Catering events, no matter the size, is no easy task. Most events rely heavily on the food being served, which puts a lot of importance on the event caterers. There are several qualities that successful event caterers must possess. We will discuss the most important four, in our opinion, in this blog post. Event caterers need to be detailed oriented, experienced, customer focused and flexible. Whether you’re searching for an event caterer or you’re looking to become one, read on to learn about why each quality is vital to have.
Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is by far one of the most important characteristics for event caterers. Especially as events get larger, things get more complex. Remembering and notating certain details produces much higher-quality catering events. For example, all it could take is one typo on a banquet event order form to ruin an entire event. Details with food, service and paperwork are all vital to a successful event. If you’re looking for a caterer or you want to become one, one that focuses on every single detail of your event will produce the best result.
Customer Focused
Just like any other part of the service industry, event caterers must be extremely customer focused. Each event, lunch or dinner is different for each client. Therefore, listening to the client and tailoring their event menu to match their event goal is vital. For example, you probably wouldn’t provide the same type of food at a 12 year old’s birthday party as you would an adults-only fundraising gala. When looking for a caterer, choose one who takes the time to get to know you and your vision for your event. When your guests see the final result, it will be obvious that it was clearly crafted just for you. Being personable and willing to work with clients to craft the perfect menu is important. If you are interested in becoming a caterer, make sure you possess this quality and make your customer your main focus.
Creative and Experienced
Setting up, preparing and serving top-notch meals for a large or even small group of people for a wedding or party takes knowledge and experience. Event caterers should have some sort of schooling or 
training to be able to pull off such a feat. Educational programs, training and certifications are helpful to be a successful caterer. Programs such as hospitality, culinary production, knife skills and others can set caterers apart from others in addition to industry experience and increase success.
Another quality that goes along with being experienced is being creative. Producing beautiful and delicious food is an art that requires a high degree of creativity. For customers, you want your event to be unique and special for you and your guests. Therefore, you should be looking for a creative events caterer. As caterers, you can provide that type of event for guests by practicing creative concepts, recipes and food presentations.
Flexible
Lastly, another quality to look for in event caterers is flexibility. Customization for each event and client requires the caterer to be flexible. Caterers who are quick on their feet and ready for anything help ensure a seamless event. With the service industry, you have to be willing and able to work long hours with several different types of people. Weekends and nights are when most people host events, so being accustomed and flexible with working those hours is important. Also, whether it’s staff or customers, successful event caterers must be able to work with and assist several types of personalities and people. If you’re an aspiring caterer that’s flexible, or your caterer that you hire is flexible, you’re in good hands!
Conclusion
We could go on about more qualities of successful event caterers, but these four are some of the most important. If you’re working on becoming an event caterer, be sure you pay attention to detail, are customer focused, creative, flexible and experienced. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a caterer, be sure you look for one with these qualities. At Four Seasons Catering and Eatery, we pride ourselves on a team of hardworking people that possess each of these qualities and more. We would love if you considered us for your next catered event!
I agree that a good caterer is customer focused. I would imagine that you would want to find someone who is customer focused because it would allow them to care more about you. I’m looking for an event caterer so I’ll have to find someone who is focused on me and my needs.
My wife and I are planning for an upcoming social event we’re hosting. We want to have a caterer provide food for the party so we can interact with our guests, but we’re unsure what to look for. I didn’t realize how important it is to choose a food catering service that has great attention to detail to ensure no unexpected issues arise. I’ll be sure to remember this consideration as we start our search.
I’m going to be hosting a party, so I want to hire some caterers. It makes sense that I would want to find some that pay attention to detail! That way I know the food will not only taste nice, but look nice.