How technology can revolutionise catering events

Technology is changing the way we live our lives. It has changed how we communicate, learn new things, travel, enjoy entertainment and work. Now, the way we take part in catering events is changing.

Catering Technology in the Events Industry

Catering technology has revolutionised the industry, from event planning and food conceptualisation to serving efficiency and the dining experience.

Although the world of catering is well-known for being ‘people-focused’, technology is teaching us that catering efficiency goes hand-in-hand with the personal human touch.

Here we’ll take a look at how technology is being used to revolutionise catering events and transform a busy industry.

Customer Service

One of the main standouts of catering events is the level of service people receive.

Have you ever attended a wedding and been waiting for your food for too long? Or perhaps the groom is giving his speech and the champagne has yet to be poured?

These are just some of the common mistakes that can happen at catering events. And they don’t go unnoticed.

Technology is transforming the customer service experience. And while it cannot replace the personal interactions that are so essential to a positive dining experience, it can help the process run more smoothly.

Technology is ensuring that customers at catering events receive the speedy service they expect. This is achieved through technological advancements such as electronic menus that allow people to place orders directly to the kitchen, and in-app ordering (where people can order from an app).

These technologies allow individuals to order their meals without having to wait for staff to take their orders. It also means orders can be placed when customers are ready, so they don’t feel rushed into making a decision.

And because these technologies bypass waiters and send orders straight to the kitchen, meals are delivered to the tables a lot faster.

Personalised Meal Recommendations

Food allergies and intolerances are on the rise. From dairy intolerance and gluten sensitivity to nut and egg allergies, catering staff have a lot to be mindful of when preparing and serving food to customers.

Technology is helping to safeguard this process and keep allergens away from sufferers. While human error is common within the catering industry, technology is simplifying food ordering, handling, and delivery processes.

With the help of tools such as in-app ordering and virtual wait staff, technology is expected to evolve into streamlining meal choices for those with allergies and intolerances. It will do this by creating digital menus that add/extract items based on a person’s dietary requirements. This allows for meal suggestions to be tailored to individuals.

Not only does this provide a more personalised experience, it also safeguards against accidental allergen exposure. So, everyone can enjoy your catering event.

Electronic Card Readers

When at a catering event, participants need to be able to pay for their food and drink swiftly. This ensures they can enjoy the event without worrying about how/when to pay the bill.

To host a successful catering event, it’s essential to accept as many payment methods as possible. The easier it is for people to pay you, the sooner you will receive your money and the higher your client/customer satisfaction levels will be.

Thankfully, technology has evolved to the point where card readers now accept multiple forms of payment. This means that whether your customers are paying via credit or debit card, Apple Pay or another digital wallet, they can do so with ease.

It’s simple, convenient, and ensures your catering event can run smoothly.

Staff Training

Technology is transforming staff training and reskilling within the catering industry. From food hygiene certifications to customer service training, technologies such as virtual reality and online courses are already playing a significant role in training the next generation of catering staff.

Utilising virtual reality technology, for example, is becoming increasingly commonplace. This technology immerses trainees in a particular environment. This way of learning is often more memorable than training carried out in a classroom setting and ensures the trainees can make mistakes in a safe space.

Technology being used for educational training is a huge benefit to the catering events industry and is making a big difference in the efficiency and effectiveness of staff training.

Catering Management Software

The work that goes into organising a catering event is huge. From client management and meal planning to seating plans and timing food deliveries correctly, there is a lot to think about.

Catering management software is helping to streamline the often-complicated process of running a successful catering event. Catering management software allows you to manage complex catering events from your own dashboard, allowing you to run a great event and keep your customers happy at the same time.

From the front-end to the back-end, catering management software helps to automate and streamline every element of your catering event, so that you can increase efficiency, keep customers happy, and attract positive reviews.

Catering management technology removes the possibility of human error and ensures every detail of your event is taken care of.

Food Preparation

Trends in catering change frequently. Sometimes it can be hard to keep up. That’s why many restaurants, cafes, and catering companies are utilising the benefits of electronic innovations and having machines do all the food preparation for them.

Do you have to slice 200 tomatoes? Or boil 350 potatoes? Or perhaps you need to make 40 cups of coffee? Automated machines and even robots are being increasingly used to help streamline some of the more time-consuming tasks.

Even kitchen machinery is expected to improve in the coming years, with many machines becoming self-cleaning and some being able to repair their own electrical faults.

Virtual Catering Events

This was a trend that started during COVID-19 when people were in isolation and unable to go to restaurants or socialize with friends. Social gatherings tended to be huddled together around laptops or on FaceTim, where friends and family would catch up over video calls.

Catering companies clocked onto this and started sending out pre-packaged food and beverages. Recipients would either have to cook a meal or make a drink from the delivered ingredients.

Technology has made it possible for people to remain connected even when they’re not physically gathered together. Virtual catering event platforms do a great job of simulating the in-person dining experience from the comfort of your sofa.

Many catering events are being held online, offering benefits such as Q&A sessions with the chef, live chats with authors, or virtual wine tastings led by wine connoisseurs. This allows catering event organisers to reach a much wider audience and enjoy making new foodie connections.

So, there you have it; how technology can and is revolutionising catering events. Embracing these technologies is the way forward. It’s making time-consuming tasks more streamlined, the customer experience better, and the quality of deliverables highly competitive.

We hope the examples we’ve shared in this article get you thinking about the changes you could make to your catering events. Hopefully we’ve inspired you to think a little more about the possibilities technology might introduce.