5 Ways to Plan A Lunch that Everyone Loves
Things we’ve learned that will hopefully help you
As an organizer, things are already stressful enough. Juggling logistics of how, when, and where lunch is happening, how many people are eating, their dietary preferences are, and hounding down teammates to place their orders on time and some forgetting about it even after the deadline can be a lot to handle.
After catering hundreds of lunches, here’s what we’ve learned along the way:
Choose a flexible option
People prioritize different things in their meals: some want flavor, some just care about protein, others are avoiding carbs altogether. Add in vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian preferences and it’s easy to see why catering can get overwhelming real quick.
That’s why flexibility matters. Choose a caterer that makes customization easy whether through diverse menu options or setups like Create-Your-Own bowls or bars. These set-ups have a higher probability of keeping everyone happy and without the headache.
More is better
There will always be last-minute people that throw off the list of orders you’ve put together. To account for this, it’s always better to order more and have food for everyone who comes. It;s better to over-order than run short because having extra is never a bad thing. Worst case, people can save leftovers and reheat it a few hours after or the next day.
Stay in close contact
Building a relationship with your Account Manager or Restaurant Manager goes a long way. When a last-minute catering emergency hits and you need a last minute order, add-on or just to clarify certain information , that connection can make all the difference. Picking responsive and well organized caterers is a must.
Label. Label. Label
Everyone hates having to be the one serving a non-labelled catering order. Having to guess who ordered what and what’s inside a bowl is never pleasant. That’s why it’s important to request to label your orders whether that be with specific names or even just a simple request for the restaurant to label what’s inside the containers. This is a small step that makes a big difference and saves a lot of time.
Build Loyalty
When you like a specific caterer, stick with them. Over time, they’ll learn your go-to order, which makes the process effortless. A quick call or email referring to the usual is all it takes. Plus, loyal customers often get first dibs on promos and perks.
There are many factors that contribute to successful catering. Some of it comes down to enough practice to the point of nailing down portions but most of it comes from being considerate, flexible, and organized. So, don’t stress. Whether you’re already a pro or still figuring it out, you’re doing great.
See you in our next catering newsletter! Until then, you know where to find us :)
