Crave Catering: Articles

Caterers - six things you should know before choosing a caterer

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Caterers can vary greatly on what they claim to offer, what that they actually offer and for what price. So choosing a caterer is sometimes confusing. In fact, there are a lot of important items that must be considered to make your event successful. If this is the first time you have ever thought of hiring a caterer, you have to be aware that the process can be overwhelming as it is more than the food your catering service will hire. It’s all about the entire style, feel, and mood of the event your caterer will accomplish.

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Here are some things to consider when choosing a caterer:

o Budget – Each event has a set budget and the catering service will always take a large portion of it. It is very important to know what you want, what you can spend, and where to go from there. As you start your research, it is important to know what exactly are included in your catering service. Knowing what you can or willing to spend and what the catering service provides are the best place to start.

o Reputation – This is a very important thing to consider when you are choosing a catering service. You can search the Internet for reviews and you can also ask the catering services you are considering for a list of references. Remember, you are not only after the food; you should also consider the overall outcome of the event.

o Overall Coordination of the Event – You want to know how exactly the catering service will coordinate with the overall event as the catering and the food will usually set the tone. Consider things such as the facility and entertainment and flower coordination. It is very important that your catering service knows all the aspects of your event and is willing to incorporate those aspects in their plans.

o Surprises – A really good catering service can handle pressure especially in terms of surprises; whether you have a guest with an allergy and needs something special the very last minute or many surprise guests coming at your event. A good catering service will get through surprised and unplanned circumstances without worry and smoothly.

o Personality – It isn’t so nice to work with a catering service you can’t deal with comfortably. Make sure that you can get along well with the people running the catering service.

o Food – Everything may be good but if the food isn’t, then everything could easily be ruined. Of course, the food in your event should be wonderful! Make sure you can have a sample taste of many different options and choices.

The best thing of all is that your catering service must be willing to discuss with you about all your queries and give you answers even with your hardest questions. They should not only think of preparing good food, they should aim to make your entire event fantastic, memorable, and special! At Crave Catering, our philosophy is that we work for you and will do what we can to ensure your needs and the issues mentioned above are always met.

David Kahan

Crave Catering Melbourne

Source: Caterers - six things you should know before choosing a caterer

Catering History

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Catering history is not a topic which many people know about and is surprisingly fascinating. Fine cooking trades dates back in the 4th millennium BC, it all started in China but the culture of grand eating and drinking was already important during the prosperous years in old Egypt. However, the catering trade only emerged from the commonly practiced hospitality, which was always free, when the first real hostels and inns were built in ancient Greece. Read on for a brief overview of catering history!

The development in ancient Greece continued in the Roman Empire. At first, the accommodations for Roman soldiers were found along the military roads and trading routes, which were eventually opened to all travelers. During the Middle Ages in Europe, the first signs of the rebirth of the catering trade were seen in monasteries which covered mainly the needs of the many Christian pilgrims going to Rome. Caravan series served the same purpose in the Orient and started there around 600 AD. During Charlemagne’s time, the catering trade developed and spread throughout the entire Europe because transport and trade required secure accommodation.

The catering trade had been greatly influenced by the church in the later part of the Middle Ages. Additionally, the newly established bourgeoisies, the flourishing trade, the natural economy being replaced with money, and the intensification of transport all contributed to the popularity of catering industry.

The catering industry was widely spread in Germany from 14th to 15th century and this had drawn the attention of legislators. The first “beer inspection” licenses were paid by the Augsburg Elector in 1530. It was also in the same year that the “Reformation gutter Polizey” law was enacted and this replaced many regional regulations. After the law was enacted, different rules for hostels and inns were issued and this led to the regulation of the serving of drinks, beer mugs sizes, and the quality and purity of beer, even the quantity and kind of dishes were brought up in the "Zehrordnung" regulation. As time passed by, guild hostels and houses developed. The term "Seefahrts- und Schifferhäuser" was first heard in the seaside towns during the Hanse era. As another area of expertise, post guesthouses and rathskeller restaurants emerged, and until now, they can still be found as establishments termed as "Gasthof zur Post" or "Ratskeller". The improvement of transport, technical innovations, population increase, and sudden rise in the trade of travel and tourism gave gastronomy a quick shift which made it a very important factor for national economy.

Today companies like Crave Catering Melbourne offer a range of culinary options which have a proud history of tradition, tweaked and prodded to manifest current trends. All that can be said is; “enjoy your food with the knowledge that it has developed over time”.

