Logistics is where most catering events fail. Not cooking, not food quality—logistics. Trucks arriving late, equipment not working, staff not knowing where to go. After managing hundreds of events, I've developed systems that make logistics invisible.
The Master Timeline
Every event needs a minute-by-minute timeline distributed to every team member:
- Load departure times
- Arrival and setup deadlines
- When each dish needs to be ready
- Service timeline
- Breakdown and departure
Venue Communication
- Confirm access times in writing
- Get venue coordinator contact
- Confirm power, water, parking
- Send setup schedule
Transport Plan
- Vehicle assignments
- What goes in each vehicle
- Who has keys
- Backup plans for breakdowns
Day-Of Coordination
- designated coordinator
- Regular check-ins
- Contingency plans for common issues
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