Food and beverage is the largest portion of a meeting budget, but most meeting and event planners have no formal background in purchasing and managing this expense. This guide helps event, meeting, and convention planners save money, negotiate contracts, deal with catering managers, and successfully manage the food and beverage aspect of their event. Covering everything from styles of service to on-premise and off-premise considerations to food and beverage contract negotiation, this book is a comprehensive and accessible reference for event planners and students.

In this invaluable reference, The Culinary Institute of America provides all the information that caterers and would-be caterers need to set up and run a successful catering business of any kind. From launching the business, establishing pricing, setting up a kitchen, staffing, and marketing to planning events, organizing service, preparing food, managing the dining room and beverages, and developing menus, it provides detailed guidance on every aspect of the catering business, showing operators how to troubleshoot and creatively solve problems. Illustrated throughout with 50 photographs and 30 black-and-white illustrations, Catering is an indispensable guide for anyone who wants to succeed in this highly competitive field.

For nearly two decades, Off-Premise Catering Management has been the trusted resource professional and aspiring caterers turn to for guidance on setting up and managing a successful off-premise catering business. This comprehensive reference covers every aspect of the caterer's job, from menu planning, pricing, food and beverage service, equipment, and packing, delivery, and set-up logistics, to legal considerations, financial management, human resources, marketing, sanitation and safety, and more. This new Third Edition has been completely revised and updated to include the latest industry trends and real-life examples.

The role of the catering and convention service manager (CCSM) is diverse and must juggle event components. This book imparts authors’ in-depth knowledge of what a CCSM does, what emotional and technical skills are required, how to relate to planners, and execute contracts. It covers communication, food and beverage information, banquet service styles, menu planning, and event space setup standards. Included are best practices of working with nonprofits, social, wedding, association, corporate, VIP, celebrity events, and tradeshows. The authors also discuss how this industry operates within casino properties. Then, the revenue upsell opportunities for all stakeholders, industry accounting, and the paperwork that pulls it all together.

Catering Management, Third Edition gives detailed advice on all the crucial business aspects of on- and off-premise catering. The Third Edition features special new material on non-hotel catering operations—such as small business management and running your own catering operation. It presents fresh information on menu design and pricing, complete with illustrative menu examples and tips for using software tools to create enticing menus.