Starting a catering business involves much more than having a good menu. You also need the right equipment to prepare, transport, serve and present food professionally. A well-planned list of equipment needed for a catering business will help you avoid unnecessary purchases while making sure you are properly prepared for your first events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the easiest ways to keep start-up costs under control is to hire equipment rather than buy everything immediately. At easyEventhire<\/a>, we supply catering equipment, furniture, tableware, refrigeration, food presentation equipment and much more for events of all sizes. Hiring also gives a new catering business the flexibility to take on larger or more varied events without investing heavily in equipment it may only use occasionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are putting together your first list of equipment needed for a catering business, the sections below cover the main items you should consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your exact list of equipment needed for a catering business will depend on the type of food you provide, the number of guests you typically serve and whether you prepare food on-site or in a separate commercial kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, most catering businesses will need equipment covering cooking, refrigeration, serving, table settings, beverages and event furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reliable cooking and serving equipment is at the heart of any catering operation. Depending on your menus, you may need ovens, hot cupboards, induction hobs, serving trays, utensils, chafing dishes and other equipment that keeps food at the correct temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For occasional events or additional capacity, cooking and serving equipment hire<\/a> can be far more practical than purchasing everything yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your list of equipment needed for a catering business should also include smaller items such as tongs, ladles, serving spoons, chopping boards and preparation containers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food safety means maintaining correct temperatures throughout preparation, storage and service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Commercial refrigeration is therefore another essential part of the list of equipment needed for a catering business. You may require upright fridges, under-counter refrigeration, bottle coolers or freezers depending on what you serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For temporary kitchens, weddings and outdoor events, fridge and freezer hire<\/a> can give you extra chilled storage exactly when you need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plates, bowls, side plates and serving dishes are essential for most seated catering events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather than buying hundreds of matching pieces, many caterers use crockery hire<\/a> so they can adapt the quantity and style of tableware to each event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Crockery should therefore feature prominently on your list of equipment needed for a catering business, particularly if you plan to cater for weddings, dinners or corporate events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will need suitable cutlery for every course being served, including knives, forks, dessert spoons, teaspoons and specialist pieces where required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using cutlery hire<\/a> means you can select styles that match different events without storing large quantities between bookings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your list of equipment needed for a catering business should also account for drinks service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the event, you might need water glasses, wine glasses, Champagne flutes, tumblers and specialist glasses. Glassware hire<\/a> makes it easy to order the right quantities for each guest list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tea and coffee urns, water boilers, drinks dispensers and bar equipment can all be useful additions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you regularly provide refreshments, include suitable beverage service equipment in your list of equipment needed for a catering business. easyEventhire offers a wide selection of beverage equipment hire<\/a> for conferences, weddings, parties and other events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Presentation can make a huge difference to how guests perceive your catering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buffet displays, serving stands, platters, cake stands and presentation pieces help make food look attractive while keeping service organised. Explore food presentation equipment hire<\/a> if you want to change your presentation style from event to event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not every venue provides suitable tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Catering businesses may need preparation tables, buffet tables, dining tables and occasionally poseur tables. Table hire<\/a> allows you to add exactly the number and type required for an event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tables are therefore an important part of any complete list of equipment needed for a catering business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are supplying a complete event setup rather than just the food, seating becomes essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With chair hire<\/a>, you can choose styles appropriate for formal dinners, weddings, conferences and parties without having to own and store hundreds of chairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some events require more informal seating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stool hire<\/a> works particularly well around bars and poseur tables, while bench hire<\/a> can be useful for relaxed receptions, festivals and outdoor gatherings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your catering company provides complete event packages, these should also feature on your list of equipment needed for a catering business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good table linen immediately makes an event look more polished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may require different sizes and styles depending on your tables. Tablecloth hire<\/a> and napkin hire<\/a> let you match the table setting to the style and scale of each event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caterers working at garden parties, festivals, summer weddings and corporate events may also need outdoor seating and tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding outdoor furniture hire<\/a> to your options allows you to support clients holding events in marquees, gardens and other temporary venues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your catering service includes wine tastings, drinks receptions or bar service, specialist bar equipment may also be useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\nList of equipment needed for a catering business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cooking and serving equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fridges and freezers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Crockery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cutlery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Glassware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Beverage equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Food presentation equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tables<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Chairs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stools and benches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tablecloths and napkins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Outdoor furniture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wine tasting and bar equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n