Every wedding season is different as trends change, tastes evolve and expectations increase every year. Weddings are a major contributor to the bottom line of most catering companies and maximizing profits during peak season is essential to the longevity and growth of your business. Your menu, staff, equipment and your ability to reach potential customers all play a major role in your success.
Personal Service Versus Buffet
The Huffington Post reveals several wedding catering trends that are looking to offer much more than just a roast beef cutting station and some heated serving trays. Fresh foods are in and chefs with strolling cutting stations and hiring cheese experts are starting to become very popular. Chefs that shuck oysters at the guests' tables and prepare fresh sushi while the guests look on are currently in high demand.
Food Supply
Rather than going through a food supply company, many caterers have begun to purchase local, farm fresh and organic ingredients. According to CBS News, fresh fruits and local ingredients are in higher demand now than ever before. As a food expert, you know that buying local and buying fresh costs more money, but the investment will bring in more consistent, and higher-end, clients.
Equipment Upgrades
There are so many intricate details that go into providing your catering services on that special day. It is critical that you are able to compete not only with price but also with the various accoutrements needed for an event. Do you offer your customers an assortment of dish-ware options? Customers will undoubtedly have differing tastes so you need to have a wide variety at your disposal. How do your glassware and flatware options look? These items must be taken into consideration along with serving trays, bowls, pans, and utensils. Is your oven and dishwasher state of the art? Time is money and you must ensure that you are not wasting it with outdated or inefficient options.
Attracting Clients
How do you tell the world about your catering company and what you have to offer? These days digital marketing is everywhere and it pays to be on trend in your efforts. Purchase lists of customers who have signed up to receive bridal magazines. This is usually a great indicator that they are ready to start their wedding planning. Attend bridal shows and introduce yourself as a go-to caterer who can accommodate a variety of wedding styles and themes. Hire an advertising guru who will create unique, eye-catching designs that you can mail or email to put the name of your catering company on the top of their lists. Repetition is definitely a good thing when it comes to marketing so don’t be shy to let people know why they should choose you.
Menu Refinement
Design - How would you describe the look of your menu? This is usually the first item that people request from you. Make sure that it is worthy of being passed around. Update the look and have shorter versions on hand so that you can pass them out on the go.
Original Cocktails - Creating new drinks that fit a theme or season can add a signature touch to your beverage menu. You’ll always want to offer the classics but including original drinks with fresh ingredients will help set your catering company apart.
Edible Flowers - There are a wide variety of edible flowers and they can make a beautiful addition to many menu items. Garnishing salads, entrees and drinks with fresh flowers will add to the color and conversation to your wedding celebration.
Bite-Sized Everything - Creating miniature versions of your popular menu items is a growing trend and is something that you should consider offering if you don’t already. This allows you to translate entrees into appetizers and offer a bigger variety of dessert choices.
Drink and Appetizer Pairings - A combination drink and appetizer menu that offers complimentary pairings adds a sophisticated touch and optimizes each guest’s catering experience. Be sure to include a wide variety of options to fit individual tastes.
Tasting Menu - Fine dining restaurants have long offered multiple course tasting menus that showcase the quality of their ingredients and the skills of their chefs. This is quickly becoming a must have for upscale wedding parties. Utilizing new techniques, exotic ingredients and luxury food items will bring flare to your tasting menu and entice clients to increase their catering budget.
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