London 2012 and the True Test of Outside Catering in London
There is no doubt that London 2012 is ‘the big one’ as far as corporate hospitality and corporate catering is concerned. It is the biggest sporting event the country has ever seen, right here on our shores, and featuring the world’s best businesses (and their multimillion pound investment), as well as the best athletes from around the globe too.
It’s not just those big sponsors and Olympic partners that need corporate catering solutions, but the world’s dignitaries, the most important clients - and consumers - alike. The attention of the world as a whole will be on London for that period, like never before. Outside catering is a crucial part of the Olympic hospitality offer. Whilst tickets to the 100m final or the beach volleyball final are sold and pretty much distributed already, the entertainment available to those people watching each event, and the corporate catering packages they receive before, during and after each race or match, are all very much work in progress. The larger global blue chip companies with big events budgets are planning their Olympic event schedules with the help of entire events teams – opening ceremony gala dinners, prematch canapés and champagne receptions, post event meets with athletes and sporting stars, balls and dances, riverside BBQs,the list is endless. And believe it or not, the catering companies that really push the boat out, and excel in creativity, quality and service, are pretty much already booked up! Their Olympic menus are being tweaked, their Olympic uniforms are being designed, even the new event venues that will be cropping up across the city – huge multi floor marquee installations, dining villages, and bars the size of football pitches – are all pretty much signed, sealed and just remain to be delivered.
"Rhubarb" food design Ltd, 525 Burr Road, London SW18 4SQ Tel: 020 8812 3200
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Of course the majority of the outside caterers who will be instrumental in corporate hospitality and corporate catering during London 2012 are very experienced in this field already. Perhaps they have corporate event planning teams in house that already deal with their Olympic business clients. And they certainly have the expertise, with menu designers, front of house managers, sommeliers, cocktail barman, canapé chefs and interior design managers, all employed full time in house and all ready to make their 2012 offer truly breathtaking. Companies such as Create and Alison Price have extensive corporate client lists. And others such as “rhubarb” have their own Olympic consultants who have operated around the world on previous Olympic games and Rugby World Cups too. Other caterers such as Urban Caprice have restaurant experience behind them too – which of course stands them in very good stead when organising outside catering venue support.
However much experience a company has though, however good their team, however many Olympic events they have worked at, or corporate outside catering events they have executed, London 2012 is something else entirely. It is without doubt the biggest catering job the UK has ever seen. And we won’t know which outside catering companies truly succeed until that opening ceremony has kicked off and the gamesare underway. Good luck everyone! Source: Outside Caterers London - Corporate Hospitality UK
"Rhubarb" food design Ltd, 525 Burr Road, London SW18 4SQ Tel: 020 8812 3200
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