Catering at your events.. consider all options!

Venues are now a lot more flexible in terms of the food offerings for lunches for events, from sandwiches and crisps, to hot and cold finger buffets/ bowl food and hot restaurant buffet lunches!

You’ll find often delegates take time to feedback about the food at an event, therefore it is important to spend some time making sure it is right and fits your event.

For instance think about the time you have allocated for lunch, do you have plenty of time to offer a more leisurely two course restaurant buffet lunch to delegates or are you pushed for time and need to provide time for delegates to network with sponsors and exhibitors?

Take into account the price for the event, have delegates paid to attend and will they as a result expect something more substantial  to reflect the event price, or have you organised a free event with limited budget and lunch only needs to be a simple offering.

We have provided a brief overview of the usual options available at venues to help make your catering decision easier to manage: 

•  Sandwich lunch – more informal and a quick lunch option – this usually includes  a selection of sandwiches, with crisps/chips and salad and water and sometimes tea/coffee - hot items can be added but are charged extra   
•  Hot and cold finger buffet –this is a more in between option,  more substantial than sandwiches but not as formal as a restaurant lunch, and generally includes a range of hot and cold food items,  for example chicken skewers, salads, mozzarella and tomato and often includes a selection of sandwiches
• Bowl food – this is still a relatively new concept at some venues, and provides  bowls of food that delegates can pick up and eat whilst standing or networking, a  more substantial alternative than canapés but not as formal as a restaurant lunch, items usually include a noodle or rice dishes, curry, salads as some examples 
•  Two course restaurant lunch – this is more of a formal and most substantial option and can take a bit more time, delegates are seated in the restaurant, and typically includes a couple, of main course options, a vegetarian option and then a selection of dessert options

Cost is another factor to bear in mind, the lower priced packages at venues tend to include a sandwich lunch offering but for a supplement you can as a rule upgrade to a more substantial lunch choice. Standard delegate packages tend to include a hot and cold finger buffet/working lunch or two course restaurant lunch, all packages depend on the venue you choose for your event. 

Reflect on what your event objectives are, naturally your event topic, programme and speakers are the most important but is the food you provide fuel for the delegates for the rest of the day or a selection so they can network with other colleagues and any sponsors and exhibitors at the event.

It may seem the last thing to think about for your event but is worth spending some time thinking about the food, as poor food can leave a lasting impression on delegates!

Please share your experiences with food at events or if you would like to write a blog for Mosaic Events please email enquiries@mosaicevents.co.uk