Ordering food for the office or catering for an event might sound easy… until you’re coordinating menus for everyone’s tastes, appeasing dietary restrictions, and wrangling lunch for 50 on a budget — all while emails pile up and project deadlines loom.

Today, many savvy professionals are catching onto the benefits of using a corporate catering concierge for their events and office meals. It’s easy to see the appeal. A dedicated expert can turn your vision into custom-tailored menus and coordinate seamless delivery, making you look like the office hero without the stress and headaches of handling it on your own. 

What is a corporate catering concierge?  

A corporate catering concierge is an expert who manages all the preparation and logistics that go into serving employees or clients food in the workplace — effectively bridging the gap between restaurants and employers. From navigating dietary restrictions and managing food spend to placing orders and coordinating deliveries, they’re responsible for ensuring that food shows up on time, and as ordered.

It’s a big job, one that’s becoming more important than ever. Why? More and more companies are discovering the benefits of offering free and subsidized food at work — from keeping employees happy to competing for top talent.

Curious what all the fuss is about? Let’s take a look at five reasons busy professionals are making catering concierge services their new secret weapon.

1. Time savings: reclaim an hour… or five  

Researching menus, comparing vendors, and pouring over order logistics can devour hours of your time, but a catering concierge can transform even the most complex catering orders into smooth, stress-free meals.

A concierge expert does all the research for you, freeing you from reviewing countless restaurants and catering companies. You’ll receive a curated selection of meal options custom-tailored to meet your preferences, budget, and each person’s dietary restrictions. 

Companies like MedCura Health have discovered the magic of working with a food concierge. Chris Whittaker, the company’s executive assistant, explains that switching to a catering concierge allowed him to free up four to five hours a week, plus eliminated the hassle of communicating with delivery drivers and troubleshooting problems.

“I told my rep I wanted ordering to be as hands-off as possible,” he explained. And that’s just what he got. “Everything has been seamless.”

With all that extra time, you’ll be able to tackle your project backlog or focus on high-value initiatives without the constant distraction of catering headaches.

2. Say goodbye to anxiety — you’re always in the loop

Wondering if the restaurant received your custom instructions? Worried about whether the delivery will truly arrive in 15 minutes? With a catering concierge, you can ditch the anxiety. Your dedicated professional will maintain open communication so you stay informed every step of the way — no guessing or nerves required.

Rather than scramble to track down answers or stress about last-minute order mishaps, you can rely on your catering pro to handle all the details. They manage confirmation follow-ups, communicate with the food vendor, and make sure everything goes off without a hitch so you can kick back rather than kick into nervous overdrive.

3. Last-minute pivots are a piece of cake

Had a surprise influx of attendees, three new additions with peanut allergies, or a few vegans added to the roster? Need to adjust menus when the executive team decides to dine al fresco or VIPs require a more upscale experience? When you use concierge services, last-minute changes are no sweat.

Simply alert your dedicated contact about shifts as they arise and relax while they make the updates. They’ll work with the vendors to communicate needed changes and remind you about anything you might have overlooked — like adjusting napkin counts or adding appetizer trays.

Your catering concierge can also be your BFF when plans go sideways. You can lean on their knowledge and expertise to help you weigh options and find workarounds that will keep everyone smiling despite the curveballs.

4. Save money without compromise

A catering concierge often has established relationships with caterers and restaurants, allowing them to nimbly navigate menus to find the best value for your budget. This gives them the ability to act as your cost-cutting connection, helping you tap into insider savings. 

Rather than wasting time searching the internet for budget bites, you can rely on your concierge to adeptly match menu options to your ideal per-head pricing and help you avoid any unexpected overages. Just share your spending comfort zone and headcount, and they’ll handle the rest.

5. Quality you can count on

Pulling off a flawless catered event is no small task, and placing your company’s reputation and relationship building in the hands of a one-time vendor can be nerve-wracking. A corporate catering concierge works closely with you and the selected vendor to make sure every catered event makes you look good, whether you’re planning a small lunch-and-learn or a large, formal banquet. 

Your concierge will carefully vet caterers and restaurants to ensure you’re choosing from a range of quality-focused providers. Then, they’ll oversee the logistics to make sure the food is delivered on time and properly presented. No more stressing over soggy salads, dry pasta, or missing condiments — instead, you can turn your attention to interacting with your colleagues or schmoozing VIPs. With an expert food concierge handling quality control, ordering meals turns into a rewarding experience.

Upgrade your experience with a corporate catering concierge

Wave goodbye to the days of catering chaos and hello to smooth sailing with ezCater’s professional concierge services. It’s the secret ingredient to turning every corporate meal into a spectacular event.

Think of ezCater as your behind-the-scenes culinary wizards. We do the heavy lifting — from handpicking vendors to customizing menus that cater to your audience’s palates and dietary needs. It’s like having a catering superhero in your corner, dedicated to making your office meals and events the talk of the town. Try ezCater’s Concierge Ordering, and we’ll whip up the perfect menu while you kick back, relax, and enjoy the food.