One of the biggest problems businesses and individuals face today is food waste. According to the Huffington Post, we could cut food loss worldwide by 50 percent by avoiding unnecessary waste. The hospitality industry faces a similar dilemma, as it is difficult to anticipate how much food will be needed to feed a group.
Choosing A Caterer
If you’re planning an event and have group meals St Louis MO, selecting a caterer can be an important step in the planning process. This professional can help you execute your vision for the food and fulfill your guests’ appetites and souls. In addition, choosing the right caterer for your event can eliminate a great deal of the stress and hassle of planning the event.
The first step in choosing a caterer is researching the catering companies you’re considering. First, look up online reviews to find out what past clients have had to say about their experiences with the company. While this method is not foolproof, it does give you a good idea of the quality of service provided. Additionally, you can contact past clients of a caterer to confirm their experience.
Another key to choosing the right caterer for your event is to taste the products they offer. Some companies offer free samples to see if their dishes are up to your standards. Others offer tasting sessions to help you decide whether they’re the right choice for your special event.
Cost Of Hiring A Caterer
The cost of hiring a caterer for groups varies depending on your group’s size and the event type. Most caterers charge per person or hour and may include flat fees for rental items.
Some caterers also require a supervisor to ensure a smooth catering process and resolve any problems arising during the event. Most events only require one supervisor, but the cost per person will be higher if more than one supervisor is needed.
Fees Charged By A Caterer
If you are considering hiring a caterer for a large group event, you’ll want to find out about the fees they charge. Most caterers will charge a service charge in addition to the cost of food and beverages. This service charge is meant to cover the cost of operating the business and paying its employees.
Catering companies often charge their clients a service charge that does not include gratuities. Instead, this charge covers the cost of executing the event. For instance, a caterer might charge 24% of the total bill for labor. However, this charge is not distributed to employees as a tip.
Food Waste In The Industry
The overproduction of dishes often causes food waste in the catering industry. This can be prevented by implementing better portioning standards and awareness programs. For example, clients can be encouraged to eat smaller portions and pay for their food by weight rather than volume. In addition, managers can provide training to chefs and help them design menus that minimize the amount of leftover food. Food waste in the catering industry is a complex problem, and the main factors that contribute to it are largely in the kitchen and back-office operations. However, the study also found that chefs and restaurant managers play an important role in generating waste since they are responsible for many processes before food is served. This includes the ingredient procurement phase and the storage of ingredients.
Food waste is an issue that has several negative implications for the industry and the general population. To address the problem, researchers conducted a study in Poland to determine the main root causes of food waste. They used multi-criteria decision-making methodologies, holistic cause-and-effect diagrams, and priority ranking to identify the most critical food waste enablers.
