Choose the corporate work you can deliver
The first step to getting corporate catering clients is deciding which jobs fit your operation. A drop-off office lunch may need tight delivery windows and labelled portions. A conference may need repeat refreshment breaks, staff and a clear plan for topping up during sessions. A company party may call for street food or a staffed buffet.
Set out two or three packages with a guest range, service format, lead time and the areas you cover. Tell buyers whether you supply drinks, setup, service staff and clearing. Give dietary requests a clear process so the organiser knows when to send details and what you can confirm.
Reach the people who arrange food
Office managers, event coordinators, venue teams and conference planners are useful starting points. Find the appropriate contact channel and lead with what you can solve. For example, ‘boxed lunches for up to 80 with a timed delivery and individually labelled portions’ gives an office manager something useful to assess.
Work with conference venues, coworking spaces and meeting organisers that use outside caterers. Ask about goods access, delivery slots and on-site equipment. A service that fits the venue’s routine has a better chance of earning another referral.
Turn a one-off brief into repeat work
Offer a repeatable order format. Capture the site contact, delivery window, floor or loading point, guest count and invoice reference. Ask when numbers become final and how the company authorises changes. If you accept purchase orders or have invoice terms, state them before the booking is confirmed.
After the event, ask the organiser what worked and what would make a second booking easier. Keep revised setup notes and deadlines for that venue. Over time, this lets you give repeat buyers a faster, more accurate quote.
Find corporate event briefs on Workavelle
Event caterers can join Workavelle free during launch. List the corporate services and areas you cover, then choose suitable requests to quote for. You agree the scope, booking and payment directly with the organiser.
Create your free Workavelle supplier account
Plan catering breaks around a conference agenda
Prepare a useful catering quote
Prepared with AI assistance. These are general planning ideas; confirm availability, requirements and arrangements with your chosen caterer.