What Should You Do When Catering Equipment Breaks?

Most catering equipment in the UK will last for years before it requires replacing. That time must come sooner or later, though. You have to prepare for the time when your commercial catering equipment will require replacing. However, how you react will influence how much disruption you will have to deal with.

Let uslook at what your plan of action should be in the event of a breakage.

Is the Equipment Actually Broken?

It is easy to overreact when something goes wrong. Many businesses have determined that they require completely new equipment when the simplest of repairs could make everything right again. Purchasing a replacement should be a last resort when you are certain you cannot salvage what you already have.

Take the equipment and attempt to pinpoint the problem. Send it to a qualified repair person who can check it over for you. They will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis of the issue.

Repair or Replace?

You will have to make a decision as to whether it is worth repairing equipment or replacing it. Sometimes it’s not worth paying for the repairs. Older catering supplies in the UK will breakdown more and more often. If you are repairing something multiple times per year, you are wasting money.

As a business, it is tempting to try to avoid buying a replacement for as long as possible. After all, nobody wants to spend a significant amount of money on new equipment. The fact of the matter is paying more now could well save you money in the long-term.

The Duration

There is more to this than the actual monetary cost. You have to consider how long it’s going to take you to get a replacement in or to complete the repair work. As a business, you are hamstrung each time something goes wrong. It is essential you turn the situation around as soon as you possibly can.

At this point, you need a contingency plan in place. Here are some of the points you will have to consider:

1) Do you need to notify your clients of what has gone wrong?

2) Will you have to completely reorganise your schedule?

3) In the absence of a piece of equipment, is it possible to work around the problem in the short-term?

Remember, a piece of broken equipment is a matter for both your business and the people you are working for. The best businesses handle matters in the right way by making sure their clients come first.

Conclusion

Dealing with a repair can be a daunting experience. You have to react in the correct way if you are going to make the best of a bad situation. Whenever something breaks, assess the situation and see whether you need to repair the equipment or replacement. When you have determined this, focus on the short-term and how you are going to work around any potential obstacles.

Notify your clients of the changing situation, if necessary. Moreover, make it clear that you are doing the best you possibly can. By acting professionally at all times, you can make sure your business preserves its reputation and gets through this difficult time.

Should You Buy Catering Equipment from Closing Sales?

A closing sale is where a business has closed for whatever reason. They are selling off their equipment and people have the opportunity to buy. This may be part of an auction setting or a case of first come first served. For people looking to purchase catering equipment, this can be a blessing. However, at the same time, you have to buy with caution. Let uslook at whether you should buy from closing sales.

The Setting

First of all, you have to take into account the setting. Is the business running an auction or are they simply allowing people to walk in and make offers on various pieces of equipment?

In the case of an auction, you have to give yourself a secure spending limit. During auctions, buyer can become entangled in bitter battles over various pieces of commercial kitchen equipment. They become more concerned with winning rather than getting a good deal. Do not get involved in these battles or you could find yourself paying more than the item is actually worth.

If you do buy from closing sales, it is best to go for a first come first served scenario. This way you can browse the equipment as you would in a conventional shop.

What about the Condition of the Items?

The condition of the items is always a factor to take into account. Exercise the same caution you would when buying from any other second-hand supplier. Remember, it is difficult to hold a business to account when it’s already shutdown. Usually, you will not have much support in the years following a sale.

Always make sure you have the opportunity to check anything you buy before you buy it. If you do not have this option available, you may find yourself paying way too much for an item that has little going for it.

Can You Get Something Good?

It is easy to assume that all commercial catering equipment bought from closing sales is old tat with minimal longevity left. The fact is businesses close for a number of reasons. For a start, not every business is closing because it wants to. Some companies open and close within a few months. This would mean they have to get rid of brand new equipment that has only been in use for six to eight months. That is nothing for heavy-duty catering supplies.

It is all about going to the right closing sales and ensuring you never force yourself to make a purchase. The biggest risk comes in getting lost in the sale. Just because you turn up does not mean you have to actually buy anything.

In conclusion, you can and should consider closing sales as a useful outlet for getting good deals on commercial kitchen supplies. What you should never do is use a closing sale exclusively. Do not put your business on hold for the sake of finding the right sale. If the deal is not there, look for other methods of supply to outfit your catering operation. By doing so, you will get good equipment at an affordable price.

How to React When Catering Equipment Breaks on the Job

There's nothing worse than working with a piece of equipment and it breaks in the middle of a job. Think of what could happen if your bakery equipment decided to breakdown whilst you are dealing with a large order. How would you deal with the situation?

The mark of a good business is in how they deal with adversity. Should you find yourself in a situation like this, you have to react in the right way. Luckily, anyone can do it and it is not as hard as you think. In this article, you are going to learn how to react when your catering equipment switches off at the worst possible time.

Assessing the Immediate Damage

Instead of worrying about what is going to happen next, take a deep breath, and survey the situation from an objective point of view. Focus on the short-term right now.

For example, let us say you are working with bar equipment and one of the nozzles becomes damaged. The right way to react is to acknowledge that you need a new delivery system. Ask yourself can you get an immediate replacement. If the answer is no, you should look into an alternative delivery system. You should also inform the client that something has gone wrong and you are looking into alternatives.

The last part about telling the client is the most important part of the process. Even if you cannot resolve the situation immediately, the fact you informed your client at the first opportunity instantly gives your business credibility.

Time Issues

How quickly can you get a replacement? How soon do you need said replacement?

These are two calculations you should attempt to make. They do not have to be accurate. If your depot is an hour away from the catering venue and the event starts in two hours, you already know you have enough time to source the replacement. This means you do not have to look at alternative solutions to the problem.

Also, take into account how sourcing said replacement impacts on timings for other aspects of the catering process. Remember, you have to spare a member of staff to solve the problem. How is the rest of your team going to step in and pick up the slack?

In the Aftermath

Whether you manage to replace the broken item or not, the aftermath of the event is just as important as what happens during the event.

If you have sullied the catering experience for your client, think about how you can repay said client for the trouble. An offer of a one-time discount or a simple public apology can be enough to repair your reputation in the eyes of the client. It is the fact that you made a gesture of apology that counts here.

Now you need to focus on either repairing the broken item or finding catering equipment suppliers who can replace the item. Make sure you address the issue at the earliest possible opportunity. By doing so, you can make sure the same problem does not happen again next time.

How to Buy Second-Hand Catering Supplies Online

Whether you own a large catering company or you need catering supplies UK for a one-off event you are planning, this is a major expense. Purchasing brand new supplies can set you back quite a significant amount. You do not have to approach the big catering equipment suppliers to get the deal you are looking for, though.

It is possible to buy them second-hand online. In this article, we are going to show you the best way to do it.

