R.G.Kar Medical College, West Bengal50 caterers near you

The catering profession is accessible from several levels of qualification, the minimum of which is a level V diploma such as a CAP (vocational training certificate) in cooking or a CAP (vocational training certificate) in pork butchery and catering - the complementary mention (MC) in catering is a plus which allows you to quickly have a position of responsibility. One notch above the CAP, which is prepared in two years after the third year, there are level IV diplomas such as the BP cook, the BP pork butcher and caterer, the Bac pro butcher, pork butcher, caterer and the Bac techno hotel industry - the MC reception organiser is a specialisation which opens more doors. At a higher level - a level III diploma - there is the BM caterer-reception organiser, the BTS hotel and catering option B culinary art, art of the table and service, as well as the MOF caterer and butcher. It is also possible to obtain a CQP caterer-reception organiser after a CAP in cooking and several years' experience.

The event caterer works as part of a team to meet all the requirements of private, professional or official clients. Together with his team, he supervises, sets up, restocks and dismantles a buffet after having presented different dishes to the guests during a tasting session - this is especially the case for weddings and large corporate parties. In the case of a buffet, the caterer can also deliver the dishes so that the guests can dispose of them and serve them as they wish. The caterer can also assist his clients in choosing the meal, menu and so on for various events by offering them additional services: room and furniture hire, taking care of logistics, etc. Basically, a catering service is organised around 4 main areas - Culinary production: production of dishes and other items, preparation of the staging, packaging of products, etc. - Planning and organisation: advice, event planning, organisation of ancillary services (decoration, room hire, entertainment equipment, etc.), choice of additional suppliers, etc. - Reception management: preparation of the order (production, packaging and delivery), setting up the venue, transporting and unloading the products, setting up the buffet and tables, organising the bar, etc. - Commercial management and operations: stock and supply management, development of a marketing approach and a commercial offer, etc.

Using a catering service allows you to take care of many of the tasks involved in organising an event. You can then concentrate fully on the reception and take care of the guests so that they can be as comfortable as possible.

To find a caterer, there is nothing simpler than to go through a directory such as StarOfService, which provides various craftsmen able to meet any request. The search steps are simplified and it is easy to get in touch with an event caterer in your region or city.

The cost of a caterer varies according to the client's needs. For the organisation of a cold buffet, for example, you will have to count from 15 €/pax, while for a company event including additional services, the average cost is 90 € per person. For a cocktail party, you should expect to pay around 12 € per person for an aperitif and 30 € for a more substantial cocktail party. Seated meals generally cost between 15 € and 40 €/pax.

Organising an event requires considering different elements and the meal part is one of the most stressful. This is where the event caterer comes in, as he can take care of everything. In order to choose the caterer, it is recommended that you draw up a set of specifications that will allow you to identify your needs and communicate them more easily to the service providers. The caterer must understand the expectations of his clients and their needs, and what they really want. It is important that the feeling passes otherwise the collaboration may not work. Secondly, the choice of the right provider is undoubtedly based on customer reviews and recommendations. It is very important to pay attention to this part and you can easily find them on social networks or in your circle of friends. This makes it easier to sort through them.

- What is your scope of activity and how much will it cost to travel to the venue? - What do you plan if guests cancel at the last minute or are added? - What are your plans in case of problems with the service, the menu or the transport of the products? - Is it possible to pay for the service in instalments? - Do you offer insurance in case of cancellation?