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The Complete List of Catering Supplies and Equipment
As a caterer, ensuring that your services are clean and organized is vital to running a successful business. Since most catering gigs happen remotely, you’ve got to make sure your essentials are always ready to go.
To make it easier to note, s.t.o.p. Restaurant Supply has compiled a checklist of serving and catering supplies you need to have in your commercial catering vehicle!
With this comprehensive catering equipment list, you’ll always be ready to achieve business goals and maintain good client relationships. Let's take a look!
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Essential Catering Supplies and Equipment in Canada |
Table Settings
First, you’ll need to complete your table settings, such as cutlery, plates, and tablecloths. Below are the essential catering supplies you need for a perfect table setup:
☑️ Dinnerware: No matter how incredible your dishes are, they won't look appetizing if they aren't served on great plates and bowls. Make sure you stock up on various sizes!
☑️ Flatware: As a catering service, your dinnerware needs complimentary flatware. These are spoons, forks, and knives for different dishes on your menu.
☑️ Charger Plate: Add style and decor to your table by including a charger plate. Aside from having a decorative purpose, it also retains the heat of your hot meals.
☑️ Glassware: Don't underestimate the power of stunning glassware. Whether it's wine goblets or water glasses, the right pieces can add major aesthetic value to the table.
☑️ Tablecloths: Speaking of aesthetic value, don’t forget to elevate the ambiance of your catering event with elegant tablecloths that add a touch of sophistication and tie the whole look together.
☑️ Serviette: Your catering checklist cannot be complete without serviettes or napkins. These little essentials are the stars of every table setting. Select high-quality napkins that enhance your presentation and make your guests feel pampered.
☑️ Bread Baskets: These catering essentials aren’t just your go-to containers for bread and pastries. Bread baskets are your key to creating a rustic and inviting atmosphere.
☑️ Salt and Pepper Shakers: At both informal and large events, ensure your guests can personalize and perfectly season their food with salt and pepper shakers.
☑️ Table Numbers: Keep your catered events organized and stylish with eye-catching table numbers that help guests seamlessly find their seats.
☑️ Centerpieces: Don’t forget the wow factor. Whether you’re catering an indoor corporate event or an outdoor affair, your centrepieces will set the vibe and leave a lasting impression on each guest.
☑️ Straws: Help your guests sip in style by offering chic straws that not only serve a practical purpose but also contribute to the aesthetic appeal.
☑️ Risers: Create visual interest by incorporating risers that add dimension to your table setup. These are a must-have for showcasing your chef’s prepared food.
☑️ Placemats: If you want to add a pop of style to your table settings, don’t forget to write down placemats on your catering equipment list. They’re not just eye candy; they also make clean-up a breeze!
Disposable Catering Supplies
Always prepare sets of disposable catering supplies for the convenience of your customers. After all, some people find them more hygienic. Have these readily available in your catering equipment list:
☑️ Disposable Plates: Disposable dinnerware is a must-have in the catering industry. They’re the key to a hassle-free service without compromising style or quality.
☑️ Disposable Cutlery: Bringing disposable cutlery, plastic or compostable, to your catering events can save you from a dinnerware shortage disaster. These are also helpful in reducing clean-up time.
☑️ Disposable Cups: Simultaneously, disposable cups can help address the issue of glassware shortages. Using these also lessens the possibility of having to deal with broken glasses.
☑️ Disposable Cup Dispenser: While you’re at it, keep your cups organized and sanitary with a dispenser for your disposable cups. Be sure to get separate ones for hot and cold drinks.
☑️ Foil Pans: If your customers ask for takeout, foil pans are a good choice since they’re malleable and lightweight.
☑️ Aluminum Foil: Prevent contamination and food from falling out of pans by covering them with aluminum foil. It retains heat to keep your dishes fresh throughout the day.
☑️ Sandwich Wrap: Wrap up the flavour and freshness with convenient sandwich wrap options so your guests can enjoy your delicious creations on the go.
☑️ Take-Out Containers: Send home leftover premade foods to your customers with reliable and practical take-out containers.
