Catering

Catering refers to the professional provision of food and drink at any location. The scope of service ranges from delivering pre-produced dishes to setting up a temporary service area for complete gastronomic support, including logistics, equipment, decoration and service staff.

Specialised and full-service providers

Catering companies can be divided into specialised providers (for example for wedding or business catering) and full-service providers. Full-service providers such as egora cover a broad spectrum and coordinate all operational tasks centrally, so that customers receive the entire service from a single source.

Business areas in catering

• Business catering: company celebrations, seminars, product presentations, conferences, trade fair and team events
• Party service: private celebrations such as birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, often with on-site preparation
• Event catering: festivals, concerts and sporting events with precise logistics
• Care catering and community catering: hospitals, care homes, schools and universities
• Transport catering: catering on aircraft, trains and ships

Care catering and special standards

In care catering, there are high requirements for dietary guidelines and hygiene. Special diets such as gluten-free, lactose-free or low-sodium food and adapted consistencies are necessary. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) offers quality standards for catering in hospitals.

Catering versus party service

Catering is the overarching term that encompasses party service as well as other forms. Party service focuses on private, often less complex celebrations and usually delivers pre-produced food, whereas catering also covers extensive services such as staff and event organisation.

Costing and presentation

Billing is based on effort or as a flat fee; the costs consist of fixed and variable components, with VAT rates of 7% or 19% potentially applying. Popular forms of presentation include buffet, flying buffet, finger food, set menus as well as show cooking and live cooking.