Austin’s unique, inventive, and diverse food culture makes the city the perfect place to bring food into the office. Corporate catering in Austin can transform your company event into something employees look forward to.
But with so many options, finding the best catering solution can be a daunting task. There are a lot of factors to consider, and it’s not uncommon to worry that you’ve missed something. To get started, take a look at five of the most important things to consider when choosing a corporate catering partner in Austin, and then examine some of the city’s most popular catering providers.
Catering can elevate any corporate event, but it has to be executed well to be successful. Disappointing, repetitive, or late catering options can sink your event’s energy. Here are five things to look for in a corporate caterer to ensure your event runs smoothly.
Even if you bring in food your employees love, if you serve the same menus time and time again, they’ll grow bored.This means free food at the monthly all-hands won’t have the same appeal that it once did.
You need to switch up your food offerings regularly in order to keep employees engaged. Expand across different cuisines, and maybe throw in the occasional dessert option. Offer unique, experimental dishes and bold fusion flavors. This approach keeps events exciting and employees engaged over time.
But keeping track of multiple vendors can be difficult. You have to make new connections, maintain multiple relationships, organize drop-off logistics, and set menus every time. It puts a lot of extra work on your administrative team’s plate. You can avoid this by working with a workplace food partner that has pre-existing relationships with a number of restaurants, allowing you to offer consistent variety without having to start over every time.
Austin’s expansive collection of food trucks and independently-owned restaurants make up a diverse tapestry of flavors that’s unique to the city. Your employees are used to that local touch, and they’re unlikely to be satisfied with generic sandwich platters. They want the food they eat at work to reflect their personal lives. To elevate your corporate event, bring in local restaurants that are authentically Austin.
Working with a food service provider that honors the tastes of the city’s food scene is the easiest way to appeal to employees. Look for a partner that prioritizes independently-owned spots over chains. This will allow you to serve delicious, exciting food that supports the community your company and employees are part of.
Austin is a largely car-dependent city, with the local government reporting that over 70% of the population relies on cars to get to work. This can complicate delivery logistics. You have to factor in potential delays and extended travel times. It’s a lot to consider, and perfect timing can still be hit-or-miss. If food arrives too soon, you risk issues with temperature control, but late arrivals can derail your agenda.
To mitigate this risk, partner with a corporate catering organizer that has delivery down to a science. Organizations with well-established programs will be able to reliably get food to the event at the exact right time, eliminating unnecessary stress and creating a memorable dining experience.
Austin is considered to be one of the most health-conscious cities in the country, according to WalletHub. Because specific dietary preferences are so common, it’s important to make sure that you’re providing food that everyone can eat. If anyone is left without food, they’ll feel isolated, people will be upset on their behalf, and it will bring down the mood of the whole event.
Thankfully, the city’s health culture is reflected in its food scene. Austin is home to a plethora of restaurants built around specific dietary needs, such as halal, vegan, and vegetarian spots. Even in restaurants where these dishes don’t make up the entire menu, inclusive options are commonplace.
But that doesn’t mean that every restaurant will have something all of your employees can eat. That’s why you need to make sure that the corporate catering partner you choose has plenty of selection and variety.
You’re not always going to be hosting the same kind of event. Sometimes, you’ll need food for a casual meeting, and other times, you’ll need to organize service for a formal, company-wide event.
You shouldn’t have to re-work the logistics every time. If you partner with a corporate catering provider that’s willing to work with you to customize catering operations to fit your needs, you can avoid headaches and last-minute surprises. Look for a provider that offers a variety of services, from boxed lunches to buffet-style offerings to formal white-glove service. That way, you can always go back to the same point of contact regardless of what kind of event you're planning.
With such a wide variety of cuisines, there are a ton of great catering options to choose from in Austin. It’s difficult to narrow it down to just a few, but here are some local spots that represent the range and ingenuity of Austin’s food scene. They’re all part of Fooda’s restaurant network, making it easy to bring them into the office for your next event.
Like the name suggests, Lee Gimbap is known for their gimbap, a seaweed roll stuffed with rice, egg, meat, and vegetables. That doesn’t mean that’s all they have to offer, however. Their large menu is full of Korean favorites, including bibimbap rice bowls, noodle dishes, and Korean fried chicken. They even have desserts, drinks, combo deals, and vegan options, making them a solid catering choice anyone can enjoy.
La Fonda, La Chanta is a beloved local food truck serving Mexican and Latin American dishes including piled-high torta, classic street food, stuffed burritos, and more. Their individual made-to-order meals are made with the same fresh ingredients as their catering platters. Everything they serve is authentic, delicious, and made with love.