☑️ Plastic Wrap: Seal the deal on freshness by using plastic wrap to protect your culinary creations. It’s one of the most essential catering supplies you need on hand in your food stations.
☑️ Paper Napkins: Have disposable napkins ready at your tables for any food mess. Trust us, your guests will thank you for making convenience easily accessible.
☑️ Dessert Cups: Another must-have for a smooth-flowing service, these dainty catering supplies make your sweets look fancy while keeping your service smooth and hassle-free for everyone.
☑️ Disposable Liners: Nothing ups your clean-up game like these plastic lifesavers. With your catering equipment lined and shielded, you can spend less time on mess and more on impressing your guests.
☑️ Disposable Chafing Dishes: Simplify your catering setup with disposable chafing dishes. You don’t need to worry about cleanup and your food stays hot.
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Transport Supplies
Don’t overlook the transportation elements of your catering services, as your dishes can be ruined due to temperature changes. Prevent that from happening with these essential catering equipment:
☑️ Catering Bag: A heavily insulated catering bag is your best friend when transporting food from one place to another! Find insulated food pan carriers with an ergonomic design to make it easy to carry food and other items around.
☑️ Glass Racks: Glassware is fragile, so storing it properly is necessary to prevent breakage. A wide rack is ideal since it features multiple slots and sturdy walls.
☑️ Food Storage Boxes: If you’re worried about spilled food due to transportation, a food storage box can help. This airtight container keeps your dishes and ingredients fresh for a long time.
☑️ Outdoor Coolers: Keep it cool outdoors with reliable industrial outdoor coolers. Whether you're catering a picnic or an al fresco event, these coolers ensure your beverages stay refreshing, and your food stays at a constant temperature.
☑️ Carts or Dollies: Roll into events in style with a sturdy dolly. This essential catering equipment enables you to transport numerous meals in and out of the venue with ease. No heavy lifting required.
☑️ Insulated Beverage Dispensers: Keep your drinks fresh and cool with insulated beverage dispensers you can take anywhere.
☑️ Ice Packs: Keep your goodies frosty with ice packs designed to keep everything frozen without melting. Chuck them in your outdoor coolers and insulated food pan carriers so your dessert or cold food stays cool until served.
☑️ Crates: These are the perfect catering equipment to organize your items for off-site events. Keep your catering vehicle organized and secure with this equipment.
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Cooking Equipment
Fuel the heart of your catering business with top-notch cooking equipment. Whether you're whipping up savoury entrees or preparing delectable desserts, having the right tools can make all the difference. Shop for these catering essentials ASAP:
☑️ Induction Cookers: Supply your chef action stations with countertop induction cookers so they can impress at on-site events. These space-saving catering equipment provide precise temperature control, enabling you to prepare a wide range of dishes.
☑️ Outdoor Burner: Amp up any on-site event with a powerful outdoor burner that can take on any cooking challenge.
☑️ Portable Grills: Grilling brings fun to any outdoor event, so portable grills are some of the most essential catering equipment you can put on your list. Ensure you get high-quality ones for mouth-watering results and unforgettable experiences for your clients.
☑️ Stovetops and Ranges: These are essential for cooking on-site, so if that’s part of your business offering, make sure to get this on your catering checklist.
☑️ Fryers: Provide clients with top-notch food with commercial fryers. With these bad boys in your commercial equipment list, crispy delights are just a fry away.
☑️ Blenders and Food Processors: Prepare food efficiently and present it in style with top-notch blenders and food processors. Hint: these also help your cooks achieve the perfect texture and flavour.
☑️ Mixers: Whether for baking or whipping up large batches of ingredients, a mixer is the one catering event supply you need to make food that tastes equally as good for every guest.
☑️ Slicers: Make quick work slicing meats, cheeses, and vegetables with commercial-grade slicers. Perfect for large events.
☑️ Cookware Sets: Quality pots, pans, and baking sheets are the backbone of any kitchen, but especially one that serves multiple plates at a time. Get these in sizes big and small so you can prepare for any occasion.
