, healthy foods, you also want to present them in the most appealing way for your attendees.”
Knowing the audience of your corporate event and asking the caterer for suggestions should always be near the top of the list. Chef Rores recommends including a few menu items that would satisfy everyone's palate. “If you're ordering box lunches with sandwiches, order a mix of meat and vegetarian choices, include a few salads and never be afraid to ask your caterer for advice.” He added that for the novice or experienced event planners, professional caterers can offer inspired suggestions of food selections and presentations.
Thoroughly understanding an event’s agenda is a must. For example, made-to-order omelets are great for an intimate morning awards ceremony, while meetings requiring note taking necessitates a more controlled food service environment. “Food should be in the background with no fuss for working meetings, but in the forefront for appreciation events,” he said.
Timing is the secret to every well-planned event but a tricky factor to control, especially when it comes to catering corporate events. “If ordering hot food, you need to time the delivery accordingly so that the food is delivered fresh and hot,” said Chef Rores. “If there is any question about dining times, order a box lunch that can be delivered ahead of time without the risk of compromising the quality of the food. Late food delivery will disrupt a meeting and disrupt meeting schedules.”
According to Chef Rores, the success of any corporate event is determined largely by the quality and presentation of the food. When offering his catering expertise for any event, he always recommends serving dining fare that gets the attention and satisfies the tastes of event guests. With food always being top-of-mind, Chef Rores suggests choosing a caterer who has a passion for food and its presentation. “When selecting a caterer, it’s important to do your research, check references and request a food sampling before making a final decision,” he said. He added that communication between caterers and clients is key to the success of any event. “Make sure you’re communicating your needs and vision clearly to the caterer, including any special dietary needs of the guests.” He added that a great caterer, however, will always be ready for any surprise that may surface.
Chef Rores said communication helps avoid surprises when planning a corporate event. “Be clear about your proposed menu, especially if you have a theme or style that needs to be reflected in the cuisine,” he said. "Because the type of food often determines the price of a catering job, knowing a client's budget helps establish how flexible a caterer can be in meeting their wish list." He recommends that clients ask the caterer in advance to provide a detailed contract of service and outline the terms of payment. According to Chef Rores, there are many factors that add up to a successful event including research, communication, planning and organization."
At Sandman Gourmet, we pride ourselves on presenting innovative concepts and memorable menu fare while maintaining time honored, and traditional techniques. We listen to our clients and help guide them in the planning and execution of fun and delicious events.”
Be the first to rate this post
- Currently 0/5 Stars.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5