Find a Seller

To start with, you have to find someone who is willing to sell you second-hand equipment. This is not always easy because there are so many possible locations you can check. The first place you should look to is your local area. Use websites like Gumtree and Craig’s List to help you track down individuals and businesses in your locality that may have various bits and pieces for sale.

Do not limit yourself to seeking out sellers who have absolutely everything you need. Be willing to buy pieces from multiple sellers, otherwise you could be searching for a long time, and there is no guarantee you will find the right seller.

Check them Out

Sadly, the online world is a hub for people who want to rip good businesses off. This is why you have to be especially careful when looking at catering equipment UK. Get in contact with the seller and ask them some questions about what they are selling. Most importantly of all, you need to ask them about whether you can see the items in person before buying.

We always recommend making the purchase in person wherever possible. Doing so allows you to thoroughly check the condition of the items and make sure they really are how they appear in the original ad.

Once you are happy with the equipment, you can move on to the final step in the purchasing process.

The Agreement

When you are happy with the items, it might be tempting to hand your money over and be on your way. This is the wrong way to go about it. In a conventional land-based store, you would automatically have access to a return and refund policy. You also may have the opportunity to have an item repaired if it breaks within a certain period.

You have to be clear about what the seller’s responsibilities are as part of an independent, second-hand purchase. In most cases, they will not offer refunds or repairs. Once you take the item away, that’s it. This is also why you will often get a lower price for an item bought in this way.

Is it a Good Idea?

Some people stay clear of making a purchase of second-hand catering equipment in this way. They believe the risks are true great. Whilst it is not inherently unsafe, you do have to take care with the way you purchase these items. There is always a risk of buying something and it breaking down immediately. If you are buying equipment to last for years to come, it is nearly always better to look towards paying extra for completely new equipment.

How to Buy Catering Equipment from Closing Businesses

Kitchen equipment is expensive. If you want to outfit a commercial kitchen from scratch with brand new equipment, you can expect to pay thousands of pounds to do it. It is no surprise to see businesses looking for an alternative means of getting what they need. Thankfully, there are other options available.

One of these options is closing sales. Businesses that have closed down for whatever reason need a way of getting rid of equipment quickly. To do this, they hold a public sale where other businesses can come in and make offers on what they have.

Here is how you can go about making a purchase.

Find the Sale

You will not find closing sales widely advertised. It is a case of latching on to various rumours and making sure you turn up on the correct day. The easiest way of finding a sale is to actually drive past a business and see a sign in the window. Obviously, this is not a practical way of doing things. Instead, browse local online community boards. Businesses will normally advertise a closing sale on a local basis so they can get enough buyers.

What is the Sale Type?

Determine the type of sale before you start to splash your cash. It does not always work the same way as conventional kitchen suppliers. You cannot always walk in, make an offer, and walk out again. Some sales are conducted in the form of an auction where you must bid against fellow buyers in an attempt to win.

If it’s not an auction, it’s just like going into any store and taking something of the shelf. An auction, however, throws up a whole host of problems. Primarily, you have to avoid overpaying. It is easy to get carried away with the desire to beat someone out of an item. Focus on yourself and nobody else.

Auction Tips

1) Inspect the item before buying. Do not buy what you have not seen.

2) Set a strict spending limit on an item. Avoid going over this limit.

3) Do not build the auction up in your mind. It is easy to overspend when you believe this is your one and only chance of buying something. It’s not your only chance.

Establish the Terms of Sale

Prior to handing over any money, you need to know about the terms of sale. Closing sales do not always work the same way as conventional catering equipment suppliers. You will never have the same buyer protections in place. This is a closing sale. You will not have anyone to complain to when the business selling the items drops off the face of the earth.

Work out what they will and will not take responsibility for. Even at closing sales, businesses will offer some form of temporary warranty for the first few weeks. If the item breaks, they will take responsibility. What you will not have is the option to ask for a refund. Once you buy the item, the item is yours to keep.

Every closing sale works differently. When you are happy with the terms of sale and the price, hand the money over and take your new equipment back with you.

Top Tips for People Learning to Use Commercial Kitchen Equipment for the First Time

Learning to use commercial kitchen equipment for the first time is a nerve-wracking experience. Many people walk in thinking it is going to be like the cooker they have at home, but when they see all the knobs, dials, and settings they go to pieces.

If you are training to use kitchen equipment, here are some top tips to make sure you take in as much as you possibly can.

Listen to the Trainer

It seems like an obvious one, but not for the reason you think. Yes, you need to listen to them if you are going to learn how to use the equipment. What people forget is every catering company has a different procedure and a different system for using commercial machinery. If you get this wrong, it could land you in hot water with both your peers and the management team.

Get Used to the Speed

You will have to get used to a certain way of working. Someone who uses commercial equipment will have to be able to produce food in a certain period. Consistent timing is everything in catering because the waiters need to be able to manage their time effectively, otherwise guests could be waiting twenty minutes before they receive their next meal.

Hard Staff Members

Catering is a high-pressure industry. You have to have a thick skin no matter where you are in the process. When you train, you will make mistakes, but you have to be willing to accept the fact senior staff members will be harsh on you. The waiters will especially have a problem with failure because they rely on topping their wages up with tips.

If you cannot find the right button on a commercial grill, the extra time lost could mean they do not get a tip.

Leave Your Ego at the Door

You might think you are the most technical person in the world and nothing can touch you. With this sort of attitude, you’re setting yourself up for disaster. Leave your ego at the door and listen to what people with more experience than you are trying to tell you.

Focus on Your Job

Most of the time, you are going to be working in an environment where you are close to people. It can get tempting to start talking about what you did at the weekend or what you were doing last night. Cut out the small talk. You are in a work area that relies heavily on good timing and getting things right the first time every time.

Reduce the number of mistakes you make whilst training by focusing on the job at hand. If you are working on the commercial coffee machines, you do not want to press the wrong button because you were trying to talk to a friend standing next to you.

Overall, remember not to be too harsh on yourself. You are a trainee and many of these machines can take some getting used to. Most trainees do not realise how complex some of these machines are until they confront them for the first time.

The Three Things Every Waiter Has To Take Into Account

Waiters have one of the hardest jobs in the world. They have to manage the entire eating area for minimum wage. It is hardly a desirable job, but they do it anyway. It is a difficult job and you need a certain set of skills and characteristics to do it.

In this article, we are going to delve into some of the things every waiter has to take into account.

Time Management Skills

Timing is everything. Guests want their food to always be fresh. This is why a waiter has to be able to deliver fresh food when a guest calls for it. They have to be able to understand how long it takes for their specific brand of commercial kitchen equipment to make a meal. It is a case of estimating when a guest might need it.

Time management is not only about keeping track of all the commercial catering equipment in the back. It is also about keeping guests informed about how long something will take to create.

