The restaurant industry serves millions of customers around the world through various channels designed to meet different requirements. It is not limited to just event catering, although this is perhaps the most well-known type of channel. Knowing and understanding other establishments makes us appreciate how valuable the industry is today.
Catering itself basically consists of preparing and serving food and drinks to customers. These customers can be office workers, health workers, prisoners, railway workers, flight passengers and industry workers. It is a massive clientele that cannot be served by a single segment. This is why the industry consists of a list of “types” that suit different requirements. Have a look.
Catering for events
A challenging but potentially lucrative business, event caterers are tasked with catering to events, whether it be a gala, wedding or business lunch. Since the environment can be very varied, they must be able to adapt to different style requirements, food options and be proficient in organizing such events if requested by clients.
Event catering is also known as outdoor catering, as customer requirements call for a service outside of the provider’s base.
Catering for airlines, railways and ships
Food and beverage service provided to people on board airlines, railways, and ships are three other important segments of the catering industry. The works are carried out by independent catering companies hired to provide them. Inflight meal services are part of the package for long-distance travel.
Serving passengers and crew requires massive logistics that are not easy to manage. However, if it is carried out successfully, the profits can be extremely high.
meal transportation
Where other types of catering are normally planned, passenger transport and general public catering services are similar to those of a restaurant. In addition to food and beverages, establishments may have sanitary services and counters selling snacks and other food.
Today, transport catering can also refer to airline, rail and ship catering, so the lines can blur.
Restaurant
The most popular and most used catering service are the restaurants that dot the towns, cities and villages all over the world. They range from settings that offer cheap food to 7-star establishments that focus not only on food, but also on luxurious facilities designed to impress and pamper the clientele.
Gastronomic diversity is one of the main characteristics of restaurants where it is possible to find world food in the same establishment or establishments specialized in certain cuisines.
industrial restoration
Industrial restoration services to people who work in industries at subsidized prices. The service can be provided by a catering contracted or assumed by the management.
The low cost of food and beverages is what sets this segment apart from others, as it is believed that better-nourished workers are likely to be more productive and happy, which satisfies them and management.
wellness catering
Social obligations related to the provision of food to schools, universities, retirement homes and prisons, etc., are included in the provision of social assistance services. It is a charity based service aimed at uplifting society.
The types of catering mentioned here come in the form of hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, pubs, and cafeterias. Companies that service industries may or may not have their own hotels, although that is often the case.
The logistics, cost and manpower required to provide food and beverages can be immense and for the inexperienced it can be hell. Professional caterers have the experience and equipment to cater to any request the client has, so it is always advisable to hire a caterer when you need to feed a large number of people.