Describe the meal in plain terms
Tell us whether this is the main meal of the day, a later meal after another caterer has served, or food for a separate evening guest list. Include any other food you are arranging. Describing the role gives the menu discussion a clearer basis than calling the event simply a wedding or party.
Match the menu to the occasion
The published menu combines carved pork and its accompaniments with either three salads or seasonal vegetables, plus one potato choice. Consider which combination suits the meal you want to offer. Do not assume that changing from a main meal to evening food automatically changes the menu, portion allowance or quoted price.
Separate the guest groups
For a wedding, distinguish people staying through the day from people arriving later. For a workplace event, identify which teams will actually attend the meal. Count each person once in the relevant food plan and identify alternative meal portions separately. An invitation total is not necessarily the number requiring this particular service.
Put the role into the booking
Agree a food service window that works with speeches, entertainment or shift changes. Then check that the quoted quantity and menu describe the meal you discussed. Service finishes when the booked food has been served or the agreed service period ends, whichever happens first; the event's overall finishing time does not extend food service.
Your next decisions
- State whether this is the main meal or later food.
- List other meals and snacks already being provided.
- Separate daytime, evening and other relevant attendance groups.
- Record pork and agreed alternative portions without double counting.
- Confirm the menu, booked quantity and actual food service window.