Preparation for Catering Services

In a catering business, proper thorough preparation and a sense of creativity are the keys to success. Not only is it your job to cook and serve what is requested from the menu but you need a lot of different catering supplies and pieces of equipment to tie in the whole service other than pots and pans. For table settings, you'll need dinner plates, bread plates, and salad plates if you're catering a sit-down meal. Add soup bowls if you plan to serve a soup course. You'll also need water glasses and wine glasses of wine is being served, coffee cups with saucers, and utensils. It's always a good idea to have extra utensils on hand. You are not going to place all this on a bare table, so don't forget tablecloths, napkins and centerpieces. Also include the condiments such as salt and pepper, sugar and butter in attractive settings or holders.

These are some important catering supplies to help you get prepared at your business:
Kitchen Equipment

• Portable kitchen sink
• Upright freezer
• Chef knives
• Commercial and portable fridge
• Aprons
• Cookware

Food Preparation Equipment

• Convection oven
• Charcoal grill
• Food processor
• Rice cooker
• Deep fryer
• Sandwich and waffle press

Serving Supplies

• Disposable plates and bowls
• Takeaway food containers
• Disposable cutlery
• Tissues and napkins

For serving equipment, you'll have to get your prepared food and drink to those seated guests, so don't forget serving trays, bus tubs, and water pitchers. Typically, you'll want extra bus tubs to hold those dirty dishes after each serving has been cleared. You'll need the same catering supplies if you're serving a buffet, but placement will be different and you'll require a few extras on hand. It's more common for items to be inadvertently dropped or broken in a buffet setting. For instance, the silverware can be placed in rolls. You'll additionally need chafing dishes and fuel cells to keep the chafing dishes going. These cells will require a lighter or matches to get them started. You need tongs and large spoons for serving, as well as at least one sharp knife. That turkey, ham, or roast beef will require a cutting board, and make sure you have something tucked away nearby to clean up any messes on the spot. And don't forget that buffet tables need decorations, too. A coffee or other beverage station will require much of its own equipment, including air-pots for coffee, decaf backups for those who don't want to consume caffeine, and a source of hot water. Iced tubs for cold drinks are important, and you'll need an assortment of glasses and coffee cups or mugs here as well. Add a variety of teas and cocoa, and sugar and dairy packets. A tidy wastebasket somewhere nearby for guests to toss their trash is a great touch and makes cleanup a lot easier for your staff.

Catering is a rapidly-growing business that can be very profitable for people with the right mix of talent, drive, and preparation. You have to be extremely organized to successfully cater any type of function, whether it's a large reception or a simple business luncheon. Lots of catering supplies and equipment can be overlooked in the rush to get out the door, such as salt and pepper shakers, cocktail napkins, even steak knives or forks are essential.