A good catering business requires a good set of catering equipment for banquets and functions. The right equipment will ensure that the staff will not spend too much time tinkering with the equipment just to make them work. Instead, they can focus on offering guests and clients a better gastronomic experience and make sure they come back again and again.
Having reliable and properly functioning equipment is very critical for this business, so you have to consider some critical factors. When buying catering equipment in Kent, here are some of the things you need to take note of.
Look for Suppliers With a Complete Inventory of Products
For starters, look for an equipment supplier that can offer you a complete inventory of everything you will need to start your business. If you can afford it, it is better to buy brand new items and invest in top-of-the-line brands. You will be using these items extensively for a long period, and the better brands will last longer than the cheaper ones.
Consult with various suppliers and equipment providers and start with the essentials. You can always add more items as you go. As you continue serving clients and offering banquet functions, you will find out what new equipment and appliances should be added to what you already have.
It will be ideal and more convenient if you will be able to order new items from the same supplier. This will save you time and the effort of scouting and checking the credentials of a new company all over again.
Check the Services and Features They Offer
After you have found a catering supplier that matches your needs, inquire about the services and support they offer. Some suppliers offer deep discounts, warranties and guaranteed after-sales service including catering equipment repair.
For your convenience, the equipment supplier can pick up large and often bulky pieces of equipment that need servicing and deliver them back to you after they are done. Over time, the appliances may also need to be updated or outfitted with additional features and parts. If your equipment supplier can handle all of these tasks for you, you have struck gold.
When breaking in new equipment, it is also ideal to set up a meeting with the supplier for a thorough demonstration of how things work. Some brands of appliances or equipment work differently than others or have varying settings or modes. A walkthrough will be a great help to your staff and personnel so they can be properly oriented on how to use the machines. This will prevent costly mistakes and possible accidents in the workplace.
Building a good relationship with your equipment supplier is an important part of running a successful catering business. Communicate with them face-to-face. Invite them to company events and attend their functions, too. It may take some time before you find the right one, but keep looking and asking for referrals. Be diligent in doing interviews and look for reviews and testimonials from other customers.
