01 · Planning with myCHEF
Plan around the occasion and the date
Seasonal celebrations often bring particular expectations about food and timing. Tell us which dishes or traditions matter most to your guests and which elements you are happy to adapt. That helps the menu feel connected to the occasion without assuming every household celebrates in the same way.
Share your preferred date and service time early, especially when the request falls on a widely celebrated day. Availability, ingredients and staffing need to be confirmed for the actual booking. A published menu is a useful starting point, but it should not be treated as a reservation or a guarantee of the same arrangement on every date.
Consider the full schedule, including arrivals, any meaningful moment before eating and the point when guests will leave. The right catering plan combines familiar favourites with a service rhythm that gives people time to enjoy being together.
02 · Planning with myCHEF
Choose a regional direction before expanding the selection
A broad cuisine name can cover many different dishes and traditions. Share the region, flavours or family favourites you have in mind so the chef can build a menu with a clear identity. If there are particular ingredients or preparations you expect, describe them rather than relying only on a familiar dish name.
A focused menu often feels more coherent than a long list of unrelated favourites. Think about how starters, main dishes, sides and desserts complement one another, and how they will be served. The menu should offer enough variety for the group while remaining practical for the kitchen and service format.
Tell us about spice preferences and essential dietary requirements early. These may affect the choice of dishes as well as individual recipes. The final selection can then reflect the food you enjoy with a clear understanding of what will be prepared for your occasion.
03 · Planning with myCHEF
Review ingredient requirements across the whole menu
Include halal requirements in the initial brief and explain any specific expectations about sourcing or preparation. Ask about the proposed ingredients and raise questions about sauces, stocks, desserts or other components that may not be obvious from the menu title.
If your household or organisation has particular expectations about alcohol in cooking, documentation or shared equipment, discuss them explicitly. A general description of a menu cannot replace a specific assessment of those requirements. The culinary team needs to understand what is essential before the selection is confirmed.
This detail does not need to make the menu feel restrictive. Sharing dishes, plated courses and reception bites can all be considered within a clear brief. Review the final choices together so you understand what will be served and how the agreed requirements are reflected throughout the meal.
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.
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