This popular catering spot serves Turkish and halal cuisine, putting a modern twist on long-held traditions. They specialize in creating bold flavors, and unforgettable dining experiences. All of their shawarma, skewers, wraps, salads, and soups are made with fresh, healthy ingredients. Their halal and vegetarian options make them a great spot to turn to if you’re looking for inclusivity.
Fueled by Caribbean-Southern fusion, Trap House Caribbean takes inspiration from across the African diaspora. The two staples of their menu are oxtail and jerk chicken. They serve them in a variety of unique forms, such as on pizza, in mac and cheese, and stuffed into philly cheesesteak sandwiches. Everything is thoughtfully seasoned to deliver a delightfully flavorful punch that employees won’t forget.
With perfectly-smoked Central Texas BBQ, classic Southern comfort sides, and Tex-Mex inspirations, this local favorite is the embodiment of classic Texan cuisine. Smokin’ Brew B-Q’s taco platters, meal deals, sandwiches, loaded bbq nachos, sides, and desserts make for a wide menu that’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
If you need catering for a health-conscious team, Calderon Curations has you covered. Their charcuterie boards are filled with fruits, vegetables, and protein. They serve individual charcuterie cups, full boards, and grazing tables, allowing you to feed any size crowd. Their vegan and vegetarian options are a great way to accommodate a variety of dietary preferences, ensuring nobody gets left out.
Claiming to serve “America’s Most Gifted Marshmallow,” The Fancy Marshmallow Co. is a natural choice for anyone looking to serve unique sweet treats. Their selection of playful flavors include toasted s’more, candy bar, churro, strawberry, birthday cake, and more. If you’re dead-set on a specific flavor, order early, as their most popular varieties tend to sell out quickly.
Fooda makes corporate catering easy. Here’s how:
Fooda has a pre-existing network of 4,500+ restaurant partners spread across a wide variety of cuisines, making it easy to switch up the menu every single time. Your employees will never be restricted to basic salad and sandwich options. Instead, they can explore new dishes from local restaurants around the area.
Our restaurant partner network that’s made up of 80% independently owned spots allows you to bring in flavors that are uniquely Austin. When your food is both singular and delicious, you can create memorable moments that leave employees engaged and looking forward to your next event.
Fooda’s dedicated corporate catering coordinators handle all of the logistics for you, from vendor communication to delivery schedules to clean-up operations. All you have to do is tell them what you’re looking for, and they’ll help you select the right vendor. After that, you can relax knowing everything is taken care of.
Fooda can handle any kind of event, from casual to black-tie. Our white-glove service delivers a formal, elevated experience, while drop-off boxed lunches are perfect for long, laid-back brainstorming sessions. We can also work with you to manage any dietary restrictions, keeping all of your employees safe and fed.
Want to work with Fooda for your next corporate event? Get in touch with one of our catering experts to get started.
What is corporate catering?
Corporate catering brings food into the workplace to accompany various events, including whole-company meetings, milestone celebrations, and stakeholder meetings. There are multiple different types of corporate catering, including boxed lunches, family-style serve-yourself stations, serviced buffets, and full white-glove service.
How much does corporate catering cost?
The cost of corporate catering varies depending on what kind of event you’re hosting. While the Fooda Price Index found that Americans spend upwards of $14 for lunch each day, catering costs are typically higher. For boxed-lunch catering, you can expect to pay $12-20 per person, while buffet-style can run $20-30 depending on what you’re offering. White-glove service will be the most expensive option, as you’re paying for full service in addition to the food. This type of catering will typically run upwards of $40 per person.
How do I offer inclusive corporate catering menus?
To offer inclusive corporate catering menus, you should survey your employees to get a picture of what dietary accommodations they have. That way, you can make sure to provide something everyone can eat. It’s also always a good idea to include a few gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options every time, just to be safe. Coordinate with restaurants that offer inclusive dishes, making sure every employee feels comfortable and cared for.
What food is Austin known for?
Austin is most well known for iconic Texas staples such as Central Texas Brisket, Tex-Mex, and classic southern comfort foods. Breakfast tacos are also a common find. Additionally, the city has a thriving food truck culture that has introduced new variety and ingenuity in recent years. Common cultural cuisines include Asian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, African, Mexican, and Central American offerings.
What trends are shaping corporate catering?
Modern corporate catering is becoming increasingly focused on variety, local flavors, dietary inclusivity, and adaptability. Providing delicious food that accommodates everyone’s dietary needs is a great way to keep employees engaged and interested in corporate events.
How do I manage food waste in corporate catering?
The best way to manage food waste in corporate catering is to focus on getting accurate headcounts so that you can estimate exactly how much food you need. If you want to be extra cautious, you can opt for boxed-lunch catering, as individually-packaged meals allow you to serve enough for your exact headcount.
.jpg)
