A catering company is in charge of organizing a food service that consists of preparing, presenting and serving food at an event. All this involves logistics that take into account the type of event, the time and the budget. There are several types of catering and it is important to know them in order to choose the type that best suits the client's needs.
Most common types of Catering
Buffet Catering
It is mainly used in large corporate events where there is a high segmentation among the guests, the best option is to provide them with a variety of food that allows them to taste the combinations that most appeal to them. It usually offers a variety of cold, hot, sweet and savory dishes, arranged on the table and freely accessible to the diner.
Cocktail Catering
It is used in informal events where you want to offer an appetizer to liven up the atmosphere and promote interaction among guests. They are usually served at lunch or dinner time and offer between 15 and 25 savory references per person. It is a very common service in weddings at the reception time where guests are pleased with an assortment of small bites that serve as a starter before the banquet.
Breakfast / coffee catering
For events that take place in the morning, the choice falls on offering a Welcome coffee before starting the meeting and a coffee Break, more consistent, as a break between the mid-morning sessions. This type of catering is usually done for company events and corporate meetings. In this case, the offer tends to be sweeter and lighter.
Catering type aperitif or Spanish wine
It is served at the end of a meeting that ends before lunchtime or at the end of the afternoon, as a detail to the attendees, as a finale to the event to share among the attendees the development of the event. They do not last more than 45 minutes and usually do not exceed 6-8 salty references.
Brunch catering
This modality is very fashionable nowadays and consists of combining dishes that are usually eaten at breakfast and lunch. It offers a range of easily accessible options that can be both sweet and savory.
Banquet type catering
Present in longer events where all the guests are seated at the table to eat. It is a much more elaborate menu consisting of a starter, a main course and a dessert. Example: Wedding or formal gala.
Having in mind the type of event and having defined the type of catering to be served, we proceed to choose the form in which it will be presented. Here is a selection:
Mobile catering services
As its name suggests, it consists of equipment that can be moved anywhere and that allows catering service to be provided in specific places that do not have a space for this function. It is usually a fast service without elaborate recipes. Example: Fairs, festivals, etc.
Home catering services
This type of service consists of delivering the food to the customer in a format that is easy for them to access. The food is usually packaged in a way that makes it easy to store and serve. The menu can be varied, ranging from something very simple to more elaborate recipes. Example: Parties or get-togethers at home
Door-to-door catering services (delivery)
This service is delivered at home and consists of a menu previously chosen by the client ready to eat. To carry out this service, a time must be set at which the caterer will deliver the food.
Catering for special events
A special event usually includes all the necessary services. The caterer will not only propose a delicious menu, but will also propose its presentation and many times the decoration and general planning of the event.
Corporate Catering
This catering service is designed for any type of event that a company can carry out. Its menu can range from something very simple to something very elaborate personalized, it all depends on the client's profile. Example: Business meetings, training sessions, etc.
Industrial Catering
It is considered industrial when the number of guests is quite high and the menu, which is still of high quality, is standardized. They are usually stable orders that are repeated periodically for different events in specific events of the same company. Example: Hospitals, schools, airlines, etc.
