Business lunch or client meeting “how to” ultimate guide

Never underestimate the power of catering when hosting a client meeting or business lunch. Especially valuable if you’re meeting people considering doing business with you, a quality lunch catering choice sets a high standard for your first impression and helps create connections with your clients. Because really, what better way is there to connect with another human being than over food?

Of course, we’re not talking about working lunches with sandwich platters and salad boxes from the cafe around the corner for your lunch catering. You must provide something extra to convince a client to get on board or say yes to that proposal (or impress those shareholders). While lunch catering won’t necessarily make or break your client relationship, it can skyrocket your reputation and make an impression.

From the “why should you” to the “what to think about”, here’s the ultimate guide to catering a corporate lunch event or client meeting.

Define the Purpose and Objective

When planning a work lunch, it’s essential to define the purpose and objective of the event. This will help guide your decisions on venue, catering, and overall tone of the lunch. Ask yourself:

• What is the primary goal of the lunch? Is it to build team morale, discuss business strategies, or entertain clients?
• Who will be attending the lunch? Are there any dietary restrictions or preferences that need to be considered? Special diets, vegetarian or gluten-free, for your working lunch.
• What is the desired atmosphere for lunch? Formal, informal, or a mix of both?

By clearly defining the purpose and objective of the lunch gathering, you can ensure that the event is well-planned, effective, and enjoyable for all attendees. Whether aiming to foster team spirit, impress potential clients, or brainstorm new ideas, having a clear goal will help you make the right choices for your businessman’s lunch.

Corporate catering with a private chef.

Corporate catering

Lunch catering with a private chef offers your team a unique and personalized dining experience. It allows for customized menus that cater to specific dietary needs and preferences, ensuring everyone is satisfied. Additionally, having a private chef can elevate the overall atmosphere of your corporate event, making it more memorable and enjoyable for all attendees.

Corporate lunch catering with a private chef provides exceptional service to those looking for various options. Our chefs love to create dishes, and every menu they construct is exclusively for your taste buds.

Why get lunch catering for business lunches or client meetings?

You’ve had your fair share of good meals when you’re a busy executive, shareholder, or investor. You’ve been wined, dined, and tried the best restaurants in town; it takes a lot to make an impression. Wraps and salads will do the trick to keep you full, but they lack the oomph you’re used to.

Of course, when we put it that way, organising catering for that big client meeting, staff lunches, or corporate event can be stressful. But it doesn’t have to be! Here’s why organising corporate catering can make all the difference.

By hosting a working lunch, you can make a good impression

Lunch catering is a demonstration of a company’s reputation. Consider the difference between bringing in catering from a fast food joint or a sushi platter versus catering served by the waitstaff and cooked fresh on-site. Both do the trick but give off two completely different impressions of your business.

When you’re hosting shareholders and executives, you want to ensure they’re given a quality spread that’s as good (or better) than those fancy restaurants they love to dine in. Planning your next corporate event with a diverse and appealing menu tailored to various dietary needs can ensure seamless execution and elevate the overall experience.

You can have the restaurant experience without the time-wasting

Many meetings with clients and business lunches are held in restaurants, where executives can talk business while others cook and serve. However, leaving the office to eat out can be time-consuming when you consider Uber trips and the wait for food to be cooked. A working lunch in your office can offer a more efficient alternative, providing convenience and saving valuable time.

Private chef catering can provide the restaurant experience right in your boardroom, with glassware, silverware, and well-trained waitstaff. In fact, at CHEFIN, we offer an in-house personal chef to cook and prepare your meals on-site. It doesn’t get any fresher than that!

You can do more with a lower budget on your next working lunch

When lunch catering isn’t your forte (i.e. you’re not a caterer for a living), it can be hard to figure out what to do with the budget for a corporate lunch event, client meetings, or working lunches. However, working with a corporate caterer can stretch your dollars a lot more.

Professional caterers know how to work with different budgets so that you get more bang for your buck. A small budget can be distributed to create a boardroom smorgasbord full of fine foods and ingredients, using the money creatively that you could never have considered yourself.

You can easily cater for all diets and requirements, including gourmet canapes and finger food.

If you’re hosting a bunch of picky eaters or clients who need special diets, you must ensure you cater for them without compromising on quality. Consider incorporating it into your finger food for a versatile and nutritious option. That big shareholder who eats vegan and gluten-free? You’d better hope you’re serving them more than just a dry salad.

Hiring a corporate caterer is a tremendous help when dealing with a full spectrum of dietary requirements and boardroom bosses who are used to eating the best of the best. You’ll have peace of mind that the paleo vegan meal requested by the client is delicious, well-made, and sure to impress.

Choose the Right Venue

Selecting the right venue for your corporate lunch is crucial to its success. Consider the following factors:

• Location: Is the venue easily accessible for all attendees? Is it close to your office or other relevant locations?
• Capacity: Can the venue accommodate your guest list comfortably?
• Ambience: Does the venue align with the desired atmosphere of the lunch?
• Amenities: Can additional amenities, such as audio-visual equipment or catering services, enhance the event?

Some popular venue options for corporate lunches include:

• Conference rooms or meeting spaces
• Restaurants or cafes
• Outdoor spaces or parks
• Hotels or event centres

Choosing the right venue sets the stage for a successful luncheon meeting. Whether you opt for a sophisticated restaurant, a cozy cafe, or a professional conference room, ensure it aligns with your event’s goals and provides a comfortable and conducive environment for your attendees.

How do you organise the next working lunch?

