Off-Site Catering Track

Catersource offers education specifically geared for off-site catering while keeping in mind the challenges you face every day. Off-site catering is one of the most lucrative segments in the food service industry. Be sure you are getting your share of this market. With more than 100 educational sessions, demos, hands-on classes and learning experiences at the 2010 Catersource Conference to select from, you will get the latest news, trends and insights for running your successful off-site catering business. Here are some of the suggested sessions in this track:

SUNDAY
1:00pm
#002 60 Ways to Lower Food Cost For On- and Off- Premise Caterers
or
#003 Mastering Hot-Box Cooking

MONDAY
7:30am
#104 The Secrets Behind Successful Sales Team Management

10:45am
#106 Delicious Desserts with Do-Ahead Directions for Catered Events

Noon
Out of the Box Lunch and Contest
Show off your best boxed lunch style! Share your unique ideas and grab your chance to win cash and prizes as well as marketing and bragging rights. Or, just attend the lunch to pick up some fresh ideas and inspiration for your boxed lunch program.

1:30pm
#114 Basic Financial Budgeting for Caterers

4:30pm
#123 Self-Service Corporate and Social Catering in 2010

TUESDAY
9:00am
#208 The Power of PR
or
#209 The Operations Toolbox

Noon
Tradeshow
1,000+ booth Tradeshow will feature vendors showcasing the latest trendsetting equipment, food and beverage, products and services on the market for catering today. Learn what’s new on the market for catering and gain the upper hand in selling and creating signature events! You’ll find the hot new trends for buffet presentations, linens, china, platters and trays, indoor and outdoor cooking equipment, specialty ovens, grill tops, small wares, innovations in transport equipment and vehicles, new disposable serving ware, fun and creative event-making products and equipment and you’ll get to sample the best food and beverages perfect for catering.

WEDNESDAY
8:00am
#301 Focus on Buffets and Action Stations Designed for Today's Market
or
#303 The Right Formula for Running a Terrific Event

10:00am
Tradeshow: Live Buffet Building
Come to the Tradeshow Floor on Wednesday to experience this exciting new demo! 5 companies will take on the challenge of building their buffets “live” in front of you in just one hour.  We all know that realistically that is all the time we have sometimes and these teams want to show you what they can do in that timeframe. Don’t forget your camera!

4:45pm
#315 The Event Style Report for On- and Off- Premise Caterers

THURSDAY
For the first time ever, Thursday bonus sessions are ALL hands-on opportunities for you to actually practice what the speakers are teaching. Each of these classes will be presented in two part and will offer time for you to build and create everything from buffet stations to new menu presentations. Or, you will be guided through actual role-playing real-life business situations that will get you to problem solve and think fast on your feet.

Mike Roman's Sales Clinic
Hands-on Design
Team-Building Workshop
Food-Styling and Menu-Building

Click here for full sessions schedule including course descriptions and speaker information.

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Chef Demo Arena
Take advantage of this intimate arena Tuesday and Wednesday on the Tradeshow floor. Watch these chefs prepare catering specific menu items, cutting edge concepts and give you hundreds of ideas using easy to find ingredients and labor saving preparation techniques. Sample some of the chef’s creations and take photos of their displays and presentations.

Themed Menu Contest
What makes an event stand out? The THEME does! And the way you propose it to your client via email can make or break the sale. Share your clever theme ideas for your chance to win cash and prizes as well as marketing and bragging rights. Themed Menu contest entries will be posted on the Tradeshow floor so you can get some fun ideas and inspiration for your next themed event!