Thinking of having a special event or party but not sure where to begin? There are many good catering companies you can look out for in Singapore. They will assure that everything is provided, set-up and organized—all you need to do is send out your invitation, welcome your guests on the day, kick back and enjoy.
The main types of catering services include cocktail, buffet-style spreads and sit-down dinners where guests are served course by course. These may be offered by independent caterers or those affiliated with restaurants or hotels.
Caterers typically have a selection of sample menus and mix-and-match options that suit your budget. Prices are usually based on per person estimate. Some even offer customised menus depending on preference, and in such cases, pricing varies. In Singapore, there are a several good caterers that are halal certified.
Besides food, caterers these days also offer a variety of services– including set-up (decorations), delivery, on-site service and clean-up. There are however, additional charges for these.
Just let your caterer know the estimated number of people you are inviting, the place, theme, and date and most importantly, the budget, and you are on your way to throwing a great bash!
Here are some tips on how to pick a good caterer:
1) Word-of-mouth reference is important. Ask friends and family for recommendations of caterers they have engaged, and whose food and service they were pleased with.
2) Another option is to find out if your favourite restaurant offers off-site catering. That way, you are assured of great food and efficient service.
3) Find out if the caterer covers everything from tableware, bar service, tables, chairs to flowers and entertainment. Many good caterers offer customised service for clients.
4) If you have time, ask your potential caterer if you could go to an upcoming party or event to have a sneak-peek of the set up.
5) A good caterer will offer you plenty of advice and ideas on menus, set-up and service. They will also provide you with sample menus that are suitable for your budget and event/party.
6) Find out if the caterer uses fresh ingredients and produce. Good ones do not use frozen or canned food.
7) When you’ve decided on the caterer and menu, ask if you could do a tasting, which is important for more formal sit-down dinners or memorable affairs like weddings. That way, you not only get to taste the food, but have an idea of the presentation skills.
Address: 11 Unity Street, #01-09, Robertson Walk
Tel: 67388145
Website: www.canele.com.sg
Specialisation: Customisation of themes and menus
Prices: high-end, depends on customisation
Customisation is Canele Catering’s selling point as the chefs are able to create menus for every occasion. “We have catered for numerous themed events like ‘Cococabana’, ‘Russian’, ‘The Colour Purple’, ‘Latin-American’, and more,” says Usha Raman, sales and marketing manager. For the past three years, Canele has catered for the luxury industry, banks, automotive companies, private parties and others.
As the menus are customised, there are no standard price list or standard dishes. “As an idea, our cocktail menus start from $35 per guest, lunches from about $50 and dinners about $75,” says Usha. A basic cocktail menu that starts at $35 includes a selection of savoury canapés such as petit brioche burger with roasted chicken and figs compote, smoked salmon profiterole and petit mushroom and tomato quiche, as well as a selection of sweet canapés like macarons.
She adds, “This is not set in stone and it is always best to call us first. There is also a minimum spending which varies depending on the time of the year.”
Furthermore, Canele is also flexible with their service and set up requirements. “For example, we had a luxury label that wanted canapés to look like jewellery and have elements of jewellery in both the savoury and sweet canapés. So we designed a menu to suit this theme. This was challenging and definitely fun for executive pastry chef Pang Kok Keong. To top it off, our client and the guests loved the food and we had the pleasure of working with them again after this event,” says Usha.
Address: 3 Changi North Street 2 #01-01B
Tel: 62880133
Website: www.fostre.com
Specialisation: Affordability, extensive variety
Prices: From $10
Fostre presents professional catering for every occasion and you will not be disappointed with its quality of food and service. The company has catered for church wedding receptions, wedding banquets, baby’s full month, birthdays and anniversaries, house warming parties, bbq gatherings and theme parties.
From local delights to Asian and International cuisines and even barbeque, there is a mind-boggling range of dishes for you to select. Best of all, these menus are reasonably priced. The Asian buffet for instance, starts at $10, and allows you to choose eight items and one drink from a comprehensive selection of dishes, including rice, noodles, vegetarian, chicken, meat, fish, snacks and desserts.
Food aside, you will get a full buffet set up with tables, tablecloth and skirting, full set of disposable wares, and trash bags. Chinaware, cutleries and glassware are available but chargeable. You can also request for a customised menu to suit your preference.