For example, you will have to explain that a well-done steak will take longer to make than a steak cooked to rare. It may seem like common sense, but many guests need to have it explained to them if you do not want them to kick up a fuss.

Multi-Tasking on Ever Trip

There is a rule within the restaurant industry. Every waiter should leave the kitchen with their hands full and come back to the kitchen with their hands full. In plain English, this means they should be picking up any plates or glasses on their way back to the kitchen after delivering food.

Good waiters know how to multi-task. The average waiter could be taking care of up to five tables at the same time. This means they have to clear away the plates, take orders, bring out the drinks, and handle all those extra niggling jobs.

Multi-tasking is more of a mind-set and an example of good organisation than anything else. Always think, “How much can I get done on this single trip to the floor?”

Do They Like Me?

A waiter’s job is to bring the food to the table and take it away again. This is not your primary concern. What you need to do is establish that important human relationship. Having a moody waiter come to your table can completely ruin a meal. You do not understand how crucial a well-mannered waiter is until you experience a waiter who cannot make small talk.

It is intimidating to walk up to a bunch of strangers and ask them what they would like, but you have to.You will find yourself repeating the same lines to different tables all night long. Make them like you and you may even get a few extra tips at the end of the night.

Remember, always remain professional and never let small talk take you away from serving other tables and attending to your tasks. Good waiters talk fast, end the conversation, and get back to work.

Should Waiters Expect a Tip at a Wedding?

Catering equipment suppliers supplying waiters for a wedding party is a little different from walking into a restaurant and having permanent waiters there ready to serve you. For many guests, it is tough deciding on whether they should tip the waiters at the end of the night or not. There are no hard and fast rules on the etiquette of a situation like this.

In this article, we are going to investigate this issue the next time you employ a catering equipment company for your next event.

Why is it Any Different?

Once you order catering equipment in the UK, you are also buying the waiters. This is confusing for people because they have technically already paid a service charge to the waiters. You have not done this in a normal restaurant setting.

The truth is although you have already bought the services of a team of waiters, they will not see any of that extra money. The chances are they are on minimum wage and will continue to receive that same wage no matter what you have paid.

Always give a tip to a waiter who does a good job at your wedding.

What about the Tip Charge on the Bill?

Some catering companies will already add a bit extra for a ‘service charge’ on the bill. This still does not mean you should give a tip to a waiter. These service charges do not necessarily go to the waiters. Some companies add the service charge but keep it as profit. The waiter never sees a penny of it.

In other cases, the total tip is split between all the waiters. Therefore, that waiter that went the extra mile for you will only see a tiny portion of the amount you gave.

Tip Directly to the Waiter

If you feel like a waiter has done a particularly good job, give them the money directly. Only put it in their hands so they get to keep the money. They may well have an informal agreement with their colleagues about what happens to the total tipping pot at the end of the night, but that is up to them.

Never make the mistake of giving a tip to a manager or another member of staff to give to the waiters. It will go straight into the company coffers.

Is Tipping the Waiter Expected?

Rules on tipping are far more lax because the waiters tend to receive a fair wage, unlike in a restaurant setting. In your favourite eatery, waiters need tips to pay their bills. The management expects them to top their wages up with any tips they can wrangle from the guests. At a wedding, waiters do not expect tips and you do not have to give them.

On the other hand, this does not mean you should not tip someone for good work. Yes, you might never see them again, but it’s a way of rewarding them for a job well done.

In conclusion, always tip the waiters when they have done a good job. Never feel compelled to do it, but it is a nice gesture when it does happen.

6 Survival Tips for Trainee Waiters Working in Catering

Waiters have a thankless task. They have to keep everyone from the kitchen staff to the people on the floor happy. If something goes wrong, the chances are you will be the first person to blame. It all gets better with experience, though.

In this article, we have teamed up with top catering company Kidcateringequipment.com, and we are going to show you how to take your first steps into the profession.

1. Always Be On Time (or early)

Making friends early by creating a good impression is the best way of making it in this high-stress job. You do not want to give off the impression you do not really care about the job by turning up late. This is only going to make life far more difficult for you in the long-term. Try to be early in your first few days on the job.

2. Pay Attention to Your Trainer

Your trainer is your best friend and your life support in the first few days. You may be using catering equipment UK at a wedding with the rest of your team. When you do not know what you are doing, your trainer is there to help. Do not ignore them and barrel on in. Despite the fact you are a waiter, you do need to know about catering supplies in the UK for the purposes of time management.

3. Move Faster

Even though guests at the tables may see you as relaxed and comfortable, the reality behind those kitchen doors is different. You need to be able to work at the pace of the rest of the team. It is a job where if someone’s timing is off disaster can ensue.

You may find it overwhelming at first, but instead of trying to get everyone else to slow down you need to speed up.

4. The Grunt Work

Be prepared to have to deal with the work nobody wants to do in the beginning. Your trainer may well give you all the boring jobs, such as preparing silverware. Although it is hardly the most exciting thing in the world, take it anyway. It is common practice in many companies for the newer waiters to have their limits tested by such tedious tasks.

5. Ask the Right Questions

If you have to ask a question, make sure it is relevant to the job. Never ask questions that reek of self-interest. Asking about whether you can have next weekend off or how much you can take out of the tip pot is not going to make you any friends. It shows you are more interested in yourself than improving your performance.

6. Smile

This is the number one tip for succeeding as a waiter. Always smile, even when you do not feel like it. In the face of guests, this lights up the atmosphere and puts them in the mood to have a good time. A smile in the back when everyone is running around trying to get everything ready will improve the atmosphere. It also shows you are taking your job seriously at all times, and that cannot be a bad thing.

5 Secrets about Destination Wedding Catering You Didn't Know About

Destination wedding catering just means that a catering company will take all their commercial catering equipment and drag it out to wherever a wedding they have been hired to cover happens to be. For the time you paid them for, they will cater to your every need (within reason).

Here are some of the secrets you did not know about how destination wedding catering works, though.

1. You Don't Pay for the Food

This is perhaps the most common misconception amongst people. When the caterers arrive, you have not paid for all the food they bring. You have paid for a certain number of plates and guests, but the food there is still the property of the catering company. Once it is time to leave, you cannot keep the leftovers. Anything left goes back to the company for them to do what they want with.

2. Caterers Lose a Lot of Profit on Extras

There is a reason catering equipment in the UK is often more expensive than you think. They have to make up money on the extras they have to bring along. It is rare for caterers to run out of food for the table and alcohol for the bar. This is not because your guests have not indulged. It is because the caterers have brought extra.

Catering equipment suppliers do not know how much you might want to drink that night, or what you might want to drink. To stop themselves from running into disaster, they have to bring along more than they actually need. Moreover, the guests are rarely charged anything extra for this.

