Tens of thousands of companies and corporations are located in Tampa, with employees working in every office setting across a variety of industries. This creates a lot of competition, and companies are all looking for ways to get ahead.
To achieve this, many companies are implementing employee benefits that are more immediately visible than traditional benefits. One particularly accessible way to improve morale is through food. In Tampa, offering corporate catering at office events can improve employee engagement and participation, causing them to feel more connected to the company’s mission and encouraging them to do their best work.
For this approach to work, catering needs to be planned and executed well. Whether you are planning a team lunch, an office holiday party, or a gala for external partners, food can make or break your event. Here’s a quick guide on how to source the perfect catering spread.
When it comes to organizing corporate event catering, there are a lot of factors to consider, and it’s easy to let something slip through the cracks. It’s important to carefully consider all of your options to ensure your event runs smoothly.
Choosing the right partner starts with understanding the basics of your event. A casual working lunch will call for a different format than a black tie corporate gathering. Anytime you bring a meal into the mix, you want to consider headcount and event type. This will help you determine what kind of catering best suits your needs.
To help you make the right choice, take a look at some of the most common types of corporate catering:
Tampa’s warm and humid climate can play a role in how you plan a corporate catering event, especially if your gathering is outdoors. It’s important to think about how heat and humidity could affect food, beverages, and overall enjoyment. Florida’s frequent rain showers may also cause unforeseen complications. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a backup plan for outdoor events. When selecting a catering partner, look for one that is flexible enough to make alternate arrangements in case of bad weather.
Tampa is home to a diverse food scene, and employees have high expectations as a result. Your corporate catering menu shouldn’t be limited to the same few options. Offering a variety of cuisines can give your employees and guests more choices while accommodating different tastes and dietary preferences. Working with a provider that has access to multiple local restaurants can make it easier to bring that variety into the workplace on a recurring basis.
Even the most delicious catered meal can become a headache if it arrives late or is difficult to set up. Before booking, consider your delivery window, building access, parking situation and where the food will be served. For larger events, you may also need to account for setup, serving staff, equipment, and cleanup. Working with a corporate catering partner that will handle these details for you can help your event run smoothly from start to finish, so you can also sit down and enjoy the food.
Before choosing a catering option, establish a budget that accounts for what you and your team are comfortable spending. This may also have to include things like delivery fees, service charges, staffing, and equipment. Comparing services, menus, and prices can help you choose the right fit within your budget. Working with a corporate catering service can simplify this process by helping you find suitable options.
Being home to a diverse, bold food scene, Tampa has a wide variety of options to choose from. Here are some options you can consider for your next office meal, corporate event, or anything in between.
Founded by Kelli Bingham in 2003, Kelli’s Catering is known for bringing a restaurant-quality experience to multiple MLB teams, American Airlines, and multiple offices in the Tampa area. You can choose from one of 40+ all-inclusive preset menus, or you can build your own and pick every item yourself.
With over 24 full-time team members, Puff ‘n Stuff is a well-oiled machine. Their website allows you to answer pop quiz-like questions to match you with their best catering solution. From a brunch buffet to appetizer platters to more elevated experiences, Puff ‘n Stuff is a reliable choice for corporate catering in Tampa.
Named as a “Best Caterer” at the Tampa Bay Times’ Best of the Best People’s Choice awards, Catering By The Family has been open for 50 years. From breakfast boxes to hot lunches like arroz con pollo (rice and chicken) to a Thanksgiving meal, you have multiple options for Catering By The Family to bring good food to your team.
Tastes of Tampa Bay is a great option for bringing a meal into the workplace or catering an event your office may host. One unique offering is its team-building experience, which takes place off-site in the Taste of Tampa Bay mobile kitchen. This hands-on experience gives your team an opportunity to work together while enjoying a meal they helped create.
With the multitude of catering options in Tampa and all the details you need to keep track of, bringing a meal into the office can easily start to feel overwhelming. This is where Fooda comes in.
Fooda Catering connects your company with local restaurant partners across Tampa, bringing high-quality meals to all of your meetings, all-hands events, client lunches, team gatherings, and other office occasions. Instead of relying on one catering partner’s fixed menu, you can access Fooda’s full restaurant network and ensure your employees get the variety and food quality they expect from living in Tampa.
Whether you’re planning a small team meeting or hosting a fundraising gala, Fooda makes it easy to find options that work for your team. Fooda’s platform also helps coordinate ordering and logistics, which helps your event run smoothly.
Fooda also gives you access to local and diverse restaurants and cuisines, making it easier to accommodate different tastes and dietary preferences without asking everyone in your office to settle on the same meal.
For occasions that call for something more elevated, Fooda also offers premium, white-glove catering. Designed for executive offsites, board-level client entertainment, and milestone celebrations, this service includes dedicated coordination, curated menus from Fooda’s top-tier restaurant partners and on-site staffing from setup through breakdown.
Whatever your needs are, Fooda can make sure your team gets the food, service, and experience they deserve. If you're ready to elevate your corporate catering, talk to Fooda today.
What are the best corporate catering options in Tampa?
Tampa has a wide variety of corporate catering options for everything from office lunches and team meetings to holiday parties and large-scale corporate events. Local caterers such as Kelli’s Catering & Events, Puff n’ Stuff Events Catering, Catering By The Family, and Tastes of Tampa Bay offer different menus and service styles to fit a range of needs.
How much does corporate catering in Tampa cost?
The cost of corporate catering in Tampa depends on a wide range of factors, such as the number of guests you’re expecting, menu selections, service style, and event format. When creating your catering budget, consider additional costs such as delivery, staffing, equipment, setup, and cleanup. Comparing the total services included with each catering option can help you find the best fit for your office and your budget.
How can I accommodate dietary restrictions when ordering corporate catering?
Look for a catering partner that offers a variety of cuisines and menu options to accommodate different dietary needs and preferences. Providing vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other options can help ensure everyone on your team has something they can enjoy.
What makes Fooda Catering different from traditional corporate catering?
Fooda Catering connects companies with a network of local restaurant partners rather than limiting you to one caterer’s fixed menu. This gives your team access to a wider variety of cuisines and restaurant-quality meals. Fooda also offers premium, white-glove catering with curated menus, dedicated coordination, and on-site staffing for occasions that call for a more elevated experience. To learn more, talk to Fooda today.