David J Kahan

Crave Catering Melbourne

Source: Catering History

Wedding Catering – four ways to slash your costs

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Wedding catering does not have to be as expensive as you think it might, by following a few simple rules you can reduce costs without having to reduce quality. If it is presented with style and flair, everything could be as memorable as that of a luxurious wedding catering service. As a rule of thumb, you can save more on buffets than sit-downs since your catering service would require lesser staff. To know more on how to save on wedding catering service, read on!

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1. Salad Luncheon and Reception

If you plan to hold your wedding in the late morning, it is a nice and cheap idea to provide a fabulous salad luncheon. It is a lot cheaper than providing a sit-down meal. The great thing about this idea is that you can offer varieties of salad dishes with salad dressings, breads, and fruits.

2. Party/Deli Trays Reception - Hors d'oeuvres Reception

This special wedding event is best held between 11 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon or after a wedding held in the evening. You should provide light finger foods such as vegetable and fruit platters, crackers, and chips and dips. You may also provide more important foods such as cheese trays, meat, shrimp cocktails, oysters, egg rolls, and chicken wings and other canapés.

3. Dessert Party or Decadent Dessert Reception

This is appropriately held between 1 and 4 in the afternoon and after a wedding held in the evening. You should serve an extensive variety of sweet and rich desserts and beverages like tea and coffee. At Crave Catering a list of sweet canapés also provides a decadent array of choices.

4. Cake and Punch Reception

As long as your wedding reception is during the meal time, it is okay to serve cake for your guests. You can have either a simple or sophisticated cake and punch reception. Your wedding should be planned in the mid morning, in the afternoon, or even after a wedding held in the evening. You should also keep in mind to inform all your guests prior to the wedding that they won’t have the benefits of a full meal.

There are many other ideas available for you to save on wedding catering service. Just do your research or contact a professional like the staff at Crave Catering who will run you through all your requirements, budgets and style of wedding reception.

Written By: David Kahan

Crave Catering Melbourne

Source: Wedding Catering – four ways to slash your costs

Corporate Event Catering and Planning Tips

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Corporate event catering can be a daunting task, especially considering the caliber of person attending. Corporate event catering has to accommodate for high profile men and women dressed in suits and expecting the best.

Corporate event catering is no different from any kind of catering in that you have to prioritize the quality of the food more than anything else. More often, the potential and possible success of any event or party is determined and set by the type and quality of food. Ease the burden by hiring a catering service. When you choose to hire a catering service for your corporate event, you get the opportunity to focus and plan more on the other details. The number one rule in relation to the food is “ensure it won’t spill out and potentially ruin a suit”.

Before choosing a catering service to hire, consider first the other factors of your event, particularly the mood. Are you planning to follow a theme? Do you plan it to be elegant or casual? Do you want your catering service to help you with your venue? An excellent catering service has all the means to provide you with all the amenities you need for your corporate event. These include chairs, tables, and marquee’s to really make your function as memorable, successful, and special as possible.

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Consider the points below when planning a corporate event:

What is your intention for the event? Do you want to introduce a new product and/or service? Perhaps, it is intended to thank your vendors and clients.
Prepare a guest list and set the date and time. In most cases, a corporate event lasts for 2.5 to 3 hours.
Design the invitation card and don’t forget to request for an RSVP.
If you plan to serve alcohol, it’s better to hire a bartender. However, you have to make sure that your bartender has an RSA certificate. Your caterer can assist in this area as well.
Plan your menu options carefully and discuss them carefully with the catering service you plan to hire. Do not forget the special dietary needs of some of your guests.
Ensure the food is easy to eat and avoid the possibility of items that may be messy and ruin suits.

Plan ahead, focus on your intentions, relax, and enjoy your guests’ company! Remember you are portraying a professional demeanor that is reflected in all aspects of your preparation.

Source: Corporate Event Catering and Planning Tips

Catering Company Systems for a Smooth Event

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Catering company’s, like any business, needs systems to run professionally. A system may be as simple as a word document informing staff on the correct way to pour a coffee or where to place the cups. Staff need a source of information to refer to in order to maintain consistency within the organisation and to have a clear understanding of their respective roles. A catering company requires complex project management involving many systems but some of the same systems can be utilized from job to job, depending on how versatile the catering company is.

The key purpose of a system of any sort is ensuring the owner/operator can focus on the more important task of running and growing the business. As Michael Gerber, author of The E-Myth so aptly imbedded in the corporate psyche; our need to work on the business as opposed to in it. This is a primary and indelible task of any business owner.

