See our list of catering necessities if you need a refresher on the most crucial products and tools for catering. You will have to deliver all necessary supplies for an off-site event, unload them, and clean up after the event. An event’s setup and breakdown may be quite the production, so it’s wise to have a well-organized checklist.

Table Setting

The kinds of table arrangements you’ll require will depend on the event’s design. Extras like charger plates, stemware, and cotton napkins are needed to finish a table arrangement for upscale weddings and parties. Maybe all you need for a basic picnic or BBQ are dinner plates, water glasses, and flatware.

•     Glassware

•     Salt and Pepper Shakers

•     Bread Baskets

•     Napkins

•     Dinnerware

•     Flatware

•     Charger Plates

•     Water Pitchers

•     Tablecloths

Display and Decor

You might raise the overall amount due on the event invoice by offering your clients some basic decor rentals. Instead of looking for a different rental firm, many consumers would much rather pay your catering business to rent basic items like vases and table numbers. Remember to use display stands and risers to draw attention to your food and utilize the vertical space on your food tables.

•     Cake stands

•     Vases

•     Table Numbers

•     Cupcake Towers

•     Centerpieces

•     Candleholders and Candles

•     Risers

•     Chalkboard Signs

Disposable Catering Supplies

Disposable catering materials can be economical and practical for your customers to use. If you use regular glasses and porcelain dinnerware, you’ll probably need to charge for dishwashing and have to carry the dirty dishes back onto the truck. You can avoid charging your clients for cutlery, plates, and drinkware, reduce the possibility of broken dishes, and save time on cleaning.

•     Cocktail Picks

•     Plastic Drinkware

•     Appetizer Plates

•     Plastic Cutlery

•     Paper Napkins

•     Foil Pans

•     Aluminum Foil

Transport Supplies

Transport supplies for catering are necessary if you want to take your cooked meals off-site without them becoming cold. The best companion of a caterer is an insulated food pan carrier because of this. They can be used to keep meals hot or cold and can be filled with food pans of different sizes. To transport drinks and ice, use outside refrigerators. Use totes and food storage bins for dry ingredients.

• Insulated Food Pan Carriers

• Food Storage Boxes, Lugs, and Totes

• Glass Racks

• Outdoor Coolers

• Rolling Carts / Dollies

Cooking and Holding Equipment

You will need to provide the necessary cookware and equipment if you intend to set up chef action stations at your event. Because induction cookers are small, lightweight, and emit no ambient heat, they’re an excellent option for crepe, omelet, or stir-fry stations. Use portable outdoor grills to set up grill stations for outdoor catering events.

• Induction Cookers

• Holding Cabinets

• Portable Grills

• Outdoor Burners

Serving Equipment

Though you’ve put a lot of effort into organizing your event, you aren’t always able to attend in person and attend to every last detail. By giving your employees everything, they need to implement your vision, you can set them up for success. Although they are occasionally overlooked, lighters are essential for loading up your chafers with fuel. Having extra uniforms and aprons makes sure that every employee is tidy and professional.

• Chafers

• Chafer Fuel

• Serving Utensils

• Lighters / Matches

• Serving Trays

• Food Pans

• Server Aprons and Uniforms

• Tray Stands

Beverage Supplies

You can take hot and cold beverages off-site and keep them at serving temperature by using insulated beverage dispensers. Coffee chafer urns are a stylish and useful option if you’re setting up a coffee station and want something more sophisticated. You can frequently use more ice than you initially think, so don’t forget to pack plenty.

• Coffee Chafer Urns

• Coffee Airpots

• Ice

• Beverage dispensers

Furniture and Seating

Renting out tables and chairs to customers might turn your catering company into a one-stop shop. Your clients will feel more at ease knowing their event is being managed by a single business rather than having to look around for multiple rentals. For outdoor catered events, you’ll also need tents or canopies, as well as display tables for your food stations.

• Folding Tables

• Bars

• Folding Chairs

• Benches

• Cocktail Tables

• Canopies / Tents

Janitorial / Cleaning Supplies

Bring the necessary trash cans, recycling cans, and liners for any off-site activities as you will probably be handling all trash removal. When considering places without water hookups or sinks, don’t forget to take into account portable handwashing stations.

• Disposable Gloves

• Garbage Cans

• Bus Bins

• Handwashing Stations

• Cleaning Towels

• Hand Sanitizer

Make sure you have everything you need to organize an off-site event by using our catering checklist. Nothing is worse than getting to the location and discovering you forgot something crucial. To ensure that everything gets to its destination securely and you can concentrate on your cuisine and service, please follow our instructions.