Catering is ramping up again with live events resurfacing as the effects of the pandemic wind down. Your catering business is lucrative but needs constant attention to maintain its success. Following some tips for best practices in 2022 heading into 2023 can be essential to the growth of your business going into the busy holiday season and beyond.

1. Think about food integrity with boxed meals

If you are catering an event where boxed meals are required, it is essential to look at your equipment and the event itself to determine what to make. You need to include foods that can be enjoyed slightly chilled or at room temperature. Salads with grains, greens, fruits, and nuts are a good option as well as thinly sliced meats. Think of your meals as being enjoyed in a picnic-style setting. You want to include fully cooked meals that won’t lose their integrity over time sitting out.

The containers you enclose your food in are equally as important as the food itself. If you have certain boxes without separating components, heavily greasy items will soak through the packaging and may ruin other prepared food. Stay away from items that are heavily breaded or could lose integrity from being closed with the steam in the box.

2. Consistency is key

In the catering business, keeping the integrity of the flavors and textures of your food is essential. Make sure your measurements of portion sizes, cooking times, and seasonings are even among all the batches. How you prep is crucial to how your final product will come out. Try using flavor or seasoning to make sure your food is evenly seasoned every time. One spray can streamline your prep process and provide consistent flavor to every bite.

3. Keep dietary restrictions in mind, even during prep

People today are more in tune with their dietary restrictions than ever before. That being said, each step of your prep process needs to keep allergies and different diet needs in mind. Labeling is a crucial step to make sure no cross-contamination takes place in any step of the cooking or delivery process. Starting each dish with a release spray ensures that no allergens come in contact when using a release aid. This can be used on all items to release your food from the pot, pan, or tray with ease while adhering to allergy and dietary restrictions you are providing for.

Running and maintaining a successful catering business takes time and energy to perfect. Make sure you keep up to date with best practices in the industry and make improvements to guarantee your success year after year.

Content courtesy of Parway Tryson