Hi- I'm new to the site. We have just opened a restaurant and I am trying to get catering contracts and catering menus together. The restaurant is going really well. We are doing upscale/southern fusion. I need advice on my catering menu. From your collective experience, how much can you deviate from your restaurant menu? I have been catering on my own and working with others for the last two years. Where can you find help with establishing contracts? I have been working for "legal" caterers - not necessarily smart ones though. None of them have used any form of contracts. They do not ask for deposits, etc. A bit frustrating. Anyway, I have been searching books and on the internet for sample contracts - on premise, off premise, alcohol, kitchen orders everything. I have Michael Roman's book...no help. Anyone have any advice? Thanks!

By Mbw (Mbw) on Saturday, September 28, 2002 - 12:36 am: Edit

Keep the menu as close to the restaurant as possible. Just add few items, and take out what can't be done gracefully without the restaurant kitchen.

As for the forms if you don't want to write them yourself you may try mugging a culinary student. They often have pre-fab forms, etc.. from school on them. This also may be a good time to invest in catering software. Most of those packages have load lists, order sheets, staffing lists, contracts, etc..

Oh, and one more thing.. no more "ASKING" for deposits for me.

"Your signature, and a 50% deposit, or valid credit card number reserves our services for your event. Final payment is due on or before the day of the event"

The ball is in their court. If they want to book us they need to give a deposit BEFORE we start staffing. Also "Reserves our services" is the softest "Give us money now" I could come up with. Nice and passive.

By Julep (Julep) on Saturday, September 28, 2002 - 01:04 am: Edit

thanks for the response. do you have any experience with the catering software? i have looked into caterease - that was a long time ago. anything new that is user-friendly and not too expensive? in my research before, i found some in the 300 dollar range and some that cost around 1000. thanks -

By Hilary (Hilary) on Saturday, September 28, 2002 - 10:23 pm: Edit

We are a full-service catering company and we use Caterpro for our catering software and Peachtree for our accounting. I don't recall how much caterpro costs as be purchased it in 99... the upgrades are around 225.00 or so per year. You should be able to find them on the web.. or you can email me directly and I will pass on the information to you.
I would be happy to pass on copies of our contracts.. we have 3 - One for corporated drop-offs, one for social events and one for weddings.
Just my two cents worth..
Good Luck

By Cater2002 (Cater2002) on Thursday, October 03, 2002 - 11:11 pm: Edit

I use a "Assignment of contract" but this is not sufficient and it is too leagal to some of my customers.

Please forward me a copy too