Catering is the service that is based on the preparation and distribution of drinks and food at an event.
The concept of catering is part of the English language but, in any case, it is also accepted by the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ). Catering is the service that consists of preparing and/or serving drinks and food at an event, a public place or a means of transportation .
For example: “We have not yet defined where we will hire the wedding catering,” “The State pays hundreds of thousands of pesos monthly for catering for the employees of the various government agencies,” “The Literature Congress will offer catering to everyone.” the assistants.”
Catering consists of a food service intended for a more or less large group of people. Whoever offers the catering serves a certain type and quantity of food already stipulated: that is, unlike a restaurant, each individual cannot choose the dish or menu they want.
Types of catering
In addition to all of the above, we can point out that there are various types of catering. Specifically, these are the most significant:
– Home catering , which is identified by the fact that it delivers the requested food to the client in their own home.
– Mobile catering . This responds to its name because it is developed by having a mobile unit that is the one that moves from one place to another in order to offer the services it provides in the places where they are requested. A unit in which there will be all the established resources and in which the group of employees who shape it will perform their functions.
Sandwiches are usually part of catering.
– Catering for special events .
– Catering for companies , which is focused on carrying out meals for professional meetings, conventions, events, presentations…
– School catering , which is specialized in the dining rooms of daycare centers, schools, institutes or universities, for example.
Some examples
At a birthday party , for example, the catering may consist of sandwiches as an appetizer, pizza as a main course , and ice cream as a dessert. In some cases the food is brought to the table by waiters, while in others it is placed on a large table and people must come and serve themselves.
The presentation or launch events of a show or an artistic work; congresses, meetings, conferences or fairs linked to the business field; and the openings of artistic exhibitions usually have catering. It is a treat for all those who come to participate in the activity in question.
How to select a catering
When selecting a catering it is important to take into account the following aspects:
– It must be specialized in the type of event or appointment for which it is needed.
– You must have experience and your professionalism, commitment and seriousness must be proven.
– No less relevant is that it must offer a menu that is made with the highest quality raw materials and even seasonal products.
– It must also be established that we must also opt for a catering that offers alternative dishes for people who have food allergies or intolerances.