Catering for a meeting at a co-working space is more than just providing food and drinks; it’s about creating an environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and productivity. Whether you’re hosting a small team meeting or a large networking event, thoughtful catering can enhance the experience and leave a lasting impression on attendees.
Understanding the Audience
The first step in planning catering for a co-working space meeting is understanding the audience. Who will be attending? Are they professionals, entrepreneurs, or a mix of both? Knowing the demographic helps tailor the menu to suit their preferences. For instance, a tech startup meeting might prefer trendy, health-conscious options like smoothie bowls and avocado toast, while a more traditional corporate meeting might appreciate classic sandwiches and salads. At Versa, we work with local caterers to find the best solution for your audience’s needs.
Dietary Restrictions and Preferences
In today’s diverse workplace, it’s essential to consider dietary restrictions and preferences. Make sure to offer a variety of options, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free choices. Sending out a survey prior to the meeting can help identify specific needs, ensuring that all attendees have something they can enjoy. When you book a meeting at Versa this is one of the first questions we ask about catering requirements. Labeling the food clearly is also a thoughtful touch that prevents any confusion and ensures everyone feels included. A commonly ordered caterer is Roots Natural Kitchen, Roots has a great variety of options and is served buffet style. The option to be able to create your lunch helps to ensure dietary restrictions are easily followed.
Timing and Structure
The timing and structure of the meeting can greatly influence the catering choices. For morning meetings our continental breakfast includes fresh muffins, a variety of Greek yogurts, mixed berries, granola, fresh fruit, and hard-boiled eggs for a great source of protein in the morning. Beverage service consists of freshly brewed coffee, hot water for tea, ice water, and all the fix-ins. Versa will also help to plan your lunch catering. We work with a variety of local caterers to bring diversity to your afternoon meal. Let us do the work for you, we will order, coordinate, and set up your lunch service. And once finished, we will clean up and tear it down for you. If the meeting is scheduled for late afternoon, we have a snack option when catering isn’t appropriate. Our snack service comes with a variety of healthy snack options that everyone can enjoy. Our clients say this structure helps alleviate the catering stressor of the meeting planning process. All of our meeting rooms have mints in them for an after-meal refresher.
Beverage Selection
Beverages are a critical component of any catering setup. Offering a range of hot and cold drinks caters to different tastes and keeps everyone refreshed. Coffee and tea are staples, but don’t forget to include options like sparkling water, flavored water, and soft drinks. For a more sophisticated touch, consider adding a selection of artisanal sodas or kombucha.
Presentation Matters
The way food is presented can significantly impact the overall experience. In a co-working space, where aesthetics often play a crucial role, attractive presentation is key. Using eco-friendly, stylish containers and serving ware can enhance the appeal. Presentation is an important factor in setting up catering, we have onsite professional staff that ensures the set-up is visually pleasing. We use clean, white serving ware that aligns with our co-working vibe, replating adds a nice touch to the catering experience and elevates the display.
Convenience and Accessibility
Co-working spaces often have limited space, so the catering setup should be convenient and accessible. A buffet-style service is usually a good option, allowing attendees to serve themselves and reducing the need for extensive staff. Ensure there are enough napkins, utensils, and plates, and that the food is easily reachable and well-organized. Also, consider the flow of traffic; the setup should not disrupt the meeting or the general co-working environment. All of Versa’s meeting spaces have plenty of room for catering set-ups.
Sustainability and Local Sourcing
In today’s world, sustainability is more important than ever. Choosing a caterer who uses locally sourced, organic ingredients can reflect well on your organization and appeal to eco-conscious attendees. Minimizing waste by opting for reusable or biodegradable plates, utensils, and cups can also make a positive impact. Additionally, planning the amount of food carefully to avoid excess can prevent unnecessary waste. In preparation for the meeting, we confirm with the host the number of attendees to help prevent unnecessary waste. Any leftovers can be donated to members in our co-working space or boxed up for the attendees to take home.
Feedback and Continuous Improvement
After the event, seeking feedback from attendees about the catering can provide valuable insights for future meetings. What did they like? What could be improved? We use this feedback to refine and enhance the catering experience for subsequent events.
Conclusion
Catering for a meeting at a co-working space involves thoughtful planning and attention to detail. By understanding the audience, considering dietary needs, timing, and presentation, and focusing on sustainability, you can create a memorable and enjoyable experience that supports the goals of the meeting. Good catering not only satisfies hunger but also promotes a positive atmosphere, encouraging engagement and collaboration among attendees, that is our goal at Versa.
