Definition

Noun: A person or company whose business is to provide food, drinks, and often other services for events such as parties, meetings, or weddings.

Usage

A caterer is a professional service provider. You hire a caterer when you need food prepared, delivered, and served for a special occasion. The role often involves planning menus, cooking, setting up, and sometimes cleaning up after the event.

Examples

• We hired a caterer for the office holiday party.
• The wedding caterer provided an excellent three-course meal.
• As a caterer, her job is to ensure all the guests are well-fed.

Advanced Usage

• "to cater" (verb): The action performed by a caterer. While "caterer" is the noun for the person/company, the verb form is "to cater."
  • The company catered the entire conference.
• "in-house caterer": A catering service that is employed directly by a venue (like a hotel or museum) and is not an independent company.
  • The banquet hall requires you to use their in-house caterer.

Variants and Related Words

• Catering (n): The business or activity of providing food and drink for events.
  • She works in the catering industry.
• To cater (v): To provide food and drink, typically at a social event.
  • Which restaurant will cater your event?

Synonyms

• Food service provider
• Event planner (when the service includes more than just food)
• Purveyor (a formal term for a supplier of food)

Related Phrases

• "to hire a caterer": The standard phrase for engaging a catering service.
  • You should hire a caterer at least three months before the event.
• "catering company": Another common way to refer to a business that does catering.
  • We are reviewing proposals from several catering companies.

Noun

1. someone who provides food and service (as for a party)