There's a lot of careful planning behind putting together the perfect menu for your business. Chafers- You can't just add a lot of items you think are popular because they won't blend well in a meal selection. You need to consider things like your comfort and skill level along with controlling food costs, cook time, hold time, transport and more. Here are some tips to help you build out your menu for your catering business.
Restaurant Catering Equipment - Get the Concept Down - One of the most common mistakes that caterers make is trying to be too diverse and offer too much with a menu. Not only does it make it hard for the customer to choose what they want to serve but it doesn't give you an edge in your market. Focus your offering and stick to things you make really well. If you're great at American cuisine then don't add sushi rolls.
Know Your Resources - Everything you do in your catering business revolves around the resources you have at the ready. This includes the equipment you use on a regular basis as well your own experience and the knowledge of your staff. When you're constructing your menu, you need to build it out with items you're comfortable making and you can produce with consistent results using the resources you already have.
Transporting - It's rare that you'll be able to cook all of your food onsite. Most caterers prefer to prep food ahead of time. It's easier, it saves time and labor and makes things run more smoothly.
Catering Supplies -
To make this work for you, construct your menu out of items that hold
and transport well so they can be prepped ahead of time. This includes
things like soups, braised foods, room temperature dishes or chilled
foods.
The Food Cost Shuffle - You need to plan your menu in a way that it includes a variety of audiences and buyer
personas. Chafers- You might have some expensive meals for more formal dinners but not everyone wants to purc
hase that menu item. High prices can scare clients away so have some menu items that are budget friendly for your clients.
Variety is Important - Remember that everyone has a different taste when it comes to food. Tradition, culture, religion, personal preference and more all play a part in how food is perceived and eaten. Add variety to your menu to appeal to the different cultural interests and walks of life. This can ensure that you have a larger selection more likely to cater to your clients needs
Seasonal and Holiday Dishes - Food is a lot like the fashion industry, which changes every season with new lines of clothing. You need to adjust your menu at the change of the season to incorporate changes in taste and preference, particular around the holidays. A good example would be hot soups and warm dishes during the winter months.
Should You Customize?
Once you've set up your menu for the season, you'll ultimately need to decide if you'll allow clients to further customize and request changes to the meals you have listed. It's a smart choice to a certain degree, but you'll need to set limitations. A few changes are simple, such as an ingredient or two. Larger changes can force a retrain in your staff and increase the cost of the event.
Restaurant Catering Equipment - Your catering supplies and the equipment you use are just as important to your brand as your staff and your service. If you're looking for the best in restaurant catering equipment then turn to CateringEquipment.com Wehave everything you need to breathe life into your business, from chafers to high quality serving trays.