Catering an event can be stressful, but you can make things easier on yourself with these 5 catering tips:

Organization

The first thing you want to do is get organized, this will help relieve a lot of stress. Set up a type of system that will allow you to easily access everything that has to do with your event. Keep your lists and notes well organized and your supplies in a separate area where you can easily access them.

Menus

Menus are key to any catered event and you want to use yours to figure out everything you need to order. Don’t forget about appetizers, desserts and even drinks.

Lists

Lists will help you keep organized and are critical if you are self catering any type of event. Keep lists of the guests, the food you need, the equipment you need to rent, the decorations, and all of your contacts be they people that you are hiring or friends that you have enlisted to help you in your catering endeavors.

Keep A Schedule

Having an organized schedule is one of the most important catering tips that you can implement. You’ll need to know what to buy and when to buy it. When to send out the invitations, when to expect replies etc.. You want to keep a schedule starting at least a month in advance with a “to do” list of things you need to accomplish. Each day you can check off the things that you’ve done. Then on the day of the event, of course, you’ll need a schedule for cooking and serving the food as well as any other activities during the event.

Guests

An accurate guest count is important, but you won’t be able to get one down to the exact person. There’s always someone who doesn’t show when they say they will and someone who brings an extra guest. For that reason you want to try to schedule the amount of food so that you have the bare minimum left over. Perhaps enough for two or three people. Too much is a waste of money, too little might mean that you have someone without a meal.

If you are self catering an event, these catering tips can help you organized and be less stressed out so that you can relax, participate in the fun and enjoy the event yourself!

Tags: Catering Tips