3. Last Call isn't an Option
The majority of caterers will not issue a last call at the bar before the end of the event. This is because they do not want to be rushed by your friends trying to claim as much alcohol as possible. Remember, you are paying for time not the alcohol. You have paid to stock the bar and for the servers and nothing else.

If someone has an extra glass of wine, you are not going to find the catering company trying to hunt you down for that extra glass of wine. It's an expense normally shouldered by the catering company. This is one of the reasons why most caterers prefer not to issue a last call.

4. Rehearsal Dinners

Destination wedding caterers relish the chance to watch the main guests at a rehearsal dinner. They watch everyone to see how they are likely to react on the big day. In most cases, this provides the caterers with the vital information they need on what they need to bring and how much of it they need to bring.

It stops any mistakes from getting through when it matters the most.

5. It's Dangerous

You would be surprised at how dangerous catering for a wedding can be. Sometimes at the end of the night,it is not uncommon to see people trying to raid the coolers and demand more from the bartender or the waiter. They do not understand that the food and drinks are not their property. They are extras only in case someone ran out of something.

This is why you will commonly see reception staff bulking up around the main bar areas in case of trouble.

What Traits Does a Catering Business Need to Succeed?

Catering is a highly competitive industry. Customers demand only the very best and a negative reputation can spread in a matter of weeks to such an extent that it completely cripples the business. The fact is a catering business must be able to conform to the needs of its customers if it is going to succeed.

Through studying various successful catering business, it is clear they have many things in common, even though they target different niche sectors of this food sub-sector. Let us look at some of the top traits every catering business needs to succeed.

An Ability to Network

How do you think a catering business gets its kitchen equipment and staff?

They have to know the right people. It is how they not only get the highest quality equipment but also how they also increase their profit margins. The top catering businesses can cater to the specialist needs of their customers because they know all the right catering equipment suppliers. They can offer a greater range of services.

A Listening Company

Companies can only succeed if they are willing to adapt to the needs of customers. In the catering business, it is not uncommon to see customers voting with their feet and going elsewhere. Brand loyalty is not as prominent in this industry.

Smart catering companies will look for a review from a customer after every job. They will make it clear that they consider negative aspects of the service are just as important to them as the positive aspects.

More importantly, they will act upon the feedback they receive. It is how they can make sure they continue to meet the needs of their customers.

Reliability and Communication

Catering is a business that can break in a matter of seconds. It is the sort of thing that requires everything to be done at a specific time. If something goes wrong, it can affect everything else that comes after it.

The top catering companies know how to plan for each individual job. They are reliable and they have at least a 95% first-time strike rate. When something does go wrong, though, they react in the right way to solve the problem and limit any damage caused.

Another important aspect of this process is communication. The best catering kitchen suppliers will keep their clientele informed of the situation. They know that their customers are stressed and worried about whether everything is going to come off in the right way.

What about Price?

Believe it or not, most catering customers do not consider price a priority. They always want to get the lowest price possible, but they will nearly always place quality above how much they are being charged.

This is because catering is a results-based industry. If something goes wrong, it does not matter how much the customer is paying. An embarrassing meal where nothing is ready and the food is of an inferior quality will not be ignored simply because you did not have to pay as much for it.

Overall, any top catering company will realise quality always comes first. In an industry where quality is everything, it can really mean the difference between success and bankruptcy.

What Makes a Good Catering Manager?

The catering manager is your eyes and ears on the ground. The owner of a catering business has to rely on their managerial team to understand what is going on and what the business needs to do to push forward. A good catering manager will have a number of traits that makes them stand out from the rest of the team.

If you are looking for someone to manage your catering equipment in the UK, make sure he or she has some of the following traits.

Leadership

This is the only reason they are a manager in the first place. If they do not have the ability to lead their teams through motivating and encouraging them, they are not good enough for the job. A leader knows best what makes each member of his or her team tick.

Furthermore, they will have a cool head and be able to take control when the pressure is on. Another aspect of their character is someone who is able to take responsibility when things do go wrong. Managers do not blame their teams. They point out exactly what went wrong and focus on what they as a manager could have done better.

Flexibility and Creativity

Catering managers deal directly with their clientele. They will have both the flexibility and the creativity needed to adapt to a certain situation. It is not uncommon to see someone revealing that someone has an allergy on the day. It is too late to call out for different food, but recipes can be changed. It is down to the manager to make these decisions. They are there to make sure the customer gets exactly what they need.

Organisation

A catering manager will be responsible for multiple teams. Remember, you are not just dealing with commercial catering equipment; you have to manage the décor of a room, the food, and the seating arrangements. There will be a team dedicated to each aspect of the process, but there will always be a manager making sure everyone knows what they are doing.

Managers must be organised and have the ability to keep their fingers on the pulse. If they are unable to keep up with everything that is going on, they could easily lose track of what people are doing, and this can quickly lead to disaster.

More to It

Managers are rarely just managers in the catering trade. Many of them are trained to use catering supplies in the UK. They are able to step in should a worker fall ill or they need an extra pair of hands to temporarily intervene.

Any manager who also has experience in other sectors of the catering business will always be a highly prized asset in any company. It is like having a substitute worker who you do not have to pay extra for.

Always remember to spend the time looking for the right manager to manage your operations. Even if you have the best team in the world, a lack of a good manager is like having a person without a head. They are the brains of the operation and your main point of contact. This is one area where you absolutely cannot compromise.

What is the Typical Profit Margin for a Caterer?

A caterer, like any other business, has to make a healthy profit margin if it is going to cover its overheads and grow for years to come. The typical profit margin for a caterer is hard to predict simply because it depends entirely on what sort of events the caterer specialises in; assuming it specialises at all.

Without fixed premises, in most cases, caterers can expect their profit margins to be higher than other businesses in the food industry. In this article, we examine this complex subject.

Not as High as you Think

Most caterers will make a small amount of money on catering equipment in the UK. They will often hire it out at roughly the same price as they paid for it. Most of the money comes from food. They buy food on a wholesale basis and mark it up. This is where the vast majority of their profits come from.

Bigger caterers will also make a significant amount on labour costs. For example, hiring out waiters will involve paying a larger amount on the part of the customer to both cover the wages of the waiters and the services they provide. Take note, most people who work in the catering trade are on minimum wage and little more.

In total, you can expect a caterer to make about 10% in profit. This is not as significant as you think.

Variables

There are variables that affect profit margins. In many cases, specialist equipment will lower profit margins. Few catering companies will ask the customer to pay more for specialist catering supplies in the UK. The catch is that most catering equipment suppliers will charge huge amounts for specialist equipment.

