When you are in the catering business you deal with numerous responsibilities. From preparing dishes to serving them properly at the table, you and your employees make all the efforts to ensure the event runs smoothly. However, with one wrong step, you can ruin the event as well as the attendees’ mood. Even a small mistake can cost you, so you have to be very extra careful about every minute detail. Here is a list of what you should do and what you shouldn’t.
Do these:
1. Introduce your best dish to your clients
Granted that caterers are famous for their culinary expertise, you would have a signature dish. Whether it’s a dessert, a traditional meal or any continental dish, don’t fear to show what you are good at. Your signature dish can be you USP. If you establish your company’s name based on your signature dish or style, you will attract more clients.
2. Have a catering website
In the era of information technology, people are constantly using the internet to search for good restaurants, shops, services etc. You should also seize this opportunity and create a website for catering business. Having a website gives an identity to your catering company. Not only will you attract potential clients but you don’t need to spend all your money on commercial advertisement. A website can do that. Including a catering menu, photos of event catering, list of food and services, etc will let your potential clients know more about your service.
3. Be honest about pricing
When a customer approaches you, be as open as possible. Understand the market value of the food and services and before discussing it with the customers. Neither charge more than the market value nor charge less. The pricing should be kept in order so that it benefits both you and your customer. Being fair to customers in terms of prices can even increase your reputation.
Don’t do these:
1. Don’t fear criticism
Just because someone didn’t like a particular dish or the serving style doesn’t mean you are not good at it. Some like it to be spicier, some prefer more salt – you can’t please everyone. What you can do is keep doing your work diligently and take these mean comments with a pinch of salt. Most successful cooks don’t take criticism seriously because they know what they are and how they cook. If you are a new chef or cook in the catering industry it’s going to sting when people share their displeasure with certain food you cooked. Listen to their advice and act accordingly. If your hirer tells you to make some adjustments, do that. Always ask questions like how much salt they want in their food, do they prefer spicy or not, etc.
2. Don’t stress
Do you know that being over-anxious can ruin your work? It’s also true that some people can work excellently under pressure, but that doesn’t mean you can do it too. It is important to relax when you are working. Being stressful can also affect how your clients perceive you. They might think that you are not confident about your work and hence they would doubt your abilities and start stressing out as well. If you feel stressed, stop doing what you are doing and focus your attention on something else. For example, if you stress out about how your meal will turn out, do some light work like washing plates, making grocery lists, etc. Shifting your mind to lighter works will help you relax without hindering your productivity.
3. Don’t forget to ask questions
Just as a customer has the right to ask questions regarding a company’s services, a company also has the right to do the same. If it’s your first order, don’t fear asking too many questions. Your client will always answer any doubts or questions you have in your mind regarding the order. This will show that you are taking their order seriously and are completely immersed in it.
These are some catering dos and don’ts that should help you with your catering service. Always keep your customers suggestions, advice and recommendation in mind. After your contract ends with a customer, don’t forget to ask them about their dining experiences using your food catering service.
