Tools for the Challenge continued...

Unique, new dishes that are a little different from the traditional sit-down dinner are another growing opportunity on many campuses. High profile options that regular dining services offer have also proven popular with customers. A flat top Mongolian Grill has been a proven winner for several campus operations. Multiple protein choices, at least two flavorful protein alternatives, like those from Morningstar Farms®, along with several Oriental sauces with a variety of “heat” profiles and seven or eight vegetable choices are great ways to provide both high-quality fresh food and entertainment at the same time.

Williams College Director of Dining Services, Robert Volpi said, “Display cooking can be very important and a great way to provide fresh food with a lot of flavor. You just have to remember to keep the menu simple and manageable. The customers are looking to you to help make their meal a special event. Use your judgment to determine when display cooking is a fun event and when it becomes a distraction from the event. The customer may not always have the experience to make that call.”

Want to put some of these great ideas into action in your own catering operation? Here are a few good tips to keeping your catering operation something your customers, on campus and off, can brag about.

Tips for Successful Catering on Campus:

• Have comprehensive menu ideas ready for your catering customers – some people have never had to choose a menu for a group before; make it easy for them with several menu ideas that fit in with the event, size of the party, location and/or theme.
• Keep popular and proven menu items at the core of your catering operation – when all is said and done, they will still be your most popular items.
• Offer variety in appetizers, entrées and sides including a few vegetarian and vegan alternatives, and have interesting and surprising combinations to recommend.
• Rotate new items onto the catering menu seasonally – don’t forget about new vegetarian and vegan items.
• Provide menu diversity with some international favorites – your menus should reflect your student and faculty body with some popular ethnic specialties.
• Recognize that a big part of successful catering is presentation and timing – display preparation for desserts can end an event with an impressive flourish – or distract attendees from the purpose of the meeting.
• Have fun! – Catering is the place where you get to show off how good your dining services team can be.