Another variable is specialist dietary needs. Wholesale food businesses will provide huge discounts on common meats and vegetables. They will not do the same with gluten-free and soy-free foods. If you are catering for a wedding and you have to offer these special dishes, it is often bad for business to simply pass these increasing costs onto the customer.

Caterers realise it’s not as simple as passing higher costs onto the end user. They have to weigh up whether increasing their prices for certain packages are going to affect their ability to beat out their competitors for business.

Wastage and Inefficiencies

There are always hidden costs you cannot take into account immediately. These could include repair costs and any disasters that might occur during the running of a catering package. Again, it’s considered bad for business to pass these extra costs onto the customer, especially if it’s a problem on your end.

Wastage and inefficiency can cause big hits to the profit margin. This is why if not everything goes off correctly it can lead to a caterer seeing their profit margins wiped out completely. This is why caterers must plan so meticulously before beginning any new job.

In conclusion, caterers must tread a fine line when determining their prices. With this highly competitive industry relying completely on efficiency, its vital caterers have well-trained staff if they are going to maintain healthy profit margins.

What are the Top Traits of a Truly Great Catering Waiter?

Waiters make up a significant part of any catering team. They will often operate the bar equipment, as well as serving the food. Waiters are trained in how to manage practically everything that goes on in front of guests. They will take the orders, clear up the plates, and prepare any extra chairs and tables that are needed.

Second only to the chefs, this is perhaps the most challenging role of the whole catering team. In this article, we are going to look at some of the things people will expect from a good waiter.

Customer Service

People may not expect you to be a dab hand with the bakery equipment, but they will expect you to have good customer service. Yes, it is essential that waiters know how to treat customers right. This means being able to listen to their needs and act accordingly.

Good customer service is mainly about listening and acting as the communications link between the kitchen and the floor.

Attention to Detail

Presentation is everything in the catering business. A waiter must pay attention to detail when they are presenting food to the guests. They need to be able to put it down in a way that does not obstruct other guests or get in the way of a good conversation.

A waiter must always be on the lookout for empty classes and empty plates. Even though the atmosphere might be a relaxing one, there is always something going on. It is up to the waiter to make sure they can spot all these little nuances. They can make or break a dinner.

Food Safety

All catering companies must abide by certain health and food safety standards. This is not just so you can tick a few boxes. It is to make sure that customers get the best quality food they possibly can. Waiters should be trained in how to handle food and how to make sure that food remains fresh until it finds its way onto the guests’ plates.

Ideally, all catering staff will have taken an accredited food safety course. This is often a requirement for a worker to join a catering company in the first place.

Staying Invisible

Waiters are very much like referees. You know they have done a good job when they are not a talking point. A good waiter will stand to the side and make sure they do not intrude upon their guests. They will only speak when necessary or when spoken to. Waiters must remember they are part of the furniture not a guest at the party.

Experienced waiters are able to work around guests without interfering with the general ambience. It takes a highly trained individual to be able to do this because their skill comes from all the little things they do. Highly experienced catering equipment suppliers will always take care to employ the right waiters for this reason.

Overall, good waiters are defined by the little things they do. The best catering companies will always make sure they employ a team of waiters who know exactly what it takes to give customers the best service possible.

How to Hire a Catering Van for Your Next Event

Catering vans are mobile pieces of catering equipment. They allow you to cook food almost anywhere. These are also a relatively compact alternative to high-end catering. This is why so many companies opt for this type of commercial kitchen equipment, especially when they do not have the dedicated catering space within their facilities.

In this article, we are going to look at how you should go about hiring a catering van for your next event.

Planning for the Party

Start by thinking about how many guests you expect to come. To be on the safe side, always base your estimate on how many guests you invite, rather than whether you think someone will actually turn up or not. It is always better to have too much capacity than too little.

Determine how many meals the van will be used for. This will determine how well equipped the van will need to be. It is always wise to be aware of what sort of meals you will have on offer from the very beginning. Take into account any special dietary needs, such as vegetarianism from the beginning.

What about the Budget?

Always have a budget in place. It is easy to see a catering budget get out of control if it does not have solid limits on it. You have to make sure that you are aware of how many guests you can accommodate and what sort of food you can afford.

Furthermore, you have to remember that you will need the staff to make and serve the meals. Most catering vans are highly specialised and require a trained pair of hands to operate.

Recommendations for a Company

With an idea of the amount of people who will be attending and a budget in place, you need to find a company with commercial catering equipment who can meet your needs. It starts with being able to find someone reputable.

The best place to start is with people you trust. Ask any friends or colleagues whether they can recommend anyone. You never know, they may have dealt with a catering company before.

If you do not have any real recommendations, look for a trade directory. This is where most catering companies advertise. Compare the different advertisements and check to see what sort of reviews they have gained. Call them and get some quotes. Automatically remove any company that cannot stick to your budget.

What about Compromise?

Compromise is something you may have to do. Your initial demands were made based on what you wanted not what you can get. This is why it is wise to be as flexible as possible with the sort of facilities you want and the budget you can spare.

Every catering company has different policies on what it will do and what it will not do. If they cannot meet your needs, either look elsewhere or be willing to make changes to your requirements.

Proper planning is essential to successfully hiring a catering van. By being clear on what you need from the beginning, this process should be as efficient and problem free as possible.

Why Should You Purchase Commercial Kitchen Equipment Over Residential?

Commercial kitchen equipment is different from what you would find inside your kitchen at home. You will usually only find this equipment within a large-scale kitchen. If you were thinking about sticking with residential equipment in order to save money, think again. Commercial equipment is essential to the good running of a large working kitchen. There are a number of differences you have to take into account, though.

We will look at the key reasons why you should always purchase commercial kitchen supplies over their residential counterparts.

The Size Difference

First of all, it is important for us to state the obvious. Commercial equipment is much larger than residential equipment. It enables you to cook more at a faster rate. Think about it. How else could a team of chefs cook for 100 people at the same time?

The volume means you need specific premises in order to install this type of kitchen equipment. The vast majority of residential buildings would not have the capacity to have it installed.

Quality of the Piece

Catering equipment suppliers understand users of commercial equipment will be using it on a regular basis. Let us take a restaurant kitchen as an example.

Each night, you could see a dozen chickens on the grill and a few hundred quarts of soup. This is no easy feat. It is also going to take its toll on the equipment. This is why you will typically find commercial equipment being made from other types of metals, such as heavy-duty iron and stainless steel.

For a commercial grill to work, it has to be able to withstand a flurry of activity night after night. It is also why it tends to be much heavier and much more expensive.

Safety Code

You will notice that there are more safety features on a commercial cooker than on a residential cooker. You have to remember that commercial kitchens have to deal with more safety regulations than the average kitchen. If the business does not do this, they can find themselves paying out thousands in fines; and this is assuming nobody gets hurt and decides to sue.

