Every catered event is different, but the objective remains the same: serve great food and beverage, and deliver the best possible service. No matter what, caterers are sure to only use the latest and greatest to make their job easier and their service memory-making.
While it may seem that some of these items are a little unexpected to be in the catering business, these go-to tools can help caterers in every setting.
Table of Contents
Catering Ice Cubers: The Essential Cool Factor
Cool, refreshing beverages are a must-have for any event, and there’s nothing worse than running out of ice. Catering ice cubers provide a simple, dependable way to make sure drinks are at the perfect temperature without the need for traditional ice storage.
Ice cubers aren’t just simple ice trays. These devices produce restaurant-quality ice quickly, relieving caterers from the need to constantly send runners for bags of ice. They’re also small, making them great for any size gathering.
Guests and attendees will appreciate caterers who have the ability to be present at the event instead of running around making sure their drinks are properly chilled.
Portable Induction Cooktops for On-the-Spot Cooking
The next tool no caterer can live without? The portable induction cooktop. When live cooking is needed or to reheat food on the go, portable induction cooktops are efficient and compact — perfect for caterers.
Induction cooktops work well with a variety of foods. Saute, make soups or tea — no matter what you need, an induction cooktop is there to help. They’re also great for keeping food warm and ensuring that every dish is served at the correct temperature.
Collapsible Food Storage Containers for Flexibility
Space issues are a common setback for caterers. No matter if it’s a lack of room in the food truck for storage containers or storing food in a small venue, there’s just never enough space. That’s where collapsible food storage containers come in. These containers are durable, food-safe and perfect for when there’s no room to store more than a few empty containers.
Collapsible food containers make storing pre-cleaned dishes simple, perfect for when there’s no room but not the time to wash dishes. They’re also sustainable, eliminating paper-based takeout containers that tend to just be thrown away.
In addition, these containers are durable but lightweight, perfect for storing extra ingredients in the car on the way to the event.
Insulated Beverage Dispensers: Keeping Drinks Ready and Refreshing
What’s a catered event without coffee and tea? Not one that goes off without a hitch. Insulated beverage dispensers keep hot beverages hot and cold drinks cold for hours, guaranteeing that every guest has a great beverage experience.
Unlike typical pitchers, an insulated dispenser can hold more, so you can avoid unnecessary waiting. Spigot dispensers can reduce the need for servers “floating” around and allow guests to serve themselves. Catering teams, in turn, can focus on other operational details.
Portable Handwashing Stations for Hygiene on the Go
In the catering world, hygiene is non-negotiable. Fortunately, portable handwashing stations make it easier to maintain proper sanitation, particularly in outdoor or less traditional venues. They come with a water tank, soap dispenser, and paper towels so servers and cleanup teams can wash their hands even when there aren’t nearby sinks.
Heavy-Duty Trash Compactors for Quick Cleanups
Well-run events are clean events, and commercial trash compactors help make sure it’s that way. In addition, they are especially useful for events with minimal waste disposal options. Because trash can be compressed, you do not have to use additional bags as they save space for larger clean-ups!
Choosing The Right Tools
Having the right tools can make a world of difference. It also can be the difference between an okay event and an amazing one. From catering ice cubers to collapsible merchandising containers and safety supplies, these are the types of things you may not have thought about, but can make a difference in your operations.
So, while caterers might not remember to think of commercial ice machines, the items on this list can take a company from good to great. Investing in some of these out-of-the-box items can provide you with everything you need to operate. You can be ready to take on whatever any event throws at you and can offer guests a superior event experience.
