What is catering? Everything about meaning, types & procedure

1. What does catering mean? An overview

“Catering” — a term that many associate with event service, buffets and party planning. But what exactly does catering mean?

At its core, catering stands for the professional provision of food and drinks — mostly outside of traditional restaurants. The catering team delivers, prepares, presents and supervises the culinary supply of guests — regardless of location.

📌 Definition briefly explained:
Catering is the commercial delivery and/or preparation of food and drinks for private, business or public events.

Whether at weddings, business events or trade fairs — the caterer ensures that the food tastes good, looks good and is served smoothly.

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2. Catering definition in today's language

The word “catering” comes from the English verb “to cater”, which translates as much as “to feed someone” or “to care for someone.” In today's everyday language, however, it means much more:

✅ Planning & conception of culinary processes
✅ Food production & delivery
✅ Local service, e.g. by waiters or kitchen staff
✅ Assembly & dismantling, including crockery, furniture, technology

The term is no longer just common in the event industry — canteens, food trucks or school catering are also referred to as “catering.”

Catering vs. restaurant — What's the difference?

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📌 Tip: If you're planning to host an event and are considering whether a restaurant or a caterer is a better fit — you'll find out more about it below in the article.

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3. What does a caterer do? An overview of the tasks

A caterer is much more than just “someone who brings food.” He is a planner, host, cook and logistician in one person — or part of a well-organized team.

Typical tasks of a caterer:

• 📞 Advice & offer preparation
• 📝 Menu planning & organization
• 🍳 Preparation & cooling/keeping food warm
• 🚚 Transportation to event location
• 🍽️ Set up the buffet or flying service
• 👨🍳 On-site service: kitchen, service staff, cleaning
• 🧼 Post-processing: dismantling, rinsing, removal

What is a caterer NOT?

• Not a classic chef in a fixed kitchen
• No restaurant operator with tables & cards
• Not an organizer in the comprehensive sense (but often part of it)

📌 Tip: Many caterers today also offer full-service solutions — including event planning, technology, decoration & furniture.

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4. The history of catering — from farm supplier to professional service

Catering is not a modern invention — on the contrary: Even in ancient Rome, there were specialized providers for banquets, large parties or political receptions.

A brief historical overview:

• Middle Ages: Royal courts and aristocratic residences commissioned “court chefs” for celebrations
• 19th century: First professional catering company in England & France
• Post-war period: catering for large trade fairs, train stations, airlines
• Today: Billions in industry with specializations such as organic catering, vegan catering, event catering, etc.

Today, modern caterers are not just “kitchen teams on wheels,” but experts in logistics, presentation & culinary storytelling.

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5. Comparing the main types of catering

Not all catering is the same — there are many sub-types, each tailored to different needs.

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📌 Tip: If you are looking for an overview of modern forms such as flying buffets, finger food catering or street food, you will find more about this in the articles on Buffet catering or Finger food catering.

6. What is full-service catering?

Full service catering is the pinnacle of catering. Here, the caterer not only delivers and presents the food, but also organizes the entire event on request.

What does full service include?

✅ Menu & beverage concept
✅ Delivery, assembly & dismantling
✅ Service staff (kitchen, waiter, bartender)
✅ equipment (tables, chairs, glasses, plates)
✅ Decoration & lighting technology
✅ Coordination on site

🎯 Advantage: Organizers only have one point of contact — ideal for weddings, corporate events or gala dinners.

📌 Tip: Many modern providers such as Egora offer exactly this service — with over 100 top caterers and a network of locations, decorators & event planners.

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7. Flying buffet, menu or food truck? Modern forms of catering explained

Today, catering is much more than “buffet on tables.” Modern concepts combine creativity with experience.

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🎯 Modern catering trends:

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📌 Tip: If you're looking for an innovative concept, a flying buffet could be just the thing — read more about it in the guide Flying Buffet Catering.

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8. Catering for various occasions — An overview

Catering is suitable for every type of event — from a small family celebration to an international conference.