Safety features on commercial equipment include heat guards and finger protections. Many people forget that commercial kitchens are more active and carry more dangers than a kitchen at home.

Is it Worth the Investment?

A lot of people balk at how much they have to pay to get commercial equipment into their venue. It is understandable. You could easily spend thousands on it. The problem is most commercial venues have no choice. Residential kitchen supplies could not cook for hundreds of people in a single night. They do not have the capacity to do so.

In most cases, the additional safety features have to be implemented by law, and you will only find them on specialist equipment.

Any commercial kitchen supplies that are taken care of will last for years without any problems. Although it will cost a significant amount of money now, it will pay off in the long-term. In conclusion, do not be afraid to invest now for better results later on.

Top Tips for Making Sure You Get the Right Estimate for Your Catered Event

Catering can run into the thousands, depending on your event. It is easy to get carried away. You can also save thousands if you choose the right caterer and there is so much variation in the sort of service you can order.

The right estimate is the estimate you get that fulfils all your needs, whilst keeping the price as low as possible. Let us go through some of the areas you will have to take into consideration when estimating how much you’ll have to pay for caterers and catering equipment.

The Numbers Game

In general, catering equipment suppliers consider the number of guests as the main determining factor for how much someone can expect to pay. It is important to have an idea of how many guests you will have at your event before you get in contact with a professional caterer.

It’s not just for the estimate. A caterer needs to know how many people will attend so they can come up with a plan for how to manage the event.

What about the Type of Service?

The type of service you want will drastically affect your estimate. You need to decide just how much control you want. It is possible to hand everything over to the caterer and make them responsible for the whole event. This will cost you the most money, but it’s also the least stressful option open to you.

Most customers prefer a mix of the two. They prefer to hand over something like food preparation, but handle the cleaning by themselves.

It is not always a case of the more services you opt for the more you pay. Many caterers have special deals on certain services to give you the most value for money possible. For example, they might cut the price of bar equipment in half if you decide to hire a staff member to operate the bar during the event. Always ask for any special promotions caterers have going at the moment.

Contact Multiple Caterers
Understand there are hundreds of catering companies in the UK. This means you are overwhelmed by the choices available to you. Spend the time researching each caterer. Determine which ones seem to offer the best in value for money. You should never go with a company that has an inferior reputation just because they are cheap.

After you have received multiple quotes, weigh up the pros and cons of each catering company to see what works best for you.

Always Read the Fine Print
Never sign an agreement without reading the fine print first. You need to be clear on exactly how far the catering company’s responsibilities extend. The last thing you want is to order a catering company only to discover they cannot do something because that is part of a separate service. Be clear from the beginning on what they are going to be doing for you.

Negotiate

If you do not get the price you want, remember you can heckle with the caterer. Most catering companies will be willing to budge, as long as they still make a reasonably fair profit when everything is said and done.

Super Methods to Increase Efficiency and Quality in Your Working Kitchen

Anyone who works in a commercial kitchen knows how important cooking efficiency and food quality are. Purchasing equipment from commercial kitchen suppliers is only half the battle. The way you cook and the way your kitchen functions can all have a significant effect on the results you get when it is time to serve the food.

In this article, we will outline some of the ways you can increase efficiency and quality in your working kitchen.

Cook Faster with Convection Ovens

One way to cook more efficiently is to use a commercial convection oven. They have the capacity of larger ovens, but they distribute heat in a faster way. Within the oven, a small fan sends heat all over the interior. It reduces the number of cold air bubbles in the food, which cooks the food more thoroughly and reduces the total cooking time.

Better Taste More Precise Settings

There is a reason why the majority of people cannot replicate the same taste they would find in a restaurant. Commercial catering equipment has far more precise settings, which gives chefs more control over their creations. This is why any professional chef must purchase commercial kitchen supplies.

The Small Things

Commercial kitchen equipment is not confined exclusively to large ovens and grills. There are smaller implements that enable chefs to increase the speed at which they can prepare meals.

In a restaurant, the majority of the time is spent preparing ingredients for the actual cooking process. This can involve chopping up carrots and peeling potatoes. In a professional kitchen, it is easier to purchase commercial tin openers and peelers to make the job go faster. This frees up the head chef to take care of the most important job, rather than being forced to stick with the mundane.

Cooking Specialist Foods Consistently

Many specialist foods, such as crepes, can be made in the home. The problem is getting the consistency a professional restaurant would expect. Chefs can use commercial crepe makers to get consistently thin pancakes quickly each time. It means they get consistently good results with every cooking session.

There are so many specialist devices that target certain foods. You can find brulee torches, hot plates, waffle makers, and Panini presses.

Freeing Up the Oven

The oven only has a limited amount of space. Head chefs have to control the flow of food to make sure there is always enough space within the ovens. One way of increasing efficiency and preventing traffic jams is to take jobs you would normally use a stove for and transfer them to specialist tools.

The most common example off this would be boiling a pot of oil. Rather than using the stovetop, the chef would use a commercial deep fat fryer instead. This leaves more stove space for important jobs that cannot be outsourced elsewhere.

Overall, increasing efficiency and quality in the kitchen is all about good management. It is about being able to outsource tasks to more specialist equipment. By leaving yourself with enough space in the oven, you can increase efficiency and prevent any unnecessary waiting around.

What are the Responsibilities of a Professional Caterer?

A professional caterer has to take control of more than just preparing and serving the food. They have to be able to coordinate and create a certain ambience. There is more to commercial catering than turning up with a few meals.

In this article, we are going to reveal the responsibilities a caterer will have whenever they pick up a job. As you will see, commercial caterers need to have the right skills in multiple areas.

Event Coordination

You have to conform to the event you are working at. This means you have to time everything perfectly. When the guests are ready to sit down for their meal, you have to have everything on the table. This will require liaising with the event’s manager to make sure you can get things ready.

You will also need to have the right equipment at the venue. It could include commercial coffee machines or hot plates to keep food warm.

Preparing Food

The food preparation is the responsibility of the catering company. They will need to take the menus from the customer and prepare everything to a tee. As a caterer, it is your job to make sure you do it as efficiently as possible. This means you will need to concentrate on reducing wastage and profit loss.

As part of your food preparation, you will need to come up with a way of storing the food until it arrives at the venue and is ready to serve. Customers want fresh, hot food that iswell presented.

Setting the Venue

Believe it or not, caterers have to do more than setup bakery equipment and deliver food. It is common practice for them to have to get the dining hall ready. They’re responsible for making sure there are enough chairs and tables, as well as making sure all the cutlery, napkins, and other forms of dining paraphernalia is there and ready to use.

Serving the Food

Assuming this is not a buffet dinner, catering companies will provide staff to help serve the food. This requires good coordination to ensure everyone knows what they are doing and what the guests expect. Most catering companies will be forced to have separate teams for each area, which makes good management essential to the event’s success.

