Seasonal Fall Menu Hacks

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Seasonal Fall Menu Hacks

It’s hard to think about fall favorites when the summer is still going strong, but now is the time to start menu planning for upcoming autumn celebrations. And if you are planning on simply dusting off the old menu from last year, think again.

Navigating today’s market may feel more challenging than in most years, so this season calls for creativity and flexibility. Between supply chain blockages and ever-evolving culinary trends, your fall menu deserves a refresh — and we’re here to show you how.

As we head into the cooler months, let’s switch gears and start thinking seasonal with foods and flavors. We have touched on seasonality before, but in a year presenting caterers with countless challenges, it is more vital than ever to lean into seasonal fall ingredients as a way to save money, mitigate setbacks, and satisfy clients’ tastebuds.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you head to the menu drawing board.

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GPO Benefits That No One Tells You About

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GPO Benefits That No One Tells You About

The event industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, causing businesses across the board to look for ways to reduce costs. With an unstable economy, it’s vital to find additional strategies to bring in revenue and raise profit margins. However, even as events have made a comeback, caterers should still be mindful about spending.


One of the most effective ways to do so is by joining a group purchasing organization (GPO) for caterers. A GPO is similar to a mutual fund, but rather than stocks and bonds, caterers join together to buy food supplies. Forming a large group allows businesses to increase their buying power and get better prices due to the high volume of products they purchase.

Bulk orders tend to come at a lower cost than small orders, but you might not need to buy all of your ingredients in bulk if you're a smaller catering company. With a GPO, you can place orders at a discounted rate while only paying for what you need. Though you’re not getting any money back as you would with a rebate program, you will be saving money upfront with each order.

Joining a GPO is a great cost-saving strategy, and there are a variety of benefits when it comes to finding the right GPO for your business. Here’s what you need to know.

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Common Money-Saving Mistakes Caterers Make

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Every business owner should be watchful of their profit margins, but it’s particularly vital for caterers who must balance revenue with significant overhead. A team of experienced chefs and a fully-stocked kitchen don’t come cheap, so it’s wise to employ saving strategies to maximize profits as much as possible.

Yet, saving money can feel challenging in a business with such high liquidity. When the cash flow is always churning, it’s difficult to pinpoint opportunities to cut down on costs and stack savings.

Fortunately, we’ve compiled the five most common mistakes that leave caterers at a loss — and how you can cover up those gaps and grow your bottom line.

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The Road to Miami: Prepping for Catersource: How to Make the Most Out of Attending

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The Road to Miami: Prepping for Catersource: How to Make the Most Out of Attending

As we gear up for Catersource 2019 in beautiful, historic New Orleans, we can’t help but to reflect on the reason for the (conference) season – continuing education, putting in the coveted face time with your partners, and making industry connections. For the catering industry, this is the must-see event of the year, and the benefits are immeasurable.

With any conference, it’s crucial that you take the time to prepare, whether that’s packing the essentials or simply doing your research on the featured exhibits.

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Food Purchasing Trends for September

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Food Purchasing Trends for September

Fall is just around the corner and, with it, comes new food trends in the industry. In years past, caterers have gotten very comfortable with typical autumn fare, like sweet potatoes, beets, and other root vegetables.

However, this year, it’s looking like we’re in for an exciting season of not-so-common ingredients — so, get your creative juices flowing and start planning your fall menus with these considerations in mind.

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