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Event-based catering solutions:

• 👰 Wedding: Exclusive menus, reception & dessert stations, midnight snacks
• 🎉 Birthday: finger food, grill buffets, cocktail bars
• 💼 Corporate party: flying buffet, live cooking, vegan options
• 🎓 School & daycare: healthy children's buffet, allergen-free food
• 🏢 Trade fair & conference: wraps, smoothie bars, individual stand catering
• 🎭 Culture & gala: haute cuisine, champagne reception, show kitchen

📌 Tip: Catering providers such as Egora offer tailor-made packages for every occasion — professionally organized and booked with one click.

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9. Catering process: From enquiry to implementation

Professional catering follows a structured process — from initial contact to the last dismantling operation.

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📆 Step-by-step process:

1 ️ Advice & needs assessment (occasion, number of people, budget)
2 ️ Menu suggestions & offer with individual options
3 ️ Conclusion of contract & planning of all details (location, time, equipment)
4 ️ Event day — Delivery & setup by the team
5 ️ Local service & support (food service, refills, drinks)
6 ️ Dismantling & cleaning after the end of the event

🎯 Objective: The customer can fully concentrate on their guests — everything else runs professionally in the background.

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10. Catering and service staff — Who does what?

An event is only as good as the team behind it. In addition to food, staff play a central role in catering.

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👨 ‍ 🍳 Types of catering service staff:

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📌 Tip: full-service caterers don't just offer food — they bring the entire team with them right away.

11. Catering prices — What do the costs depend on?

The question “What does catering cost? “There is no general answer — because the costs depend on several factors:

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📊 Main factors affecting the catering price:

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🎯 Exemplary guidelines:

• 🎉 Simple finger food buffet: from 15—25 € per person
• 🥂 Flying buffet with service: approx. 35—60 € per person
• 🍽️ Full service catering with menu & staff: 70—120+ +

📌 Tip: A professional caterer creates a tailor-made offer that is tailored exactly to your event — from budget to ambiance.

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12. Catering vs. restaurant — Which is better for events?

Many ask themselves: Which is better — book catering or celebrate in a restaurant? The answer depends on the type of event, flexibility, and desired level of service.

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🧾 Comparison: catering vs. restaurant

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📌 Conclusion: Anyone planning an individual experience is usually more flexible and personal when it comes to catering — especially at weddings, company parties or garden parties.

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13. Recognize quality: What should you look for in a caterer?

Catering is a matter of trust — after all, a large part of the success of an event depends on food, service and atmosphere. But how do you recognize a good caterer?

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✔️ Checklist: How to find a top caterer

✅ Check references & reviews (e.g. on Google or social media)
✅ Check the offer for transparency & flexibility
✅ Arrange a trial appointment — many caterers offer tastings
✅ Ask questions about regional & seasonal ingredients
✅ Clear communication & responsive support

📌 Tip: Vendors like Egora offer a pre-selection of certified top caterers, with a suitable variety of dishes for every budget & event.

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14. Catering for special needs — vegan, halal, gluten-free

The world of catering today is diverse — and it must be. This is because guests bring different diets and intolerances.

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🌱 Overview of special catering concepts:

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🎯 Important: A good caterer is familiar with labeling requirements, allergens and hygiene rules — a must for company parties, daycare & school catering or public events.

📌 Tip: If you plan purely plant-based or tailored to specific needs, you will find professional solutions in the area vegan catering.

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15. Conclusion: What is catering & why is it so popular today?

Catering is much more than delivering food — it is a holistic service that combines enjoyment, logistics, planning and design.

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Summary at a glance:

✅ What does catering mean? → Catering with food & drinks at events of all kinds
✅ What is a caterer? → A professional for culinary concepts & seamless service
✅ What does catering cost? → Depends heavily on the size and form of the menu
✅ What to look for? → References, flexibility, quality & communication

Whether it's a company party, wedding or trade fair — anyone planning an unforgettable event cannot ignore good catering.

📌 Tip: If you rely on reliability, diversity & top partners, Egora offers the perfect selection of certified caterers — everything from a single source.