How to Navigate Catering during The Pandemic?

It's no secret that brides-to-be have had to make some major changes to their wedding planning in the last six months or so. However, there may be some aspects that you don't need to think about right away. What changes have occurred, for example, in catering during COVID-19? Is there any?

For the most part, weddings have made a lot of adjustments in catering due to the corona virus. Let's go through some of them! 

Alignment with state and local guidelines

Many catering providers have had to adapt the way they manage their catering practices as state and local guidelines change. As we all know, state and local policies have changed many times during this pandemic. They will likely continue to change as countries begin to open or close again. This means that gastronomy and gastronomy must adapt.

In some states you can hold meetings with 100 or more people. Elsewhere, it's limited to 10 people or less. Of course, catering companies must adhere to these guidelines and ensure that their guests are as safe as possible! 

Layered food is becoming more and more popular

As COVID restrictions have been put in place, courts are stepping up. Buffets are becoming less popular, although there are still safe ways to prepare them!

Plate by plate nowadays is usually the safest choice for catering at weddings. Why? Because the food is served to the guests directly from the kitchen. 

Family style catering is usually the next safest choice after installation. Family style is a great option if you have a table filled with people who come from the same family or live together. If you have several families at a table, then you should refrain from doing so, because everyone is sharing cutlery.

As for the buffet - they can still be done, but with a lot of caveats. Some catering companies will not do this at all nowadays, so consult them before planning anything.

How can you make your buffet safe during COVID? For starters, catering companies will likely need more staff to monitor guests. They will make sure everyone wears tail masks, restrict tails and maintain social distancing.

They also need more staff to serve food. Unless you're having a very intimate wedding where all guests are comfortable, a self-serve buffet isn't an option right now.

Finally, guests are invited to a table with a buffet. This was common at weddings in the past but will be more common in weddings today. 

Individual catering options

Another catering option to consider is specialty nutrition. This can be a packaged meal for everyone. Or it can be brought to your cocktail hour! Consider individual charcuterie boards for each guest. Very pleasant!

Bar service

Instructions for managing your wedding bar vary by location. In most cases, you can expect to have a plexiglass screen in front of the bartender. You can also expect guests to wear masks at the bar.

Bars are banned in some states (e.g. Massachusetts at the time of writing). In this case, the restaurant must be adjusted. This may include taking drink orders from onsite people and serving waiter-style drinks during cocktail hours.

Preventive measure

One of the most important aspects to consider with changes in hospitality during COVID-19 is the security measures being taken by the hospitality industry now.

Most catering companies have increased their security measures for weddings. They include:

• Face masks and gloves
• Temperature control
• Create secure menus
• Wash hands and disinfect properly
• Forms for employee checks
• & Other

If you ask your caterer about their safety precautions, be sure to ask what they do both on site and in their own facility (if outside catering)!

Rethink appetizers

Lastly, you may be wondering what changes have been made to hospitality during COVID-19 with regards to appetizers and cocktail hours.

The biggest change is that more cocktail hours will be held while guests are seated. While everyone sat at their table, the staff served appetizers and drinks.

Or, as previously mentioned, you can also serve individual entrees! It could even be a plate full of all the different entrees. That way, people don't have to worry about using dipping sauces or taking something out of a regular dish. 

Make sure it happens

After reading all this, you're probably thinking, "This sounds great... but how do you make this plan work?" Prepare. Or, if you hired them before COVID, schedule a meeting with them to make sure they are committed to keeping your wedding safe for you and your guests.

Of course, we always recommend going through a wedding planner to make sure all the plans are in place. As your Wedding Caterer, we can ensure that your Vendor and all of your Wedding Vendors follow state/local guidelines and implement any safety guidelines that you personally wish to apply to your wedding.

If doing this yourself sounds overwhelming, don't hesitate to contact us. La Fiesta Catering promises we can help you!