Planning a catered lunch meeting can be overwhelming. It saves time, boosts morale, and provides a good atmosphere for discussion. But how can you ensure it goes smoothly?
Planning a successful catered lunch meeting requires some skills. In this blog, we will explore some effective tips to help you organize a catered lunch meeting that’s both delicious and productive.
Exploring The Essential Tips For Organizing A Catered Lunch Meeting
1. Set An Ideal Time
First of all, set an ideal time. Choose a time that allows every member of the meeting to relax, enjoy the meal, and fully concentrate on the discussion. Avoid planning the meeting too early. That is to say when people might be tired.
Ideally, the plan should be in the mid-morning or early afternoon. Also, don’t forget to set the time considering the complexity of the meeting. For a creative session, a dedicated lunch hour might be sufficient.
However, for longer meetings that require in-depth discussions and planning, it’s best to schedule them for after lunch.
2. Choose A Suitable Venue
A proper venue is equally important to enjoy your meeting up to the mark. The venue reflects the overall professionalism of your meeting. Hence, choose a clean, well-maintained space that helps you achieve that.
Besides, prefer a venue that’s easily accessible for your guests to minimize travel time and do consider factors like parking availability, or temperature, lighting, and seating arrangement within the interior as well.
Additionally, if your meeting requires presentations or video conferencing, ensure the venue has the required recruitment and technical support system.
3. Get A Guest Count
After selecting an appropriate venue, finalize the number of guests attending your meeting. This helps you in a number of ways. First, running out of food can leave your guests hungry or dissatisfied. Knowing the exact number of guests ensures there’s enough food for everyone to enjoy the lunch.
Second, the number of guests helps you determine the amount of seating and table space needed. Third, most caterers base their quotes on the number of attendees, so a precise guest count allows you to receive the most affordable quote possible.
4. Plan A Budget
Knowing your budget allows you to select a caterer that lines up with your price range. Caterers offer different levels of service at different costs. With the help of a clear-cut budget, you can find options that fit your needs without spending too much.
In addition, with a guest count, you can request quotes from different caterers and comparing them, choose the best value with your financial limits.
5. Choose Your Cuisine
After planning your budget, it is important to choose a proper cuisine based on your budget and the type of meeting. Food preferences vary greatly. Selecting a somewhat varied cuisine that fits your budget allows you to satisfy a greater diversity of dietary requirements.
For example, Indian cuisine offers vegetarian and meat-based options as well, while a strictly vegan menu might not suit everyone. When we talk about the meeting context, for a casual session, a Mediterranean spread with small plates can be ideal. However, for a formal client meeting, a plated lunch with European cuisine can be a better choice.
6. Pick A Reliable Caterer
Lastly, make sure you choose a reliable caterer. A reliable caterer uses high-quality ingredients and prepares food that turns out to be more than just delicious. This ensures a positive experience for your guests.
A professional caterer, most importantly, knows how to display food attractively. Appealing visuals create a more enjoyable experience for attendees. In addition, it delivers food on time, so you don’t have to worry about late arrivals or delays that can interrupt your meeting.
Let’s Sum It Up!
A catered lunch meeting can be a win-win for productivity and morale. So, by following these tips – from setting a budget to hiring the best caterer – you can ensure a smooth, delicious, and successful gathering. Thus, go forth and conquer your next catered lunch meeting!