Friday, May 3, 2013

Tips For Choosing A Catering Consultant

By Alison Wilcox


If you have a big event it is likely that you will need to feed a large number of guests. This can be a lot to organise and requires the right people to ensure everyone is satisfied. If you run a catering company you want to make sure it is as efficient as possible. Therefore you need to find the right catering consultant. With the right research you can get everything organised and make your business more effective for your customers.

For example a client may want to host a Latin themed night. You may want the appropriate cuisine such as tapas or if you are doing a casino night you may want finger food so that people have something to grab while they are at the roulette table. You do not necessarily need to have food to exactly fit the theme but this often helps and a consultant can help to ensure this is done effectively and appropriately.

For example there are a lot of people who prepare food for big events who struggle to make a profit. The problem is that they may want to get as many clients as possible and therefore pitch at a low amount in order to secure the additional business while at the same time trying to use high quality ingredients and equipment. The problem with this is that in the long term you do not make enough profit.

A consultant can look at what you are spending and how to reduce it. For example a lot of restaurants that close down need to sell their old equipment. It can be possible to get some high quality equipment for a cheap cost. Alternatively if you only occasionally need specialist equipment for certain events you may want to consider hiring it rather than paying for items that are only occasionally used.

If you want to choose a consultant you ought to contact them in person after an initial enquiry via phone or email. Talk to them about their experience. They should be willing to discuss their qualifications so that they can indicate how they are capable of improving the efficiency of your business. Ideally they will also have been caterers themselves as they will be more likely to be sympathetic to your current situation and be able to engage on a more personal level with you.

These are all things you can discuss with a potential consultant. They can then look at what you need and ensure that all requirements are met. They can also help you when it comes to deciding whether you want a sit down meal or a buffet that people can help themselves from. They can also help prepare you for any awkward questions a client may ask such as when food will be available.

When talking with consultants pay attention to their advice. Some may have different views on others. Ultimately your business is your own responsibility and you have to ensure that you make the decision that is right for you.

You can find a number of catering consultants online. Do not be afraid to ask questions regarding their experience and how much their services cost. Use your regular search engine to compare what is available in your local area and to get customer feedback to decide who is most appropriate for your business.




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