How to Rent Catering Equipment
Catering requires a good deal of planning and organization. All that effort that went into planning a beautiful meal can quickly spin into chaos when you get to the venue and realize you don't have the proper cookware or service to execute your plan. Many beginning or one-time caterers prefer to rent their equipment rather than lay out money to buy professional stock. Here are a few things to plan and look for before signing the rental agreement. Does this Spark an idea?
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Plan your menu strategy. Go through each item on your menu and determine how you will be plating it, and what you will need to do that. You may have a fancy platter for displaying that whole salmon, but do you really want to risk breaking it? This is one of the more time-consuming parts of preparation but it will pay off when you are at the rental counter and don't need to waste time trying to figure out what you really need.
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Determine if you need to rent a larger appliance. Do you need a BBQ or will the venue supply it? Are you making 20 loaves of bread? You may want to consider renting an industrial-style mixer.
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Count the guests and determine what service you will need. A good rental company will have a few different styles of flatware, cups and saucers and plates for rent. Having a solid number of service items ahead of time will help when you want to reserve your first choice.
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Locate a reliable company and visit the premises. Go ahead and call another catering firm and ask them to refer a reputable outfit. Most major metropolitan areas have more than one choice of rental company to choose from. Advertising alone can be deceitful.
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Read the fine print before signing that agreement. Common pitfalls when renting catering equipment include not being clear on when the rental is due back and who is in charge of cleaning. Some companies will clean everything for a fee; others will charge handsomely if things come back less than spotless.
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