Find venues that suit your catering operation
To get onto a venue’s preferred supplier list, start with venues that allow outside caterers and host events you already handle well. A village hall may need a self-contained buffet team. A marquee site may need an outdoor kitchen and power plan. A conference venue may value timely arrival and quick turnarounds.
Read the venue’s public supplier information, then ask the events team about its requirements. Confirm whether it uses one exclusive caterer, a preferred list or a process for approving suppliers per event. Before a visit, identify questions about access, water, electrical supply, storage and clearing.
Send an introduction the venue can use
Keep the introduction short. Tell the venue which events you can help with, your guest range, your service style and how far you travel. Include a profile or gallery with real photos and one or two relevant examples. Offer documents or references if the venue requests them.
Give the team an example that matches its events. If most enquiries are for weddings under 90 guests, show how you cater weddings of that size and how you work around speeches or turnaround times. If you can manage a tricky loading route, tell them which vehicle you use and the space you need.
Agree how introductions and responsibilities work
Agree what goes in a referral, who checks dates and how each side may use customer information. Ask how the venue handles exclusivity and any fee or commission. Put the arrangement in writing so everyone knows what a recommendation means.
After your first event, ask what worked for the venue and what you should adapt. Keep a short site note for your crew. When the next request arrives, being familiar with access and clear-down requirements can set you apart.
Give venue partners a Workavelle profile to share
Create a free Workavelle supplier account during launch and get your catering profile ready to share. Add the counties, venue types and service formats you know well. If you join the enquiry service, you can also choose suitable briefs to quote for directly.
Create your free Workavelle supplier account
Check what a dry-hire venue provides
Plan when to refer an enquiry to another caterer
Prepared with AI assistance. These are general planning ideas; confirm availability, requirements and arrangements with your chosen caterer.