Implement these time-tested strategies as you plan events for 2023 By Kenneth Connell, The Waffle Experience With the stressful holiday season in the rearview mirror, the new year beckons with opportunity. While COVID-era concerns for hygiene have not gone away—and the industry is still plagued by ongoing labor shortages—patrons are excitedly looking forward to in-person … [Read more...] about Elevate Your Catering
Business Tips
Tips for Handling Aggressive Customers
Particularly in the foodservice industry, it’s critical to understand how to address complaints and defuse potentially dangerous situations By Yasmine Mustafa, CEO and co-founder of ROAR One of the best indicators of how efficiently a business runs is how well it deals with complaints. This is extremely important in the hospitality and foodservice industries, where … [Read more...] about Tips for Handling Aggressive Customers
Station Innovation
Offering tempting dishes and creative themes, caterers serve up their best with guest-pleasing stations By Sara Perez Webber The sky’s the limit when it comes to food station variety. But which ones are most popular with clients and guests? CFE asked six caterers to share details of noteworthy station and buffet offerings. Their answers reflect the trends driving event … [Read more...] about Station Innovation
Taking the Pulse of the Industry
After years of tumult, what’s the business outlook for 2023? CFE asked experts from the catering and restaurant industries to weigh in By Sara Perez Webber The catering and restaurant industries have come a long way since the dark days of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused the biggest disruption ever to the foodservice industry. And while certain challenges … [Read more...] about Taking the Pulse of the Industry
Sweet Endings
Carefully crafted desserts are upsell opportunities that leave guests smiling By Robin Selden, managing partner and executive chef of Marcia Selden Catering I don’t know about you, but I’m often tempted to skip right over a meal to the dessert! It’s amazing to me that no matter how exquisite of a dinner I am served and how full I am after it, I always seem to have room … [Read more...] about Sweet Endings
Mitigate Your Risk
Follow these best practices to help prevent employment liability claims By Kim Gore, HUB International The post-pandemic return to the workplace has brought out the good, the bad and the ugly—including increasing complaints over harassment, discrimination and retaliation. As a consequence, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has been ramping up its … [Read more...] about Mitigate Your Risk
Elevating Events with a Craft Cocktail Bar
Boost revenue and repeat business with a well-run bar serving thoughtfully customized drinks By Chris Tunstall, co-founder of A Bar Above How many weddings have you attended where the bar line was long, and the drinks weren’t that great? The answer is probably “Too many.” A basic bar is a thing of the past; a wedding is made that much more unique with a customized … [Read more...] about Elevating Events with a Craft Cocktail Bar
The Food Rescuers
Working with caterers and other food businesses, Phoenix-based Waste Not makes sure excess meals go to people in need By Sara Perez Webber Long before “sustainability” became a common goal and corporate buzzword, Waste Not has been putting it into practice. The Phoenix-based nonprofit—celebrating its 35th anniversary—works to solve the problem of wasted food. Each … [Read more...] about The Food Rescuers
Cheers to the Holidays
Raise the bar on your holiday libations by following these expert tips and recipes By Sara Perez Webber Holiday events are right around the corner. Will your bar menus get guests in the spirit? If you need inspiration, follow these tips from the experts for making and serving extra-festive refreshments during fall and winter holiday events. Welcome Guests with … [Read more...] about Cheers to the Holidays
Bringing Your “A” Game to Away Games
It takes a winning attitude and lots of preparation to hit a homerun with an off-premise event By Sara Perez Webber Successful caterers and event planners know how to execute events in the most challenging of locations but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. From weather to difficult terrain to Murphy’s Law – anything that can go wrong will go wrong – obstacles abound. To … [Read more...] about Bringing Your “A” Game to Away Games