01 · Planning with myCHEF
Keep catering aligned with the business agenda
Share the event programme with the catering brief. Registration, meeting sessions, networking and presentations create different service opportunities. Food should support those moments: easy-to-eat options for a working break, a more relaxed selection for networking or a seated meal when guests have time to enjoy it.
Confirm who will approve the menu and who will coordinate access on the day. The billing contact may be different from the person at the venue, so include both roles where relevant. If your organisation needs particular supplier documents, purchase-order references or invoice details, raise them before the booking is finalised.
A practical service plan also considers the return to work. Collection, waste handling and clear-down should fit the venue's schedule. When the catering is connected to the agenda and responsibilities are clear, the team can deliver a professional experience without drawing attention away from the purpose of the event.
02 · Planning with myCHEF
Compare the complete proposal
Read the price together with the menu and service scope. Two proposals can have different totals because one includes equipment, staffing or a longer service period that the other does not. Compare them against the same guest count and requirements before deciding which is the better fit.
Check the minimum order, included hours, delivery or transport arrangements and how applicable VAT is shown. If the menu uses a starting price, ask which choices could change it. Premium ingredients, additional stations, extended service and extra hospitality support may need separate pricing.
The written proposal should also explain the payment schedule and the terms for changes or cancellation. Use the terms attached to your booking, as a private occasion and a corporate contract may have different arrangements. A clear comparison gives you confidence in the decision and helps avoid assumptions about what a headline price includes.
03 · Planning with myCHEF
Build the service schedule around your guests
Work backwards from the time guests should begin eating. The team may need access earlier for unloading, setup and preparation, particularly when equipment or several service areas are involved. Share the programme before the menu is finalised so the catering plan can support it.
Identify moments when service should pause, such as a speech, presentation or ceremony. For an office event, confirm the length of each break and whether everyone will arrive at once. For a private celebration, allow for the welcome period and any cake or toast that needs its own place in the sequence.
Agree a contact for changes on the day. Small timing adjustments may be manageable, while a substantial extension can affect staffing and the booked hours. Clear communication helps the team respond sensibly and keeps the food connected to the occasion rather than running on a separate timetable.
04 · Planning with myCHEF
List the equipment before calling the plan complete
Food, kitchen equipment and table items are separate parts of a catering brief. Confirm what the venue supplies and what the catering team needs to bring. Depending on the format, that may include preparation equipment, holding equipment, serving utensils, crockery, glassware or linen.
A photograph of a styled event does not establish what is included in your own package. If you want the same type of table setup or service display, ask for those items to be identified in the proposal. This is particularly useful when the property has limited kitchen facilities or the event uses more than one dining area.
Also agree how equipment will arrive, be set up and be collected. Access restrictions and collection times can affect the plan. A clear equipment list helps the team prepare properly and gives you a practical way to check that the venue is ready before guests arrive.
05 · Planning with myCHEF
A clear brief gives the menu a better starting point
Start with the date, venue and number of guests, then describe how you want the occasion to feel. A working lunch, an evening reception and a family celebration need different menus and service rhythms. Tell us when people will eat, whether they will be seated or standing and which parts of the event you would like myCHEF to handle.
Include essential dietary requirements and the facilities available at the venue. A brief does not need to be long, but it should distinguish what is essential from what would simply be nice to have. If you have a spending range, share it alongside the scope so the proposal can prioritise the right elements.
We can then discuss a suitable format, food selection and staffing plan. Your written proposal brings those decisions together, giving you a clear reference for what is included before you confirm the booking.
06 · Planning with myCHEF
Finish with a clear handover and collection plan
Good catering continues through the end of service. Confirm which areas the team will clear, what happens to hired equipment and who will receive any final handover. A venue may need the space returned by a particular time, while a private home may have specific instructions for access after guests leave.
Discuss leftover food with the team rather than assuming everything can be packed and kept in the same way. Any handover should follow the instructions appropriate to the food and conditions involved. If you want containers or another arrangement, raise that before the event so it can be assessed.
For repeat bookings, note what worked well and what you would change. Useful feedback on portions, menu choices and service timing gives the next proposal a stronger starting point. A clear finish leaves you with fewer loose ends and helps make the next occasion easier to organise.
Your occasion, thoughtfully planned
Tell us what you have in mind.
Share your date, venue, guest count and menu preferences. We’ll discuss the service your occasion needs and confirm the details in a written proposal.
Start your catering enquiry