An Insider’s Update on Outdoor Catering

Discover the latest ideas in outdoor catering strategies to meet demand.

Great news for caterers! With the popularity of cafes, casual restaurants, and outdoor dining on the rise, there could not be a better time to be in the foodservice business. Whether you already work in the industry, are embarking on a new career as a professional caterer, or whether you want to expand your restaurant operation by going mobile, now is the time to be in-the-know and learn how you can capitalize on the opportunities to seize the market.

The Proliferation of Catering Venues

If you are looking for a lucrative opportunity in the competitive food-and-beverage space, this is it! Over the past few years, the range of events being catered has exploded, including adult and children’s birthday parties, sweet 16 celebrations, corporate catering, sporting events, art exhibits, music festivals, street food events, beach parties, and more. Moreover, in addition to craving new culinary experiences, consumers are hungry for unusual locations that stand out from the crowd, leave an indelible memory, and that are Instagrammable to boot. While terraces, patios, gardens, and parks remain popular outdoor catering picks, some of the new kids on the block include the likes of famous art museums, landmark historical buildings, private yachts, and even the zoo!

Catering Headline News

To give you a taste for what’s been cooking on the grand-scale, elite side of catering, check out the following headline news items. Then sink your teeth into some more practical, down-to-earth tools and strategies that you can use to promote your small business or local catering company.

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Modernizing Your Restaurant’s Look with a Fresher Décor

Updating Your Restaurant’s Décor to Stay Current

How to Update an Out-of-Date Restaurant

In this era of online restaurant reviews, you may be amazed at some of the criteria by which your restaurant is judged. You would expect comments about food and service; even criticism regarding noise levels probably wouldn’t surprise you. But did you know that a restaurant’s outdated décor can negatively affect a diner’s experience? In this day and age, all the senses must be satisfied at a restaurant. A Cornell University study found that ratings for food, décor, and service are all associated with a restaurant’s top-40 rating on Zagat’s listings, and it takes a combination of all three to land a restaurant in the top 40. Therefore, for the price of a good meal, today’s discerning restaurant-goer wants top-notch service, fantastic food, and an environment that has not been left back in the last century.

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How the Right Wine Glass Can Enhance Your Wine Tasting Experience

How to Choose the Right Wine Glass – and Does it Matter

Do Proper Wine Glasses Really Matter

Most wine aficionados will tell you that the glassware we drink our wine from is almost as important as the wine we put into it. The wine glass you use – its shape, material and size, – will have a considerable impact on your wine-drinking experience. So if you are the average wine drinker looking to stock your liquor cabinet with wine glasses for the reds, whites, and bubblies that you drink regularly, you will want a supply of glasses to fit those types of wines. . So, let’s explore how choosing the right wine glass can enhance your wine-drinking experience.

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Choose Disposable Dinnerware at Your Wedding without Sacrificing Elegance

Disposable Dinnerware for Your Wedding: A Timely Choice

Disposable Dinner: A Viable Option for a Wedding?

The price of weddings and other festive events have been spiraling out of control lately, and many believe it’s time to scale back, in terms of food, décor, and accessories. A budget is not illegal, especially when you consider that the less you pay for the wedding, the more you’ll have for your nest egg. In addition, rare is the guest who will have less of a good time if there is one less type of sushi at the smorgasbord, roses instead of orchids in the centerpieces, or chicken instead of beef as an entrée. So, as we head into a more frugal era of wedding planning, the up-and-coming trend is disposable dinnerware. Before you bolt, understand that we’re not talking about the flimsy paper plates you’re used to seeing at picnics and barbecues; rather, we’re referring to gorgeous china-like disposables that will save you tons on rentals and will make a beautiful impression on your guests at the same time.

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Spend Less on Centerpieces and Get Fabulous Results

Eye-Catching Centerpieces Can Be Created on a BudgetWhen planning parties big or small, formal or casual, very often the décor or theme can make all the difference. An experienced caterer can throw a party in the starkest of venues – rec halls or church basements – and he or she can transform it by using colorful accessories and little unexpected touches. Color combinations can create a mood and set a tone, but perhaps the most important factor in turning an ordinary table into something special is the centerpiece, that all-important design element that can change the look and feel of a venue in an instant. Don’t underestimate the power of the centerpiece – words to live by. Continue reading Spend Less on Centerpieces and Get Fabulous Results