What is Catering?

Significant events require lots of planning. Whether you’re planning a wedding or a corporate event, there’s one common necessity: a catering company. 

Hiring a catering company to prep, serve, and clean up all food on-site can save you time and energy, and there are options for just about every price, cuisine, and food service. 

In this detailed guide about catering we’ll cover:

• What is catering?

• What is a catering business?

• What is a caterer?

• A catering industry analysis

• Types of catering

Ready? Let’s dive in.

What is catering?

Catering is the service of providing food/drink in large quantities for different types of events. Food usually plays a prominent role in events and parties. When trying to feed many people, hiring a catering service can save time and reduce stress – this way, the host can focus on talking to guests and attendees and not worry about small details, like the appetizers getting cold. 

Catering services don’t just make the food, they also stay on top of timing, service, and clean-up. Catering businesses make sure guests aren’t sitting with dirty, empty dishes. Caterers enhance events and keep them organized. 

What is a catering business?

A catering business is a company that’s sole purpose is to provide catering options and services. These businesses typically consist of professional chefs and event organizers who plan the logistics of supplying and serving food in large quantities. 

They also may include wait staff and bartenders if the event requires full-service catering. Catering businesses differ from restaurant caterers because they rarely have storefronts. Instead, food preparation takes place in a separate kitchen or sometimes on-site. Usually, catering businesses offer a variety of menus and pricing options for social events.

For catering business tips check out our guide here.

What is a caterer?

A caterer is any person or business that provides food and serves it at special events. An essential aspect of a caterer’s job is planning. As seasons change, the demand for a caterer and types of food shift. For example, a caterer might prepare different seasonal menus for the holiday season, as compared to the spring and summer. 

Catering Industry Analysis

2022 has been a comeback year for the catering industry. People have started gathering and celebrating together again, and the demand for professional caterers is expected to continue to increase over the next 5 years. 

Catering services have also added an emphasis on health and food safety due to the pandemic. The classic buffet-style service that everyone was accustomed to continues to decrease in popularity, whereas separately packaged meals have flourished.

The average cost of catering ranges from $20-$200 a head, and food truck catering ranges from $20-$35 per head. These costs fluctuate based on the event, menu, and head count. As inflation increases, these costs could expand in 2023.

Types of Catering

There are several different types of catering, depending on the event, target audience, time of year, and more. The catering service for a wedding is going to differ from a birthday party, so it’s important to choose the right type of catering service for your special event. Most caterers can accommodate several different types of catering. Catering businesses prefer to book these events with plenty of time in advance in order to properly plan. 

Here are 4 popular types of catering.

Corporate Catering

Corporate catering, the service of providing food and drink to a corporate space or organization, has changed as the new workforce started to shift to a remote working style. However, going into 2023, companies are trying to get their staff to return to the office. The Boston Globe found that catering services attract employees to work on-site. Corporate catering menus typically include assorted breakfast pastries, sandwich platters, salad bars, and pasta dishes. Often, companies targetting businesses like this provide delivery service, as well. 

Wedding Catering

Arguably the most valuable type of catering, wedding catering is a huge part of the industry. 

Weddings require a whole new level of event planning, and the food plays a huge role. According to The Knot Real Wedding Study, the average cost is about $75 a head, though wedding catering greatly ranges in price depending on the menu and how many guests are present at the reception.

In recent years, grab-and-go menu options have been popular, especially during cocktail hour. Guests like to grab a bite and return to dancing and socializing. As for the dinner itself, the trends are all over the place. Wedding caterers are prepared to customize their menus from the nostalgic meals of the bride and groom to allergy-friendly options. This part of the industry is expected to continue to boom as all the weddings that were postponed during COVID-19 continue to take place.

Event Catering

Event catering is a miscellaneous type of catering. It covers all those other events we love to celebrate – birthdays, retirement parties, graduation dinners, and everything in between.

Event caterers are always ready to supply these parties with a variety of menu options from BBQ to baked ziti. A major trend recently in event catering has been food and beverage pairings. If you’re providing alcoholic beverages at your event you might as well make sure it pairs well with your hors d'oeuvres! 

Mobile Catering

Mobile catering refers to any type of catering on wheels. The food truck industry is booming thanks to its convenience. 

It’s simple enough to drive your food truck into a parking lot or field and set up shop after establishing a collaborative rapport with local businesses. Mobile catering also refers to cart vendors, such as hot dog stands. Typically, the running costs of this type of catering are relatively low, and they have fewer fixed costs. They are also growing in popularity because you can offer a simple, pared-down, menu and don’t need a large staff. Many mobile catering vendors prep their ingredients in ghost kitchens, as they have limited space. If you’re looking for a unique and inexpensive way to start a catering business, mobile catering might be your solution.

Go into 2023 prepared to take on the “new norm” of the catering industry. Make sure your business has the proper technology for invoices to keep up with the rush. Charging your customers’ deposits to avoid cancellation has never been easier. Create and send digital invoices that your customers can easily pay online and in person. 

Related Resources:

• Catering business plan template
• 15 unique catering business ideas and concepts
• Catering and pre-ordering guide 
• How to get a catering license in California