☑️ Kitchen Utensils: A range of utensils from spatulas to ladles is essential for efficient food preparation, so don’t leave this out of your catering equipment list.
☑️ Chef's Knives: Invest in professional-grade knives for precision and speed in the kitchen. These catering essentials ensure your culinary team delivers exceptional results for your clients.
☑️ Cutting Boards: Keep your knives sharp and your ingredients safe with high-quality cutting boards. These are also a must for ensuring hygiene and efficiency in your food preparation.Shop all Ovens Shop all Fryers
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Serving Equipment
Your staff needs efficient materials to serve food and drinks to the customers successfully. Make that happen by preparing the following catering supplies you need for presenting prepared food:
☑️ Serving Trays: Serving trays let you safely deliver dishes from the kitchen to the tables. They're lightweight, making it easier for your servers to transport them.
☑️ Tray Stands: When there are too many dishes to serve, propping a tray stand eases the stress on your servers. Say "hello" to quick and efficient serving while avoiding dropped plates.
☑️ Chafers: If you’re hosting a buffet catering, use chafers to keep your dishes warm throughout the event.
☑️ Coffee Chafer Urn: For events where serving coffee is a must, a coffee chafer urn is your best friend. Coffee chafer urns keep the java flowing at the perfect temperature throughout the event.
☑️ Serving Utensils: Maintain the sanitation of your dishes by providing serving utensils. Ensure your guests use them instead of using their own cutlery to serve themselves.
☑️ Water Pitchers: Effortlessly serve water or other beverages to your customers with water pitchers.
☑️ Food Warmers: Keep your prepared dishes at the right temperature until they reach the tables with reliable food warmers.
☑️ Aprons: Keep your staff looking neat and professional by providing stylish aprons. These can catch food spillage and prevent it from getting to their clothes or skin.
☑️ Tongs: Equip your serving staff with reliable tongs for a secure and hygienic food service. These catering essentials ensure precise handling without compromising sanitation.
☑️ Sneeze Guards: Prioritize health and safety with sneeze guards to protect the displayed food from contaminants. These essential catering supplies add an extra layer of protection at buffet stations.
☑️ Cake Stands: Elevate your dessert presentation and show off your creations in tiers with cake stands.
Cleaning and Sanitation Equipment
Of course, don’t forget to keep your work area clean! Here’s a list of the basic cleaning supplies you’ll need for every catering gig:
☑️ Garbage Bags and Cans: Dispose of your food waste into garbage bags, then segregate other items into recycling bins. These keep your area clean and prevent foul odours from entering the dining area.
☑️ Handwashing Sink: Ensure safe and hygienic eating by providing handwashing sinks both for guests and servers. Bring out liquid soap (not bar soap!) and paper towels so everyone can wash and dry their hands properly before sitting down to eat.
☑️ Hand Sanitizer: If incorporating handwashing sinks isn't feasible, then having hand sanitizer available at the venue would work too.
☑️ Cleaning Towels: Spilling foods and drinks can't always be prevented, so best to be prepared by having mico-fibre rags ready. These towels can absorb all the liquid and keep the dining area sparkling clean.
☑️ Cleaning Brushes: Tackle stubborn stains and grime with high-quality cleaning brushes designed for efficiency.
☑️ Dishwasher: Invest in a reliable dishwasher to handle the volume of dishes at your catering events.
☑️ Mop Buckets: Keep your catering venue spick and span by having mop buckets on hand.
☑️ Safety Signs: Help prevent accidents and keep your catering area accident-free with safety signs.
☑️ Non-Slip Mats: Ensure safe walking in high-traffic areas with non-slip mats.
☑️ Gloves: Whether handling food or cleaning, gloves are indispensable catering supplies that protect your hands and maintain hygiene.
Shop at s.t.o.p. to Get Essential Catering Supplies
Now, are you wondering where to buy catering supplies in Canada?
Look no further than S.T.O.P. Restaurant Supply! We're a leading cooking equipment and materials provider for restaurants, caterers, and home cooks. Find all the serving and catering supplies you need for your next gig here.
Check out our catalogue and start adding your essentials to your cart!
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