Are you convinced that corporate catering is the way to go? Good on you – enjoy that peace of mind and free time while the caterer takes care of business. Here’s how to make sure that your catering is a success. Lunchtime events also necessitate a flexible approach to catering, offering a range of meal solutions tailored for various gatherings.

1. Confirm your budget with the boss

Ordering business catering is exciting. You can browse through all these mouth-watering menus and start dreaming about all the leftover food that will come your way once the business meeting ends. But before you get too excited, make sure you’ve confirmed your budget with the big boss. Planning for your next working lunch can ensure a stress-free and successful event.

If it’s up to you to determine the budget, here are some things to consider beforehand:

1. What type of meeting is it? Are you establishing a new relationship with a client, impressing important shareholders, or trying to retain a client who may want to leave? This can help set the tone for how much money it is worth spending on corporate catering.
2. Who’s on the guestlist? Is this a small boardroom lunch for the CEO and investors, a big affair with the whole office, an event for a team visiting from out of town, or a lunch with VIPs who need to be shown a good time? Considering this will help you know how impressive the food should be and how much money to spend.
3. What’s the purpose of the food? Are you catering the business meeting to have finger food, or is the meeting happening throughout lunch or dinner time and therefore needs something more substantial? Is it an all-day affair that requires brain fuel and energy-rich foods, or more of a small meeting that could be done with a few snacks?

2. Consider your space

Knowing where the next working lunch will be held can help you determine what kind of corporate catering to order and how to serve the food, including options for working lunches. Will people eat in a boardroom, on a rooftop, in a large space, or in a smaller room? Is it an all-day meeting, an hour-long chat, or a half-day affair? Will people be working in the same space or locked away in private rooms, coming out only to eat?

Thinking about the space will help you (and the corporate caterer) understand how to prepare and serve the food best. This could be in shared platters, individual boxes, a sit-down dinner, or a self-serve station. Again, the caterer can work with you to organise the best way to distribute food, but thinking about it before speaking to them will make a difference in organisation and planning.

3. What time of day will the meeting be held?

To impress clients with food, you must satisfy their cravings. Rice paper rolls are a great option for a light and nutritious meal to keep things exciting and healthy. And that’ll be a different meal in the morning than in the evening.

If the client meeting is hosted earlier in the day, go for breakfast foods; at lunch, if you want something more substantial; and at dinner time, have a hearty and warm meal that’s not too large. You’ll wish to canapes, finger foods, or grazing tables between those.

It’s also a good idea to consider the weather and the season. Is it raining outside or a beautiful summer’s day? Is it the time of day to have coffee and tea (and so, you’ll probably want some pastries on hand?)? Is it a longer meeting that might go into the night and do better with a buffet?

4. Mix things up and have some fun

The beauty of bringing in corporate catering from CHEFIN is that you have access to your talented chefs, each with various specialties, cuisines, and skill sets to showcase. If you often host the same client or group in your office, serving them the same old thing may get boring every time. So mixing up your corporate catering with different cuisines or themes can make a difference in keeping those clients happy and impressed. The corporate catering option offers flexibility for networking luncheons, business meetings, and team gatherings.

Go for Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiian, or Italian cuisines. For clients who are a bit funkier and down to try something different, could a dining experience be the trick to impress them? Australia Day is the perfect time to graze on native Aussie cuisine with local and Indigenous ingredients, and summer is the best time for a delicious barbecue.

Coordination and Communication with the Catering Service

Once you’ve selected a venue, it’s time to coordinate with the catering service. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth and successful experience:

• Communicate your menu preferences and dietary requirements to the catering service.
• Discuss the event logistics, including setup, serving, and cleanup.
• Confirm the details of the catering service, including the number of guests, serving style, and timing.
• Ask about any additional services that may be available, such as waitstaff or equipment rentals.

Some popular catering options for working lunch include:

• Gourmet sandwiches and finger food
• Healthy fresh salads and wraps
• Grazing platters & gourmet canapes
• Corporate catering services that offer customized menus and event planning

Effective communication with your catering service ensures that all your needs are met and that the event runs smoothly. From gourmet sandwiches to bento boxes, choosing the right catering options can elevate your corporate lunch and leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Corporate Lunch Etiquette and Tips

To ensure a successful and enjoyable working lunch, consider the following etiquette and tips:

• Encourage mingling and networking among attendees.
• Keep the conversation light and professional.
• Avoid discussing sensitive or confidential topics.
• Use the opportunity to build relationships and establish connections.
• Consider sending a follow-up email or survey to gather feedback and thank attendees.

Some additional tips for hosting a successful corporate lunch include:

• Plan and allow plenty of time for setup and preparation.
• Consider hiring a professional emcee or facilitator to keep the event on track.
• Have a backup plan in case of unexpected weather or other disruptions.
• Follow up with attendees after the event to thank them and gather feedback.

By adhering to proper etiquette and planning, you can create a corporate lunch that is both professional and enjoyable. Encourage networking, keep conversations appropriate, and follow up with attendees to ensure a positive and productive experience.

Consider your clients impressed

At CHEFIN, we’ve catered to hundreds of corporate events, business lunches, and client meetings, and we know our way around a boardroom lunch or two. Our professional team can help you organise corporate catering made fresh on-site by a private chef and deliver food with professional waitstaff, table settings, and anything else you need to replicate that fine-dining experience in the boardroom.

Best of all, our chefs create a customised menu every time. Whatever your needs and desires, we can help bring them to life! Get in touch with our team now and let’s make an impression.