Cleaning Everything Up

The majority of customers prefer to pay extra to take advantage of a catering company’s cleaning services. After all the guests have gone home, it’s the job of the caterer to clean up the dining area and leave it in the same condition as it was before.

It will require logistics management to ensure everything is put back in its proper place without any breakages. Any breakages on your part will come out of your own pocket.

Services on Demand

Take note, some customers may decide to take care of different areas by themselves. For example, some catering equipment suppliers will only ask for the equipment. They will choose to supply their staff and send the equipment back again. It is important for catering businesses to offer their clientele as much choice as they possibly can. It is what the general public expects.

Why You Should Hire a Professional Caterer for Your Next Big Event

Whenever someone holds a major event, they have to decide whether they want to do the catering themselves or bring in the professionals. The big discussion is over whether you are truly getting value for money. Nobody wants to employ kitchen suppliers only to discover they’re doing something you could quite easily do yourself for free and without the hassle.

It is always better to hire a professional for an event. As long as you hire the right company for the job, there is no reason why you should not bring in a pro. Here are some of the main benefits of hiring a professional caterer for your event.

Saving Time

Time is everything when preparing for a big event. If something goes wrong, there is usually not enough time to rectify it completely. This is why it is important to gain as much time as you possibly can. Catering is the most time-consuming aspect of the process.

By employing a professional caterer, they will bring their catering equipment and take care of everything for you. Now you can dedicate your time to something more important, instead.

It is Cheaper

Many people falsely believe not hiring a professional caterer is a way to save money. If they don’t do it, you have to. This means you will have to look around for catering supplies UK and search for the staff/volunteers to help you out with it all. You are still going to have to pay a significant amount of money to do the catering yourself, assuming you want to do it properly and without compromise.

In many cases, it is more cost-effective to hand the job over to the experts. The worst you can do is break even.

Getting it Right

As already mentioned earlier in this article, you usually do not have enough time to rectify a major error. Reduce your chances of something going wrong by handing the responsibility over to someone with experience. A professional caterer has done all this before and knows how everything works. You can practically guarantee everything will go smoothly, which means your event will go down a treat.

It is Easier Before and After

Caterers do more than bring your food to the table. They handle everything from the utensils to the chairs and tables. They make sure everyone has a place to sit and that everyone gets to sit where they want the most.

After all this, they will handle the cleaning for you. You get to spend your time enjoying your event, whilst someone else does all the dirty work. Just remember to read the small print to make sure they do take responsibility for the cleaning. In most cases, cleaning and other services are optional.

React Quickly

Perhaps the best trait you can find in a professional caterer is the ability to react to a situation quickly. Unexpected turns can and do happen. With the help of a professional, you will be able to react and adapt. The hand of someone who knows what they are doing can mean the difference between enjoying a night to remember and complete disaster.

Where Can You Buy Catering Equipment for Your Business?

Catering equipment is essential to starting your own catering business or hosting a major event. Whether you are purchasing commercial catering equipment or just looking to show people a good time, it is important you get a good deal. Within this article, you are going to find useful tips on where you should look for catering equipment.

The Restaurant Supply Store

Your first option is to visit a restaurant supply store. This is the place where the majority of people buy new kitchen equipment. The vast majority have a good reputation for quality, which makes it an ideal place for the first-time buyer to begin.

Suppliers of catering equipment do have different policies on who they sell to. Some of them will only supply established businesses. You would have to prove which company you come from to shop here. Others are open to the public. It is best to call ahead to make sure you are not wasting your time.

Most of these stores sell new equipment, but you can find ones that sell second-hand equipment, as well.

It is best to go online to see if you can compare prices first. Many of them have online catalogues you can browse without having to visit their depots. This will save you both time and stress.

Go to the Auction Sites and the Classified Ads

You do not have to buy directly from the experts. There is the option of visiting an online auction website like eBay for your catering needs. Catering equipment suppliers will sometimes sell bundles of supplies they want to get rid of quickly on here.

Classified ads also provide the same service. Craig’s List is by far the most popular site for this, but Gumtree continues to be a popular place to buy and sell.

The same rules apply when deciding whom to buy from. Make sure they have a good reputation and do not part with any money until you can see they are legitimate. They must show you the equipment first;otherwise,you are taking an enormous risk. Many of these sites cannot do anything if the person takes the money and runs.

Occasionally, you will find auctions happening in the real world. Defunct businesses may be selling off their old equipment. In the event you hear about one of these auctions, it is always worth visiting to see if you can snag something on the cheap.

What about Renting?

You do have the option of renting. For events, this is ideal because you do not have to bear the costs of storage and purchasing the items in the first place. Renting is also a good idea if you also need to employ trained staff to operate the equipment.

It is easy to find a list of caterers who rent supplies online. A simple Google search will bring up a list of the individuals and businesses in your area that are renting equipment.

Again, make sure they have a reputation for reliability and quality. You do not want to hand your money over to a business that will not do its best by you. Always inspect the small print prior to signing any form of agreement.

What are the Three Main Areas of Catering Equipment at a Wedding ?

Weddings are always hectic occasions. For the happy couple, they have to go through all the trouble of catering. They have to determine the menus, what their guests are going to expect, and how to execute the plan from start to finish. Whether you need bakery equipment or bar equipment, you are going to have to negotiate the three mains stages of wedding catering.

In this article, we are going to go through each aspect of it, so you know exactly what you can anticipate.

The Staging

Catering does not begin with the moment someone puts a fork into his or her mouths. It starts with the moment the guests see the dining area. This is the staging area and it sets the tone for the entire event.

Your caterers will need to decide on what tables and chairs work best. It is not just in the décor. It can be a logistical nightmare if they do not have fixed numbers on the number of adults and children who will be attending.

It is your job to take into account both the décor of the venue and the sort of message you want to transmit to your guests. Are you looking for something overly casual or fashionably elegant? You have to decide on all this before you even get to the food!

The Serving

How are you going to serve the food?

It sounds like an obvious question, but this can be a tricky area to negotiate. The first question will be whether you are going to be employing servers or whether this is going to be a buffet dinner. If you do employ servers, you are going to have to direct them in their duties, which add a completely new dimension of complexity.

You also have to take into account aspects like the napkins, the plates, and the glasses. As well as catering for the adults, you will need to decide on a separate serving arrangement for the kids. This could involve swapping glass for plastic and removing many of the fancier serving details you would encounter at the adult’s table.

The Food

You should have already come to a decision on the food before the event. If you have, you need to have the catering equipment in place to maintain this food. Remember, hot food is often cooked long before it is actually on the table ready to eat. In this case, you would need to have warming equipment to stop it from going cold. The same principle applies for cold desserts and drinks.

