How caterers can boost business in Winter

Capitalising on seasonal celebrations

Winter is packed with celebrations that scream catering opportunities, and knowing your audience is key to tailoring your offerings and hitting the mark. Whether it’s a corporate Christmas party or a cosy winter wedding, every event comes with its own set of needs and expectations. Let’s explore some specific scenarios where catering can shine during the colder months.

Charity Events and Community Gatherings

Winter is also a big season for fundraising galas, community feasts, and church events. The audience here is often diverse – from families to local dignitaries – so flexibility is key.

What Works: Affordable yet impressive menus like hearty soups with artisan bread or sharing platters to encourage community spirit.

Special Touches: Partner with the organisers to add branded touches or themed dishes for the event.

Marketing Angle: Position yourself as a caterer who understands the importance of giving back and creating memorable communal experiences.

Valentine’s Day Dinners

Valentine’s Day is a chance to cater to couples looking for something intimate and romantic. Your audience might include private clients looking to surprise their partner with a catered dinner at home.

What Works: Indulgent, romantic menus featuring items like oysters, steak, or decadent chocolate desserts.

Special Touches: Add-ons like personalised plating, candlelit setups, or even pairing menus with wines.

Marketing Angle: Sell the romance of hassle-free dining with high-quality, love-inspired dishes.

Themed Pop-Ups

Pop-ups are a brilliant way to attract younger crowds who are always on the lookout for new, exciting experiences. This audience thrives on trends and loves sharing their finds on social media, making your pop-up not just an event but an advertisement in itself.

What Works: Unique, Instagram-worthy concepts like a Nordic winter wonderland or a cosy après-ski chalet vibe with hot toddies and fondue.

Special Touches: Limited-time menus or exclusive items to create FOMO.

Marketing Angle: Play up the exclusivity of the event – “Only here for one weekend!” – and use platforms like Instagram to create buzz.

Birthday Celebrations

People have birthdays year-round, and winter is no exception. Whether it’s a milestone 40th or a simple gathering, catering can help turn these events into something memorable. The audience here? Families and friends looking to celebrate together without the hassle of cooking.

What Works: Personalised menus that cater to the guest of honour’s tastes, from hearty comfort food to elegant sit-down dinners.

Special Touches: Offer to theme the catering – think a ski lodge-inspired buffet or a “winter sparkle” dessert table.

Marketing Angle: Emphasise how you can make a special day stress-free and unforgettable with customisable options.

Winter Weddings

Winter weddings are growing in popularity as couples take advantage of the season’s lower venue costs and unique charm. This audience is often looking for something seasonal, romantic, and memorable.

What Works: Seasonal canapés like mini Yorkshire puddings with roast beef, hearty mains like braised lamb, and indulgent puddings like sticky toffee.

Special Touches: Offer seasonal drinks like spiced cider or a bespoke winter cocktail.

Marketing Angle: Highlight your ability to match their winter wonderland vision with food that complements the atmosphere. Consider offering a package deal with cake and catering.

Promoting seasonal and comfort foods

Winter is all about hearty, warming, feel-good food. Think stews, pies, roasted root vegetables, or a cheeky sticky toffee pudding. Seasonal produce isn’t just cost-effective; it also adds a sense of authenticity to your menu.

Make your menus shout winter vibes and use it as a selling point in your marketing. Share photos of steaming dishes and cosy setups on social media. People eat with their eyes first – and who wouldn’t want a bowl of comfort food on a freezing day?

Adjusting to weather impacts

Let’s face it: British winters aren’t exactly known for their predictability. One minute it’s a frosty wonderland, the next, it’s pouring buckets. For caterers, this means planning ahead.

Transport logistics: Make sure your van is winter-ready – tyres, de-icer, the works. Leave extra time for journeys in case the roads are icy.

Food safety: Use insulated containers to keep hot food hot and cold food cold. You don’t want your signature stew arriving lukewarm.

Client communication: Keep customers in the loop. If weather delays are likely, let them know well in advance.

Venue considerations when catering in winter

Winter shifts the focus to indoor venues, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do outdoor events – you just need to prepare.

Indoor Venues: Private event spaces, community halls, or local clubs are great partners. Build relationships with venue managers and offer exclusive catering packages.

Outdoor Events: If your client insists on alfresco dining, suggest cosy solutions like heated marquees, blankets, and fire pits. It’s all about creating a winter wonderland.

Whatever the venue, think about the atmosphere. Warm lighting, candles, and seasonal decor can turn even the plainest hall into a magical setting.

Operational tips for caterers in winter

Running a catering business in winter isn’t just about the food – your operations need to be on point too. Make sure everything runs smoothly despite the cold, shorter days, and unpredictable weather. Here’s how to keep your operations slick and your clients happy.

Simplify your menu

Focus on dishes that can be prepped in bulk and served quickly. This is especially helpful for pop-ups and outdoor events.