This philosophy is paramount in ensuring the success of any catering company. It is all too easy to become so engrossed in the day-to-day operations of the business that the bigger picture is often forgotten and sales are affected needlessly. There exists a direct correlation between the work done on the business, i.e. marketing, planning, selling and the amount of income to the business. It is virtually impossible to have a decline in sales if effective marketing ensues, even in a competitive environment like catering in Melbourne.

A simple plan documenting the important daily operations in all aspects of the business will facilitate a much improved operational structure within the business. This will require a large amount of work initially but once documented, the only effort involved is review and tweaking where necessary. Of course, an action plan without any action is useless, so another imperative task is ensuring the right people read, understand and utilise the documentation in order for it to work.

Systems can manifest in many forms but keeping it simple is the key to success especially in a small to medium size catering company. From the kitchen to the office to the delivery, each area needs a structured set of rules and instructions for staff to be able to efficiently and effectively fulfill their roles with the resultant benefit to the business itself.

Source: Catering Company Systems for a Smooth Event

Corporate Catering – Melbourne company Crave Catering tips for success

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Corporate catering planning arrangements are usually placed on the PA or secretary or similar person and are usually on behalf of the boss or superior within the organisation. Corporate catering is meant to impress, be professional and fall within budgetary constraints. If the task of corporate catering falls on you, here are some tips to a successful result.

Plan ahead. Ensure you have all your requirements at hand. Nothing is more frustrating than receiving calls from under-prepared clients. Style, number of people attending, demographic of attendees, time of the event, duration of the event, location, facilities, food and or beverage requirements and last but not least, budget. Each area is discussed below.

Style: Is the event formal or casual? What is the desired outcome? Who are you trying to impress?

Number of people: Often referred to as ‘pax’, the number of people attending the event is of paramount importance in planning both seating arrangements and catering alike. Have an idea before calling around.

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Demographic: Understanding who your guests are will allow for appropriate corporate catering requirements to satisfy a range of tastes and styles. Are the guests mainly men, therefore requiring more substantial food items? Or are they likely to be a greater female demographic who usually prefer smaller, daintier food items? Possibly the attendees are form a particular cultural or religious sect and more thought and panning is required not to offend. These are all important issues to a positive outcome.

Time and Duration: Have a clear understanding of when the event will start, have breaks and finish and the appropriate catering requirements for each interval. Both food and beverage components need thought and attention to satisfy each delegate to the event.

Location and Facilities: Where the function is held has many implications for the caterer. Access, operations and bump out are all of paramount importance. Is there a lift, a goods lift or just stairs? Does the venue have a kitchen or an area for a kitchen to be setup? Does the caterer need to set a kitchen space themselves? What other facilities does the venue have including, water and power access and usage, rubbish receptacles, recycling bins and cleaners?

Food and Beverage Requirements: Obviously the most important factor for the caterer, this can be a wide area of discussion. Understanding the demographics, duration and all the above indicators will assist both you and the caterer in determining the desired menu and beverage package. There are a huge variety of options that your caterer will be more than happy to discuss.

Budget: From a caterers perspective, if a client has a clear budget to work towards, it makes the process a lot easier in terms of formulating a proposal based on actual data and therefore saves time and effort in the back and forth negotiations that can take up valuable time

Know what you want and how much you want to pay but be open to suggestion from your caterer who should guide you through the process to a successful event.

Source: Corporate Catering – Melbourne company Crave Catering tips for success

Wedding Caterers - A few things to keep in mind

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Wedding caterers can either make or break your special day. After watching the newly wed exchange vows and officially begin their married life as a couple, the guests will surely be hungry, and the wedding caterers may determine the lasting impression which your guests have. Also, many of the guests may have stopped themselves from eating so that they would look good on pictures, or simply because they were too busy with the wedding itself, so it is just right for you, the host to feed them right! Here’s a few things wedding caterers should be aware of.

1. Different Needs

Wedding caterer's have a bit of a tricky job because when you are putting together such a large variety of people, you have to be aware on the presence of preferences. Not everybody likes and dislikes the same food. You may find vegetarian, non-dairy, diabetic, or some with health restriction from the group. Lucky you if you don’t! Thus, you have to be open to eating arrangements. You don’t have to make arrangements for everyone but at least, try to offer two to three options. For example, you need to have pure meat for those who not into veggies, veggie options for those don’t eat meat, or other pasta dishes. It’s just an addition to the menu, so why not do the kindness to offer it to them? It is also a good idea to do the buffet style in serving the food. This allows each of the guests to pick what they want or can eat.

