Some Tips For Catering During The Winter Season

Catering during winter can be challenging, especially at an outdoor venue. There’s always a chance of bad weather as if the cold temperatures weren’t bad enough. But that doesn’t stop organizers from hiring the best Indian catering in NYC. After all, winter is also the season for indulging in comfort food and spreading merriness.

You can handle catering during the cold season with the following tips:

Plan Ahead

Pre-planning can go a long way to make the event a success. Discuss the client’s requirements for the event and how you can meet them. You should also discuss things that can go wrong and create backup plans accordingly. This way you can handle snows, rains, fire and other emergencies.

Keep Food Warm

No one's going to enjoy cold food after waiting in line during this season. Especially if it's an outdoor event. Use the required equipment to insulate the food or reheat it. Make sure that the staff doesn’t overheat the food. Keep the trays covered to ensure that they don’t lose heat.

Use Pot Holders

The heat from the appliances and food trays could damage furniture and coverings. Use pot holders or coasters to protect them from heat.

Serve Seasonal Foods

Many dishes are either traditionally prepared during winter or are in demand due to their ability to warm the body. You should plan your menu to suit the season better. Include warm items like soup, tea, hot chocolate, etc. to entertain your guests and warm them from the inside. The best Indian restaurant in New York serves delicious warm desserts like kheer or ras malai at this time.

Prevent Muddy Floors

Shoes tend to get muddy when walking outside and drag the mud to the venue, both indoors and outdoors. Place mats outside to wipe shoes before entering. Place signs so that guests don’t forget to wipe their shoes before entering. You can also ask your staff to bring an extra pair they can wear inside to avoid making a mess.

Place Safety Signs

You don’t want anyone touching the hot food trays accidentally. Place signs to let guests know that the trays and appliances are hot. Similarly, put signs in slippery areas to let guests know. Identify other dangers and add warnings.

Use Winter Theme In Decoration

If you’re decorating the venue as well, then considering using winter themes like snow patterns in tablecloths, napkins, etc.

Install Hangers

This is especially important for indoor events. Many guests will come in warm layers that they’ll shed inside. Using hangers will be helpful for guests and servers. Guests don’t have to worry about misplacing their coats and servers don’t have to navigate around fallen gloves. It also gives the servers an extra opportunity for a tip.

Take Covid Precautions

Experts all over the globe fear a second wave of the pandemic during the winter. You need to take proper precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. You can learn what to do from the CDC website. These precautions usually include:

- Limiting the number of guests and staff to a certain number.

- Doing temperature checks of staff and giving sick leave to those with fever until they recover.

- Giving sick leave to staff showing coronavirus symptoms until they recover.

- Sanitizing equipment properly.

- Wearing face masks at all times.

- Using gloves when cooking.

- Marking area for social distancing.

And more.

Include Weather Clause In Contract

Roadblocks, snowstorms, etc. are common in many parts of the country and might impact the event. You may include a weather clause to ensure that you don’t lose the paycheck in case the event is canceled.

Offer Weather Insurance

With the risk of losing money due to bad weather, clients may be willing to do business with weather insurance. It will help them reimburse losses due to canceled events or help reschedule it.

Check Local Guidelines

The local authorities might issue storm warnings or guidelines during a bad weather spree. Keep track of them so that you aren’t caught off-guard.

These are just some ways to ensure that your catering service performs smoothly during winter events.