2010: Insights and Tips

It's 2010 and this is the perfect time of the year to get a headstart and straighten things out. These are some of the learnings based on almost 3 years in the catering business in Jeddah. You may also treat these insights as tips in planning your own future events.

1. Apart from the caterer, having an event organizer is a good idea, especially during all-out party with all the lights and sounds, games, etc. It doesn't have to be a professional, but who's got organizational tank above his shoulder, as the least of qualifications. A friend or a relative can do the job. This is a sure way to get things done.

2. One of the causes of food getting stale (tama ba? what we mean is pagkapanis) is the customers' inability to give the exact time as to when the food will be served. In the past, our clients asked us to deliver the food at a certain time only to be served to their guests at a much later time. Imagine if the client asks us to deliver and set-up the buffet table at 5PM, that means, the food is being cooked at least 3 hours earlier (with 1 hr travelling time allowance). Tapos, magsimula ang party by 7PM; then they will have to finish all their programs first before serving. Hala! siguro around 10 or 11PM na yon. So if the quality of food deteriorates, we get all the blame...haay!

3. It is never nice to let the guests really go hungry (gutumin ba ng husto! wink! wink!) before serving the food. We notice that people fail to appreciate the food if their principal goal is to fill up their stomach first. We just have the feeling that some orgs officers underestimate their own members; that people cannot focus on the event while eating. This is such an old school!

We don't find anything wrong with doing program while the guests can freely take their meal. The most fun-filled and relaxed events we attended even have their guests eat first before proceeding with the programs. That way, people have more energy to participate in activities. Plus, it's healthier that way.

4. There are only a handful of Filipino groups that provide party needs for Pinoy in Jeddah. This is why when we are asked for referrals such as for lights & sounds, or party clown or magician, we have no choice but to give the name of what we have ready at hand. Minsan lang, we become identified with our 'referees', that when lapses happen, again... we get the blame. Pero ok lang yon. We are not complaining, we just want you to understand.

5. For more than 2 years of blogging with primary purpose of documenting our gigs, the most prevalent comment so it seems is that 'we don't serve other food variances.' We have a four page A4 size menu list (download). In it you will find that we offer 22 selections on beef; 24 on chicken; 19 on seafood; 16 on veggies. We even have 15 japanese selections, 9 pasta, 6 soup varieties, apart from kakanin & salad. We also do customized menu preparations.

Our guess is that people usually choose what they are familiar with, and they would generally rather be safe than experimental.

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