[TIPS] Catering Definition [EN]

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Catering
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A professionally catered eventCatering is the business of providing food service at a remote site.

Mobile catering
Main article: Mobile catering
A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle or cart that is designed for the purpose. Mobile catering is common at outdoor events (such as concerts), workplaces, and downtown business districts.

Event catering
Event catering ranges from box-lunch drop-off to full-service catering. When most people refer to a "caterer", they are referring to an event caterer who serves food with waiting staff at dining tables or sets up a self-serve buffet. The food may be prepared on site, i.e., made completely at the event, or the caterer may choose to bring prepared food and put the finishing touches on once it arrives. The event caterer staff are not responsible for preparing the food but often help set up the dining area. This service is typically provided at banquets, conventions, and weddings. Any event where all who attend are provided with food and drinks or sometimes only hors d'oeuvres is often called a catered event.

A catering company or specialist is expected to know not just how to prepare food but also how to make it attractive. Many events require working with an entire theme or color scheme. Catering companies have moved toward full-service, taking charge of not only food preparation but also decorations, such as table settings or lighting. It's not that food is no longer a focal point, but rather that it is part of a broader mission. Many suggest that catering is about satisfying all the senses. Caterers and their staff should be friendly and coorperative because, after all, they are in the food service industry and should follow the motto "the customer is always right". Catering is often sold on a per-person basis, meaning that there is a flat price for each additional person. However, things like lighting and fire permits are not scaled with the guest count, so per-person pricing is not always appropriate. It is necessary to keep the cost of the food and supplies below this retail price in order to make a profit on the catering. With the correct atmosphere, professional event caterers' experience can ensure satisfaction of all the senses and make an event special and memorable. Of course, beautifully prepared food alone can appeal to the senses of taste, smell, and sight - perhaps even touch, but the decorations and ambience should play a significant part in the clients' enjoyment as well.

Industrial catering
Industrial catering includes providing food for airline passengers, schools, prisons and other institutional settings. It can include contract management of client foodservice facilities. See Catering (airline).

Airline catering
Airlines often have divisions or hire third parties to provide food for passengers.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catering