How Much Are You Responsible For?

It depends entirely on your arrangement with the catering company. You may be lucky enough to have a catering manager who can handle all the catering for you and you only have to turn up. If you are deciding to take it on yourself, you will have to plan each stage of the catering process well in advance.

Overall, catering can be broken down into three individual stages. This makes the process more manageable and enables you to see exactly what part of the process you are at.

The Ultimate Guide to Hiring Commercial Catering Equipment

Hiring commercial catering equipment is not an easy task for anyone to take on. You need to get it right the first time or it could mean wasting a huge chunk of money. It requires careful planning and a full understanding of what you actually need. This is what you will learn by reading through this short guide.

The Menu Strategy

Your menu strategy encompasses aspects of the process like plating. You have to consider things like whether plating a fancy salmon platter with the most expensive plates you can find is really worth the risk. Remember, you will be responsible for any breakages that happen on your watch.

The menu strategy largely depends on what food you intend on serving, as well. You need to write down your menu from the beginning. Determine what you will need to make and how many alternative options you will be having. Do not make the mistake of hiring a series of commercial kitchen equipment first.

The Capacity

How many people are likely to be in the premises at the same time?

Consider the worst-case scenario not the best-case scenario. Look to the extremes. You must be able to cope with full capacity and the lowest capacity. Of course, it is likely the actual attendance will fall somewhere in the middle, but it is important to be prepared.

This is quite easy if you stipulate the number of people who will be coming before you begin the hiring process.

Added Extras

Standard kitchen equipment is relatively easy to hire. You also need to decide whether you will be having any added extras. Some venues decide to hire commercial coffee machines to offer an additional choice. Are you willing to do this?

The Company

Once you have decided what you need to hire, you need to decide on whom you will hire it from. Look online for some recommendations for companies that serve your local area. First of all, visit their websites to see if they suit your needs. Once you have a list of caterers who have everything you need, interview them.

Some of them will serve things like plates and cups in a variety of different styles. Determine whether these will suit the décor of your venue. You also need to consider whether their service packages are flexible. Think about whether they will be able to react in the right way should something change later on.

Make sure you have a list of your requirements when going into an interview. A reputable company will ask to see these so they can judge whether they will be able to fulfil them. They will tell you honestly if you would be better off looking elsewhere.

Always read the agreement and check the small print. You need to be clear on when the equipment needs to be returned and what you are responsible for. The last thing you want is to be stung by any unexpected expenses at the end of it all. These can easily add hundreds of pounds to the cost of your overall bill.

How Should You Go about Setting up Children's Catering at a Wedding?

Catering for children is always a tricky subject to tackle at a wedding. The problem is many catering equipment suppliers do not have the facilities to support children. It leaves the couple paying for an adult plate for every child. When paying for catering supplies UK, it can mean paying more than you expected. Some couples request children are left alone, as a result. This is not an ideal scenario to be in.

If you are worried about how you're going to resolve the catering situation at a wedding, here are some useful tips.

Start with an Interview

Catering equipment UK is not always supplied to the same specifications. Do not expect every caterer to have the capacity to deal with children. Furthermore, many will not have any experience in dealing with children.

Always interview a selection of catering companies before settling on your decision. They should have a strong track record and references to show their good work. At the same time, do not put all your efforts into finding a good caterer for children. You still need to have great catering for adults, as well!

What Will You Serve?

The menu for children can be trickier than the one for adults. Most adults will grin and bear a meal they do not feel particularly enthused about. With children, the exact opposite happens. If you are not giving them their favourite foods, you are going to hear about it from them.

Always opt for the safe option of fast food. Things like burgers and pizzas are ideal. You do not have to worry about having anything overly formal because the kids will usually have separate places to eat, anyway.

If you want to save money, you could even get a caterer to go out to get a takeaway. This has worked in the past. A caterer recommended going out to a local McDonald's for the kids. It might not be the sort of wedding etiquette you would usually expect, but it keeps the kids quiet!

What about the Server?
One area of catering couples often forget is the server. It isill advised to have especially young children serving themselves – plus this is bad manners and you want to make the right impression. Instead, you need to decide whether you want your catering company to supply a server or have a parent step in to serve the kids.

The latter option is cheaper, but you need to ensure you have someone who is willing to do this. Do not just force this upon someone.

Prepare a Budget

You have seen the options in this article. What you need to decide on before making any of these decisions is the budget. Write down what you can spare for catering and see what fits in. With catering, you can run into so many unexpected expenses.

A good caterer will ask to see your budget and come up with a plan to help you best fulfil your needs. Take note, it could mean you have to make sacrifices, but preparing earlier will take away the stress of getting the catering just right.

Hiring Commercial Kitchen Equipment - What to Look for in the Fine Print

Whenever you decide to hire kitchen equipment for your next event, you have to make sure you choose the right company. Choose the wrong one and you could find yourself getting the service you do not deserve. The devil is always in the detail. Make sure you read the fine print before you commit yourself to any agreement.

This short article is designed to show you what you need to be looking at when you hire kitchen supplies from a third party.

The Agreement

Whenever you decide to commit to a service package, you will be presented with a large stack of papers filled with what you can and cannot do. Too many people make the mistake of not reading it through. When the time comes to actually return the items, they find they have breached the agreement and have to pay a fixed penalty.

Always take the time to read it through and, if you do not understand it, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.

The Return Date

It sounds patronising, but always check the return date for the equipment. You’d be surprised at how many people fail to keep track of this date and subsequently fail to bring the equipment back. This is a serious offense and can lead to hundreds of pounds in fines. What you have to remember is the catering company may well have already hired the same equipment out to someone else soon after this return date.

This is why they are so strict when it comes to when you need to bring everything back.

What about Cleaning?

Depending on the catering company, you could be responsible for cleaning the equipment up before you bring it back. You may or may not have the option of paying a small fee to have the equipment professionally cleaned by the supplier. If this is your responsibility, though, there will be a long section on the condition they expect the supplies to be in when they get it back.

The Food

If you are using specialist equipment, there is a good chance there are certain foods and substances you are not allowed to put in them. Although most of this section will be nothing more than common sense, it’s wise to spend time reading it anyway. You do not want to accidentally break the equipment;otherwise,you will be the one having to cover the repair costs.

Additional Services
Most kitchen suppliers also offer other services. They may provide you with trained staff to help you operate the equipment. In this case, you must also read sections on staffing and their responsibilities. Although the employees of the supplier are operating on behalf of the company, you are responsible for their management. Make sure you check what they can and cannot do, as well as the responsibilities they have to take on.

Overall, it can take time to read the boring small print, but it will only benefit you in the long run. If you have your own staff, make sure they understand this agreement before they get to work.