What happens to leftover food from catered events?
We were at a large gathering where the hors-d'oeuvres buffet featured shrimp, cheese and crackers, and small fruit pieces. When dinner was served in another room, the hors-d'oeuvres platters were still partially full. I know it's the caterer's job to make sure they don't run out. Is perishable food like that left with the people who organized the parts, or taken away by the caterers? If the caterers take it away, do the employees get to take it home, is some of it re-used later, or is it thrown away?
chefgrille2009-10-12T12:57:52Z
Favorite Answer
The client is asked if they want the leftovers. If they don't, then it becomes the employee dinners, then the rest is tossed out. Not only have I catered, but I've worked a few gala dinners as a banquet server and I can tell you it's great to get to eat the same thing as rich people paying $3000 a ticket per person. I still remember the shrimp pate and smoked salmon at the Culinary Institute gala.
No the food is NOT re-used later, NO chef in circumstance will use pre-used food. Its always FRESH food when catering any banquet. Usually people who ordered/hired the caterers get to keep some left overs if any are there. Then the actual caterer do what they want with it. They usually take some home. But if there are still left overs then the most likely toss it.
It depends on the scruples of the catering company. If there's a spread on and there's leftovers, the caterer's will usually consult whoever paid for the food and see what they want to happen. This could be goody bags, or let the staff eat it etc. It's very rare that it would be taken away and used again. Most likely everyone would have their fill and then just throw the rest away.
The sanitation laws vary from state to state-When my son got married the caterer boxed all the leftovers & gave them to the host. When my daughter got married we were given the non perishable items, candy soda etc but the perishables had to be disposed of. Could not be returned or given away. The staff could consume but couldn't take any home.
Usually, the caterer will ask the person who hired them if they want the left over food. If not, the caterer keeps it or throws it away. It's been paid for so usually the person does want the left overs.