5 Insider Tips for Corporate Managers

As a busy corporate office manager engaged in party and event hosting on a regular basis, you probably know how desirable it is to find just one good caterer and stick with them. You’re probably also aware of how difficult this can be. To help you out, here are five priorities to keep in mind when looking for the right London catering company.

Don’t be afraid to ask for testimonials and case studies. In fact, the best catering companies will be glad you did. Also scour the web, typing catering companies name, for reviews to get a feel for who you’re dealing with.

In the catering business, word of mouth is the only publicity that matters and, as a general rule, we’re only as good as our last client says. Remember any catering company worth their salt will never let their reputation slide, so always look out for the kind of upwardly mobile catering London demands.

Of course, a stellar reputation is one thing but if a caterer hasn’t handled the kind of event you’re planning then they might not be the best fit. Pay particular attention to whether a caterer has any special areas of culinary or event catering focus and whether these pose any specific limitations.

Ideally (at least for a long-term professional relationship) you’ll want to find a versatile company capable of handling a range of different events – from corporate parties and canapés to seated three-course meals.

You should also take some time to check out their menus and get a feel for their variety. Do they have a good range of flavours, cuisines, hot and cold dishes? Are seasonal ingredients and the freshest food important to them? Do they have an interesting selection of vegetarian options? Is there ample scope for customisation?

For corporate catering settings, it’s especially important to ensure provisions are made for special dietary requirements. Ask caterers whether they provide kosher food – and halal food – compliant menu options, for instance, and whether they offer gluten-free alternatives.

Talking of dietary requirements, you’ll want to make sure your caterer knows their stuff when it comes to food allergy guidelines. More than 15% of us have some kind of food allergy or intolerance, so it’s crucial to do your research and ask the right questions.

Do they chop nuts and salads on separate boards, for example? Are they familiar with all points of their supply chain? FSA certification is another good way to check that your caterer’s credentials are in order.

Finally, your ideal long-term caterer won’t just supply the food, but everything you need for a successful event. Ask about this when getting a quote. The last thing you want to deal with while arranging a daily fork buffet for hundreds of employees is a list of separate suppliers for food, equipment hire, waiting staff, tableware and cleaning. Not only will full service delivery catering companies like All in Hand Catering work closely with you to cater for all your specific requirements, but we’ll also handle deliveries, set up, clear up, and arrange for courier collection to have everything delivered back to us.

These are five of the most important considerations for management looking for long-term caterers, but finding the right rapport also goes a long way to ensuring long-term success. Think of a friendly, personable service as the icing on the cake that makes for excellent catering in London.