Winter menus should focus on hearty, crowd-pleasing dishes that are practical to prepare and serve. Complex, time-consuming items can slow things down and make outdoor events more challenging.

Batch Cooking: Stews, soups, pies, and casseroles are ideal. They’re easy to prepare in large quantities, stay warm longer, and fit the cosy vibe of winter dining.

Pre-Portioned Dishes: Opt for meals that can be portioned in advance – think mini pies, individual soups in cups, or grab-and-go desserts like brownies.

Adaptability: Create a core menu that can be tweaked for dietary requirements or preferences. For instance, a vegetable curry can easily be made vegan or paired with meat for non-vegan options.

Staffing

Make sure your team is ready for winter conditions. Provide gloves, warm uniforms, or even hand warmers for outdoor gigs.

Your team is the backbone of your operation, and winter presents unique challenges for them. From freezing temperatures to managing heavy coats in tight spaces, you’ll need to think ahead to keep them comfortable and productive.

Warm Gear: Provide your team with proper winter uniforms, including thermal layers, waterproof jackets, gloves, and non-slip boots for icy conditions.

Hand Warmers: These are a small but much-appreciated gesture, especially for outdoor gigs. Keep a stockpile of disposable hand warmers to hand out before shifts.

Training: Ensure your staff are trained to handle winter-specific issues, like setting up outdoor spaces in cold conditions or troubleshooting heating equipment.

Flexible Schedules: Weather can throw a wrench into logistics. Build in extra time between bookings, and ensure your staff are prepared for potential delays or last-minute changes.

Plan for shorter days

The lack of daylight in winter affects everything from setup to service. To stay ahead, you’ll need to plan your schedule with these shorter days in mind.

Earlier Start Times: Aim to complete your setups and deliveries during daylight hours. This not only makes navigation easier but also helps with visibility during tricky setups.

Lighting Solutions: If working at an outdoor venue, ensure you have portable lighting to keep the workspace safe and functional after dark. LED floodlights and string lights can create both practicality and ambience.

Time Buffers: Always build extra time into your schedule for winter events. Icy roads, unexpected delays, or equipment malfunctions can happen, so plan for a safety cushion.

Streamline your setup and take-down

Setting up in winter conditions requires extra care. Snow, ice, and cold temperatures can make even simple tasks take longer.

Weather-Proof Your Equipment: Use heavy-duty covers or tarps to protect your gear from snow and rain during transport and setup.

Pre-Pack Efficiently: Pack equipment and supplies in the order you’ll need them for setup. This reduces the amount of time spent rummaging in the cold.

Design for Quick Breakdown: After a long, cold event, a speedy take-down process is crucial. Use stackable containers and pre-labelled crates to pack up efficiently.

Ensure reliable transport

Getting food and equipment from A to B can be a challenge in winter. Roads can be icy, and traffic may be slower due to weather conditions.

Winterise Your Vehicles: Check tyres, keep de-icer on hand, and ensure your van is in top condition for the season.

Insulated Food Containers: Invest in high-quality insulated containers to maintain food temperatures during longer journeys.

Route Planning: Use apps or GPS systems to monitor road conditions and avoid delays caused by accidents or closures.

Building partnerships

Partnering with other businesses can help you reach new clients and offer added value. Think about teaming up with:

Local Venues

Offer to be their go-to caterer for winter bookings.

Event Planners

They’ll bring you clients; you’ll make them look good.

Local Suppliers

Highlighting local ingredients can give your menu an edge and build goodwill in the community.

Pro tip: Look for winter markets or charity events to set up a pop-up. It’s a great way to network and showcase your food to new customers.

Marketing and promotions for winter catering

Winter is the perfect time to shout about your services. Use every tool in your marketing kit to get noticed.

Seasonal Offers

Create special packages for Christmas, New Year’s, or Valentine’s events. Offer early bird discounts or loyalty rewards for repeat customers.

Social Media

Share behind-the-scenes shots, menu highlights, and testimonials from winter events. The more festive, the better.

Email Campaigns

Reach out to past clients with winter menus and promotions. A friendly reminder might be all they need to book you again.

Staying flexible and prepared

If there’s one thing winter teaches you, it’s to expect the unexpected. Whether it’s a snowstorm or a last-minute change from the client, flexibility is key.

Contingency Plans

Have backup venues, suppliers, and equipment on standby.

Insurance

An essential step in financial protection is ensuring you have suitable insurance in place for your catering activities.

Clear Contracts

Make sure your agreements cover winter-specific issues, like cancellations due to weather.

Extra Stock

Keep a stash of non-perishable essentials in case of supply chain hiccups.

Winter might come with its challenges, but it’s also a season bursting with opportunities for caterers who plan ahead. From utilising seasonal menus to partnerships with local businesses, there’s so much you can do to boost your bookings and keep your business thriving.

So, get creative, and make this winter your most successful season yet. And remember – people might forget the cold weather, but they’ll never forget an amazing meal.

*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date.