If you’re planning on scheduling a corporate event, chances are you know how important food is to overall success and employee satisfaction. At a party, training or other corporate get-togethers, food can be among the most memorable aspects of the event. Corporate event catering in NJ can help your next event come together seamlessly.
“Today, people are much more in tune with food than ever before,” says market researcher David Abers. A recent Harris Poll data shows that 80 percent of Americans regularly watch television cooking shows. Millennials are also famously health-conscious and food-aware, reading packaging labels now more than ever.
Corporate event catering in NJ can make for a higher quality and less stressful experience. If you need to make a business case for the benefits of catering service, read on for seven reasons professional help with your corporate event makes sense.
Making a Case for Corporate Event Catering in NJ
1. It May Save Money
Corporate event catering in NJ can help you efficiently plan a menu for guest lists, accommodating varied palates. By using an event catering provider, you can avoid facing an expensive tab from outsourcing food services.
Caterers can also work closely with venues to contract negotiations, hire staff, assist with the decor and perform other services to support a cost-effective corporate event. Their assistance and long-standing relationships with vendors may drive significant savings over client-negotiated vendor contracts.
2. Caterers Can Improve Event Satisfaction
Thinking back about events you’ve attended in the past, from professional conferences to weddings, how often does the food stand out in your memory? Chances are that you remember a fair amount about the food, whether it was good or bad.
The reason we recall boring boxed lunches, rubber chicken or amazing wedding cakes so clearly is because food is among the strongest human memories. According to Brain Sciences Professor Susan Whitborne, this phenomenon occurs because consuming food is a multi-sensory experience.
“The food is often what people remember most about an event and is limited only by the budget and your imagination,” says event expert Judy Anderson. To ensure your employees or clients leave with a positive recollection of your event, it’s smart to avoid taking any risks with food.
3. Improved Event Branding and Atmosphere
DIY catering or take-out from a restaurant means you’ll be left dealing with decorations and food presentation. This is both time-consuming and stressful. Additionally, you may not have the degree of creativity in event branding and atmosphere as corporate event catering NJ professionals do.
Food experiences are officially in and boring buffets are out according to Abers. He writes “the stakes have changed for event catering.” Increasingly, people expect a great deal of choice and attractive presentation when it comes to event food.
4. Caterers Can Accommodate Restricted Diets
A recent survey of professional meeting planners revealed that many believe special dietary requests have grown significantly in recent years. 86 percent believe they’re on the rise, while 8 percent say growth is explosive. In addition to vegetarian, vegan, kosher diets and food allergies, meeting planners are increasingly having to accommodate requests for Paleo and SIBO-friendly meals.
Providing food accommodations for all employees at a corporate event isn’t optional. When you offer this type of selection you will need specialized skills and resources to handle a wide range of employee needs. By working with a catering service, you can ensure all special needs and preferences are sensitively and safely handled.
5. It Reduces Food-Related Risks
DIY event food could carry some risks, especially if you lack a background in food handling. Caterers are experts at avoiding the risks of cross-contamination, undercooked food and food exposure. They can also ensure your event has adequate permits and licensing to serve alcohol if need be.
6. Varied, Innovative Menu Options
New Jersey is renowned for sophisticated dining. This world-class food has produced eaters with high expectations and as a result, corporate event attendees expect delicious cuisine. They’ll be especially thrilled if you’re able to present a varied, innovative menu of options sourced from high-quality ingredients.
Corporate event catering NJ services can work to create an exciting menu of options including trendy, globally-inspired dishes and seasonal, local favorites. They can accommodate picky palates and special dietary preferences. The right experts can also create a menu of healthy, sustainable or fun favorites to reflect your brand values.
7. Less Stress and Time
On the day of the event, catering personnel is dedicated to planning and execution. Since it’s going to be a busy day, they’ll make sure everything is in order and that last minute details are sorted out. Hiring a corporate event catering service can reduce the last-minute stress, ensuring there’s no panic over food.
Even with staff members dedicated to event organization, managing food for the corporate event can be overwhelming. Hiring experts to manage the menu, food preparation, serving and other details can significantly reduce the workload on internal staff members. This allows for increased productivity on regular work tasks in the days leading up to the event.
Corporate Event Catering NJ Makes Sense
If your boss isn’t convinced that corporate event catering is the right choice, there’s a great deal of evidence and reasons why it’s the better option. This is especially the case when you compare catering options to DIY food or delivery from a local restaurant. Working with a catering service can save money and allow staff to remain productive. At the same time, corporate event catering reduces food and alcohol-related risks, while ensuring that varied dietary preferences or requirements are accommodated.
Corporate Essentials is a leading source for corporate event catering and lunch service in New Jersey and New York. Through an acquisition with Martin + Fitch, we offer full boutique catering services including venue support, event branding, photography and other services. We’re committed to reinventing corporate event catering with fresh, innovative menus designed by award-winning chefs with flexible options to meet client needs and visions.
