How to Plan
Office Catering

Planning office catering sounds simple until you're actually doing it. Who's vegetarian? What time does the meeting start? How many extra should you order just in case? If you've ever found yourself scrambling to sort lunch for a team at the last minute, this guide is for you.

Here's a step-by-step process that works for businesses of all sizes — whether you're ordering for 10 people or 150.

Step 1: Confirm Your Headcount

This sounds obvious, but it's the step most people get wrong. Don't estimate — confirm. Send a calendar invite, check RSVPs, and get a solid number at least 48 hours before your order is due. If you're ordering for a large event, add 10% as a buffer for last-minute additions.

At Crispy Catering, we ask for final numbers at least 24 hours before your delivery. This gives us enough time to prep fresh food for the right quantity without waste.

Step 2: Collect Dietary Requirements

New Zealand workplaces are diverse, and dietary requirements should always be taken seriously. A quick email or Slack message asking your team to flag any dietary needs takes two minutes and prevents someone from going hungry.

Common requirements to ask about:

• Gluten-free (coeliac or intolerance)
• Vegetarian
• Vegan
• Keto or low-carb
• Dairy-free
• Nut allergies or other allergens
• Halal or other religious dietary requirements

We accommodate all of the above at Crispy Catering — just include the breakdown in your order and we'll prepare and label everything accordingly.

Step 3: Choose Your Format

The format of your catering should match the format of your event. Working lunch in a boardroom? Individual lunch boxes are ideal — easy to distribute, no shared serving, everyone gets the same experience. Cocktail function or standing event? Finger food platters work better, encouraging movement and conversation.

Step 4: Set Your Budget

Corporate catering in Auckland can range from $15 to $60+ per person depending on format and complexity. For most team lunches and office events, $20–$35 per person covers a high-quality, freshly prepared meal with dietary options included.

Our pricing at Crispy Catering starts from $20 per person. Delivery is free on your first order, and free on all orders over $500.

Step 5: Plan Your Delivery Timing

Always schedule delivery 15 minutes before you need the food to be ready. If your meeting starts at noon, aim for an 11:45am arrival. This gives you time to set up, distribute boxes, and have everything ready when people sit down. Nothing kills momentum like waiting for food to arrive while a meeting is already underway.

Step 6: Communicate with Your Caterer

A good caterer makes planning easy. Tell them your headcount, dietary breakdown, preferred delivery time, and any special requests. The clearer your brief, the better the result. At Crispy Catering, we work directly with you — contact Paul at +64 20 497 3868 or pkorchinov@gmail.com.

Step 7: Set Up for Regular Orders

If your team lunches well together once, they'll want to do it again. Consider setting up a regular catering arrangement — weekly or fortnightly — with a rotating menu so there's always something new to look forward to. We offer this to many of our Auckland clients and it's one of the easiest ways to build a positive team culture.