Tung Lok Events Catering
Address: 298 Tiong Bahru Road, #14-01/04 Central Plaza
Tel: 6235 8998/ 63372055
Website: www.tunglokevents.com
Specialisation: Premium Chinese buffet spread
Prices: From $25
Aside from its collection of excellent restaurants, the venerable Tung Lok Group offers outdoor events catering. If you want to throw a special birthday or anniversary celebration the catering team can provide top-notch Chinese or premium buffet for your guests. For the Chinese menu, the price starts from $25 for a selection of 12 items such as seafood, beancurd, soup, meat, vegetables, dim sum, chicken, rice/noodles and desserts. For something more special, the premium menu from $65 per person includes live station of roast Peking duck or sirloin roast beef and a host of other delicacies.
Swanky outdoor wedding packages are available too–such as the luxurious nine-course Chinese sit-down dinner prepared by a Tung Lok masterchef. You can have round tables for 10 persons with white table linen plus two exclusive VIP table set ups. Banquet chairs with covers, full table setting with chinaware and glassware, wedding cake, Champagne fountain and many more are offered.
Other menus to check out include vegetarian and Muslim Padang buffet (from Garuda Padang), as well as high tea cocktails (dim sum, Northern and Southern Chinese delights, and vegetarian).
Address: 5 Harrison Road #04-01
Tel: 63966990
Website: www.purplesage.com.sg
Specialisation: Western sit-down menus
Prices: From $18
Purple Sage has been in the catering industry since 2002 starting with five staff and now 50. It even has its own in-house flower shop opened in 2004.
The company offers Western sit-down menus starting from $45 per person for four courses; buffet lunch/ dinner menu from $18 per person or butler-style cocktail reception from $23. For something quick and easy, bento boxes from $12 are available too.
If you’re thinking of organising a barbecue at home but find that it’s too much effort to cook and clean, Purple Sage offers a great bbq menu from $25. Throwing a kids’ party but don’t know where or how to start? The kids menu from $20 offers delicious bites that are appealing to children. Other special buffet menus include the Wealth of Health and Goodness Menu – with Eu Yan Sang (from $35 per person).
Address: 1007 Aljunied Avenue 4, #01-11
Tel: 67427910/ 96827824
Website: www.orchidthai.com.sg
Specialisation: Thai and Asian dishes at affordable prices
Prices: From $12.80
For a more unique celebration, why not treat your guests to a delicious Thai (original or vegetarian) meal comprising a variety of authentic appetisers, soups, hot savouries, plus desserts and beverages.
Prices for the buffet spread start at $12.80. You will also get warmers for hot dishes, disposable cutlery, buffet table with cloth. The most affordable catering choice available is the bento box menu (9.80 per pack, and minimum 10 packs) for breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner.
Apart from Thai dishes, the certified-halal Orchid Thai also whip up local delights, international fare, Peranakan, Japanese, Chinese or Indian vegetarian, Western, Hong Kong dim sum, as well as cakes and confectionery.
The caterer also provides other services such as live station, chef on site, event planning, marquee, tables and chairs, entertainment, bartenders, and party staff.
Address: 123 Defu Lane 10, Jack's Place Building
Tel: 68580111
Website: www.eatzi.com.sg or www.jppepperdine.com
Specialisation: Affordable end-to-end catering services, Halal certified
Prices: From 12.80
Eatzi Gourmet is a wholly owned subsidiary of JP Pepperdine Group Pte Ltd (formerly known as Jack’s Place Holdings Pte Ltd). Eatzi Gourmet Catering (certified halal) has been around since 1991. Eatzi caters for an array of events and celebrations, including birthdays, tea receptions, buffets, housewarmings, anniversaries and corporate functions.
Details are all taken care of, from choosing the appropriate theme, the venue setting and menu creation. Menus include Western, Chinese, Malay and International cuisines and only the finest and freshest ingredients are used.
Tailored and seasonal menus can be planned, with a special selection of meats and fresh seafood grilled to perfection. You can also request for hand-carved meats such as roast beef on wagon, or roast leg of lamb. Or for a real centerpiece dish, try the famed spit baby roast lamb.
Prices are reasonable and start from $12.80 for buffet receptions. To make life easier for you, the catering service also comes with complete table layout—including table cloth and skirtings, and full set of disposable dining ware. For sit-down Western set menus (from $50), you get full table setting with chinaware and glassware, centerpiece for the dining table, experience service staff, and menu card on every dining table.
For a list of caterers, click here.