2. How to Find a Good Wedding Caterer

There are many wedding catering service providers who rely mainly on word of mouth advertising to advertise their service. If you can, why don’t you talk to newly wed couples in your area and ask if they can recommend a good wedding caterer? This can be a good starting point.

Another way is to ask for a recommendation from reception hall coordinators. Often times, they will ask you to use one particular wedding caterer or they will give you a list of trusted wedding caterers.

Do not forget to schedule an appointment with the wedding catering service candidates for taste test of the options they have for you. At this very point, you can easily pick the foods you think your guests will certainly enjoy. At Crave Catering Melbourne you can choose from a range of finger food, banquets and buffet options. Tastings are free if the function is booked.

Remember – a good meal is one great way to thank your guests for joining you in this wonderful day of you life. This is the part of your wedding that should not be skimped on no matter what reason you have. So it is just right that you find someone or a company to help you achieve this goal!

Written by:

David Kahan

Crave Catering Melbourne

Source: Wedding Caterers - A few things to keep in mind

Party Catering at Home – Top Tips

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +1300

Party catering at home can be very stressful indeed. But it doesn't have to be, party catering can be fun and easy and there is no reason you cannot host your own event with elegance and sophistication. Follow the party catering suggestions below and you will not only have fully satisfied guests, you could also earn some fabulous hostess benefits!

1. Your Decision to Host your Home Party

In order to host a home party, you must be ready to face the tasks associated with doing such task. These include shopping for the things you need, selecting a day and time for the event, fixing and redecorating the home to suit the event you will be hosting, deciding on the food to prepare, keeping food and beverage setups to minimum, and incorporating the size of the home with the size of the event you will be hosting. All of these require careful planning; thus, you need to have a firm decision that the event will be hosted at home since it is far more elaborated and complicated than finding a place for the event. Nevertheless, when the home party has turned into a big success, your rewards are far greater than any other events you have hosted.

2. Choosing on the Day and Time for your Home Party

One of the factors that could affect the success of your home party is the time. You have to consider the guests you will be inviting to make sure it will be a big success. For example, if your guests are working moms, a weekday home party is not a good idea. Rather, success is more likely if you are going to hold in on the weekend.

3. Preparing and Giving Away Invitations

It is often the most neglected part of hosting a home party since most people had the notion that everyone can receive their invitations. However, this isn’t always the case so it’s better to send the invitation at least three weeks or even a month prior to the event. It will also help to give them a follow-up or reminder call. This way, the reason of not attending your home party is minimal.

See, hosting a home party isn’t hard. Just make sure you know the important factors of hosting a home party and for sure, you’ll never go wrong – promise!

And if all else fails, call Crave Catering Melbourne to do it all for you. See our website at www.cravecatering.com.au for more info.

David Kahan

Crave Catering Melbourne

Source: Party Catering at Home – Top Tips

Melbourne Wedding Catering Tips

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +1300

Melbourne wedding catering - Surefire Tips for a successful event

Melbourne Wedding catering specialists Crave Catering know that your wedding catering involves many things to complete to ensure your wedding catering and planning goes smoothly. You may have decided on the date; but still, there are so many things that are yet to accomplish. Included here are the clothes, colors, guest list, location, reception, and of course, one of the most important is the catering options. There are so many catering options available for you but which among those options is the best? Read on and follow the surefire tips when catering a wedding.

The food you will offer your guests is one of the most important choices you could ever make for your wedding. Even if you don’t think it should be included in your top priorities, it is for the guests who will be attending your wedding party. Making a right and wise choice for your wedding catering is crucial to the success of the wedding itself. Aside from deciding on the menu that all your guests will like, you should also consider the time the food will arrive, possible food allergies one or some of your guests may have, and of course, most of all, the taste. Using a professional catering service like Crave Catering who have over 15 year experience will greatly assist in this process.

You should review and carefully study the specifics for serving great food through those responsible, reliable, and experienced in wedding catering. It would also be best to look for someone who is very versed in rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, and wedding reception.

Some other important wedding catering tips to remember are:

1. Discuss questions with your caterer through an in-person meeting. You can also ask for references that can provide you information about their catering experiences. You should also make sure they have complete equipment to handle the number of guests that you have and see also if they have the health permits to operate.

2. If you are planning to have a destination wedding, check carefully if the catering service is included in the price of the package.

3. Do not forget about the taste. Many caterers allow taste testing of their food menu options to help their clients select the best dishes suited to the party’s needs.

4. Make sure you read reviews about the caterers you have in mind. What others think matters since the service they provide to others would more likely be the same as the service they would provide you.

