Catering
Catering is the business of providing food service at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, public house (pub), or other location. Catering has evolved to become an artisanal affair. Caterers now create an experience that involves the senses.
History of catering
The earliest account of a major services being catered in the United States is a 1778 ball in Philadelphia catered by Caesar Cranshell to celebrate the departure of British General William Howe.[1] Catering business began to form around 1820, centering in Philadelphia.[1][2] Catering being a respectable and profitable business, the early catering industry was disproportionately founded by African-Americans.[1][2][3]
The industry began to professionalize under the reigns of Robert Bogle who is recognized as "the originator of catering."[2] By 1840, a second generation of Philadelphia black caterers formed, who began to combine their catering businesses with restaurants they owned.[2] Common usage of the word "caterer" came about in the 1880s at which point local directories began listing numerous caterers.[1] White businessmen eventually moved into the industry and by the 1930s, the black businesses had virtually disappeared.[1]
In the 1930s, the Soviet Union, creating more simple menus, began developing state public-catering establishments as part of its collectivation policies.[4] A rationing system was implemented during World War II, and people became used to public catering. By the 1960s, home-made food was overtaken by eating in public-catering establishments.[4]
Mobile catering
A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle, cart or truck which is designed for the purpose. Mobile catering is common at outdoor events (such as concerts), workplaces, and downtown business districts.
Wedding Catering
A wedding caterer provides food to the wedding party. The wedding caterer can be hired independently or can be part of a package designed by the venue.
Catering Officers on ships
Merchant ships often carry Catering Officers - especially ferries, cruise liners and large cargo ships. In fact, the term "catering" was in use in the world of the merchant marine long before it became established as a land-bound business.
See also
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References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Chastain, Sue (March 5, 1987). "Philadelphia's Historic Feasts How Blacks Carved Out A Niche In Society Through Catering". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Walker, Juliet E. K. (2009). The history of black business in America: capitalism, race, entrepreneurship (2nd ed.). Chapel Hill, N.C.: University of North Carolina Press. pp. 133–134. ISBN 0807832413. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ↑ Smith, Jessie Carney, ed. (2006). Encyclopedia of African American Business 1. Greenwood Press. p. 306. ISBN 0313331103.
- 1 2 Atkins, Peter; Oddy, Derek J.; Amilien, Virginie (2012). The Rise of Obesity in Europe: A Twentieth Century Food History. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. pp. 35–36. ISBN 1409488330.