In the May/June 2020 issue, Catering Magazine asked seven seasoned caterers how they were “Weathering the Storm” in our cover story about the devastating business impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To mark the first issue of Catering, Foodservice & Events, we followed up with three of those caterers to find out how they’re faring and their predictions for 2021. Here’s what they had to say.
1. What are the most important business decisions you made last year to help your company best weather the events of 2020?
Early on we came to the conclusion that in order to survive the pandemic, we were going to have to commit to adapting. And that’s what we did. The creativity and dedication of our team has allowed us to continue to offer interesting fare, festive beverages and unique experiences. It is because we are flexible and willing to work with our clients to find safe solutions that we quickly became the go-to for virtual events, from pulling off one of the first in St. Louis in April 2020, to planning others well into 2021.
2. Have you made any recent adjustments or decisions for your business to prepare it for the new year?
Over the last several months our leaders have been involved in a new program called MIBE Tribe [Make It Better Everyday]. We believe that by improving our own experiences internally, we can improve offered experiences externally. So, our new “Make It Better Everyday” mantra is already seeping into every corner of the business as we improve how we function, create and provide quality to our clients. For starters, I’ll be sending a quarterly letter to our clients to give an inside look at how we’re evolving, explain any new developments within our safety protocols and, of course, open up the opportunity for them to provide their feedback on how we can best serve them [to read the first letter, go to butlerspantry.com/a-note-from-rick].
3. How are bookings looking for 2021?
The second half of 2021 is certainly bright. We are seeing an increase in entertaining as we get into the second quarter, as this is when people are booking events outdoors on patios, terraces and lawns. So, while we’re anticipating a different buying environment, we are still going to be busy! In addition, one of our exclusive venues, The Coronado, is almost completely sold out when it comes to Saturday business. That’s incredible.
4. Overall, what’s your outlook for the catering industry for this year and beyond?
We’re looking at a return to entertaining as a marathon, not a sprint. We recognize that there will be a slow return to “how it once was.” But we also know that there are plenty of reasons and ways to celebrate in the meantime. For example, in recent months we have been planning more hybrid events, where clients can utilize technology with our venues to entertain a virtual and in-person audience. So whether we are facilitating in-person or virtual events, we will continue to adapt our creative offerings to ensure that people can celebrate safely…and fabulously!
To read the rest of the responses, read the full article here.