5. Do not forget to sign a contract with your chosen caterer. You and your caterer should sign a contract, which includes all the details of the wedding catering.

There are so many things to plan when you are getting married. You need to carefully plan your guest list, the flowers, the food, your wardrobe, the event site, the decorations, and a lot more. It requires a lot of work. Have you already thought of the meal? If not, then you’d better start planning.

Find someone to cater your wedding now! At Crave Catering Melbourne the friendly staff understand that your wedding day is the most important day of your life and the experience catering weddings over the years has paved the way for seamless, professional and sensational weeding catering.

Book a free consultation/quote with us and you can also request a free sample or call into our kitchen and meet us while sampling our food. we are confident you will love our food and happy to give you a sample platter.

Crave Catering Melbourne

www.cravecatering.com.au

Do not reproduce without our explicit permission

Source: Melbourne Wedding Catering Tips

Catering Trends in the world of catering

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +1300

Catering Trends – What’s “In” in the World of Catering?

Catering trends are important In a world where history repeats itself, everything old is brand new again, and the fad today is old tomorrow, how do we really keep up with the latest catering trends? Well, this is the difference between the catering industry and restaurant industry. The restaurant industry may stay without the need for any change but the caterers could not. Caterers must always have the flair and style while doing it on a grand scale. In this article, we are going to examine the latest trends in the world of catering that we, at Crave Catering have observed.

To start with, the vision of a client is always a top consideration for any caterer. Often times, they are given certain parameters to follow and execute their plans. This is the reason why the possibilities of any caterer are endless. But what is really new and exciting in the catering industry? What should you look forward to upcoming events? Read on and know what should excite you.

1. Food

Everything old is brand new again because the classic familiar meats are making their big comeback! In fact, a really popular way of presenting these classic courses is through a delectable menu with many different small courses to give a leaner, cleaner look, paired with wines appropriate for the course. Also beginning and rounding off the table are those mini-mini desserts and bite-sized canapés. Ethnic foods such as Dim Sum and East Indian are becoming more and more traditional, shifting from the fusion creations and are slowly incorporating themselves nicely with the trendy-themed caterings. Also on the rise in the catering industry are mixed-culture weddings, requesting a blend of two types of cuisine which features elements of two cultures with spectacular effect. Crave Catering Melbourne has catered many such events and find the excitement created with the menu is half the fun.

2. Beverages

Long live the martini – it simply refuses to die! In fact, it even reinvented itself with different ingredients such as Champagne, Saki, flavored Vodkas, and a lot more. The mini-bottle of Champagne sipped with a straw is definitely still in, and clients are still consuming better wines paired with their meals. It seems that customers prefer less, as reflected in today’s beer choices such as Becks, Stella Artois, Corona, Heineken, and Sol. Do not ever forget the irresistible summer blender drinks, which will always be in style! Crave Catering has some sensation new drink options available on the website at www.cravecatering.com.au

3. Presentation and Décor

If pictures are worth a thousand words, presentations are worth everything especially for caterers. You can have the most delicious food in the world; however, if it is not presented with style and flair, then the appeal can be lost in no time. With this premise, the entire event you planned for a long time hinges. The trend in presentation and décor is actually veering sharply towards a lean, clean look. Forget the old days of multiple draped linens! As a matter of fact, more and more events are beginning to be linen-free. See our picture gallery at www.cravecatering.com.au

So to recap – events these days are getting back to the old and basic ways with cleaner presentation, bigger taste on small plates, high-quality wines to compliment the food, ambient lighting and clean décor lines to enhance the entire event experience.

Crave Catering: Articles

Caterers - six things you should know before choosing a caterer

Catering History

Wedding Catering – four ways to slash your costs

Corporate Event Catering and Planning Tips

Catering Company Systems for a Smooth Event

Corporate Catering – Melbourne company Crave Catering tips for success

Wedding Caterers - A few things to keep in mind

Party Catering at Home – Top Tips

Melbourne Wedding Catering Tips

Melbourne wedding catering - Surefire Tips for a successful event

Some other important wedding catering tips to remember are:

Book a free consultation/quote with us and you can also request a free sample or call into our kitchen and meet us while sampling our food. we are confident you will love our food and happy to give you a sample platter.

Copyright 2010 David Kahan

Crave Catering Melbourne

www.cravecatering.com.au

Do not reproduce without our explicit permission

Catering Trends in the world of catering

Catering Trends – What’s “In” in the World of Catering?

1. Food

2. Beverages

3. Presentation and Décor

Written by

David Kahan

Crave Catering Melbourne

www.cravecatering.com.au