Catering - Definition and Overview

Catering is the business of providing food service at a remote site.

There are two general types of catering. A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle or handcart equipped with food preparation equipment. Mobile catering is common at outdoor events (such as concerts), workplaces, and downtown business districts. An event caterer prepares food in an on-site kitchen and serves it at a dining table or a self-serve buffet. The event caterer is responsible not only for preparing the food but also setting up the dining area and waiting tables. This service is typically provided at banquets, conventions, and weddings. Any event where all the attendees are provided food and drinks or sometimes only hors d'oeuvres is often called a catered event.