Evolution of American catering from poverty kitchens to modern events

Catering in the Food Industry

The focus of this report is on catering within the food industry. The history of catering and a great deal of the history of the food industry in America are simply taken for granted. Consider that pasta and chicken are now normally accepted cuisine for any modern or typical catered affair. But, in the midst of the mass Italian migration into New York and Boston only a century ago, pasta was as frowned upon as the Italian language and culture. Social workers used to consider it to be a troubling sign for instance when Italians were "still eating spaghetti" because this was a sign of the person or family not yet being assimilated. So, serving this type of meal back then would have made the caterer a laughing stock. By this example, there was a long-standing faith in the link between eating and identity.

To Americanize immigrants quickly for example, U.S. officials considered food as a serious psychological bridge between new citizenship and an old culture -- thus, food was a barrier to assimilation. Since the early 1900's, America has been in a constant struggle to integrate various foods and social and cultural tastes because of the many waves of immigrants. Today, this notion would be considered absurd but the history of food and catering have many such tales where foods that we now accept if served would have been considered a major insult to those being served.

History of How Catering Service got started in the Food Industry

Catering today entails a gallery opening, a bridal shower, a fancy book signing, rehearsal dinners or bar mitzvahs. Catering means elegantly appointed wedding receptions and expensive fund-raisers where the foods are always tasty and the teams of waiters and chefs are smiling and friendly. But the history of the catering industry actually started or originated from the downtrodden, socially poor and welfare. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the poor needed handouts to survive and the food industry obliged by providing food lines and food kitchens. Also, because so many were unemployed, they often turned to selling pies and cakes to passers by in order to feed their own families. In other words, several areas contributed to the catering industry which include but were not limited to:

The First and Second World Wars

The California Gold Rush

Immigration

Women working outside the home

Military catering

Rebuilding after the wars in Europe

The Depression

Homeless Soup kitchens

Free lunches for students

The Downfalls of Catering Services

There are many downfalls in the catering business. Consider that a massive meal was just prepared and the event is cancelled. If there is no insurance to cover the cost of the food, the caterer may have to, excuse the pun, 'eat the' difference or loss. And, food-based businesses requires some skill in purchasing, preparation and these skills do not translate into new customers. In other words, another downfall is the need for some basic marketing and customer service skills. Couple that with the fact that hiring and employee's maintenance such as training and payroll also falls on the caterers' plates. Basically, some of the downfalls are directly associated with the fact that these businesses required a mix of typical business skills and restaurateur and food prep skills.

Types of Catering Offered in General

Catering seems pretty straightforward because it means to cook food and serve it. That is the basic idea, but there's much more to it. Consider just choosing where to serve. There are many areas to focus on such as dinner parties, large or small events like weddings or corporate functions. Catering in general implies creating an atmosphere that appeals to all of the senses in a way that can leave the memory of the event in the mind of the customer special and memorable. Catering usually provides customers some well prepared food that appeals to the senses of taste, smell and sight and often the sense of touch.

Liability Problems

The problems that can occur in a catering business are many such as showing up at a catering event with any silverware or something as simple as a cork screws. These types of problems are very common as preparation sometimes leaves out basics. Catering events are often completely ruined because of the caterer not being fully aware of how many tables or commercial ovens are available. Thus, the liabilities in a catering operation encompass a comprehensive list of things that could go wrong.