Caterers across the metro area, in the midst of one of their busiest seasons of the year, are reporting increased sales and, for some, new party themes.
The Catering Company of Washington estimates that revenue is up this year at least 70 percent. “We’ve had an unusually strong season,” said owner Elizabeth Petty, who bought the company 19 years ago. She’s planning 40 to 45 events this month.
Corporate events make up the bulk of business for some companies, like Rocklands Catering in Alexandria. Sales are exceeding last year, sales representative Jennifer Shipley said, adding the company had already surpassed its 2007 goal by 15 to 20 percent.
Windows Catering in Alexandria has seen a 10 to 12 percent increase in sales, but also a “different mix” this season, with more home entertaining events than in the past, said Andrew Gerstel, executive vice president. Corporate events used to make up about 70 percent of business, but now the two categories are about even, Gerstel added.
Festive Foods in North Bethesda is in the peak of its No. 1 busy season, catering about 15 events a week between Black Friday through the weekend before Christmas, said Khoa Le in the company’s office of special events. This is about the same as last year’s pace.
Some clients are getting creative. One company wanted to do a Hawaiian theme for Christmas, said Adale Abel, an event designer for Haymarket-based A La Carte Catering. Her company has had to increase staff due to the spike in business. Saturday, the company had seven events.
The requested foods have also become more diverse in recent years. Raw bars featuring sushi, oysters and other seafood are in demand this year, as well as a “trend towards more of the comfort foods,” such as sweet potatoes, ham and beef filet, Gerstel said.
Asian and Indian foods are the most popular, according to Petty.
The “level of sophistication has increased,” she added.
