There certainly isn’t a lack of supplies and equipment available to make a caterer’s life easier. If money is tight or you are just starting out, then you may be wondering what you absolutely need to get started. The following items are important because they allow you to transport food safely and keep it at the serving temperature you want. And as many caterers know, that is half the battle.
Holding Cabinets
Holding cabinets are essential because they are used for a lot of tasks. You can store multiple trays of food in the cabinets, and keep them at a preset temperature. Once you are ready to transport the food, industrial steel caster wheels allow you to move the whole unit with the trays inside, all while retaining the ideal temperature. Holding cabinets come in different sizes to fit your needs. Undercounter models are compact and easy to move around, while large models are roughly the size of a residential refrigerator.
Chafing Dishes
It’s difficult to pull off a successful catering business without at least a couple of chafing dishes. These are so handy they are purchased by families who entertain in their homes often. Chafing dishes are large serving trays with lids used for serving food. The food can be kept warm with either candle burners or an electrical source. Cold food, like fruit and desserts, can also be served in chafing dishes placed over a pan of ice. They come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes to hold everything from soup to lasagna.
Catering Cart
Catering carts, sometimes called utility carts, are useful for moving catering supplies, drinks and sometimes plates of food. They usually have open shelves so that items can be loaded and unloaded with ease. Catering carts can be used to deliver drinks and condiments from table to table. If your event is a far distance from the kitchen, then catering carts are a must.
