Catering is a competitive industry that's always evolving and adapting to changing tastes, technologies, and customer demands. In New Zealand, the catering scene is no different, with new trends emerging every year that shape the way people dine and celebrate special events. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the latest trends in New Zealand's catering industry and how you can stay ahead of the game in 2023.
Personalized catering services are becoming increasingly popular among New Zealanders who want a unique and customized dining experience. This trend is driven by a desire for one-of-a-kind events and the growing popularity of social media, where customers can share their experiences and inspire others. To keep up with this trend, catering companies in New Zealand are now offering bespoke menus, customized table settings, and unique presentation styles that reflect each customer's personal tastes and preferences.
Sustainability and eco-friendliness are becoming more important in the catering industry, as consumers seek out products and services that have a minimal impact on the environment. In New Zealand, this trend is reflected in the growing demand for locally-sourced and organic ingredients, as well as the use of biodegradable and compostable packaging and tableware. Catering companies are also taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint by using energy-efficient equipment and reducing waste through composting and recycling programs.
The trend towards plant-based diets is growing in New Zealand, as consumers seek out healthier and more ethical food options. This trend is reflected in the increasing popularity of plant-based menus, which feature a range of dishes made from fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Catering companies in New Zealand are now offering a variety of delicious and innovative plant-based dishes, from vegan burgers to roasted vegetable platters, to meet the demand for this growing segment of the market.
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the catering industry, as companies look for ways to streamline their operations and provide a better customer experience. In New Zealand, this trend is reflected in the growing use of online ordering systems, digital payment methods, and mobile catering apps that allow customers to place orders and manage their events with ease. Catering companies are also using technology to improve their marketing and advertising efforts, through the use of social media and targeted digital advertising campaigns.
The future of catering in New Zealand is bright, with new trends and technologies emerging every year that shape the way people dine and celebrate special events. To stay ahead of the game in 2023 and beyond, it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the industry, and to be willing to embrace new technologies and ideas that can help your business grow and succeed. Whether you're a seasoned catering professional or just starting out in the industry, the future is yours for the taking, and with hard work and dedication, you can be a leader in the catering scene in New Zealand for years to come.
When we ask ourselves what makes a good caterer, these are the things that NOSH focuses on.
NOSH is delighted to have entered into an agreement with PREFAB Hall to be the exclusive supplier of catering and beverage services at this amazing Wellington venue. If you're interested in booking the venue for a wedding, private party, corporate event or conference, please get in contact with us.
For those didn't realise Prefab Hall is located directly behind PREFAB cafe on Jessie Street in Te Aro. The venue can cater for 120 guests seated or 250 guests cocktail style.
Not all Grazing Tables are created equal. At NOSH we pride ourselves on the quality of our feasting tables. Smoked salmon and ham of the bone, prepared fresh by Chefs - House made spreads and dips - not purchased from the local supermarket. If you decide on an alternative supplier, we suggest you ask them what you will be getting and where they are sourcing their dips and spreads.
Our grazing tables are presented on a beautiful custom made ply-wood trestle table.
We offer 2 sizes - one for 50 gueats, and one for 100 guests.
We’re fortunate to work alongside many great wedding vendors, including Tim and Nadine. They are amazing photographers and certainly worth checking out if you’re on the hunt for a wedding photographer. Heres a link to their website
Family style is a term we use at NOSH to describe a type of buffet catering. Essentially, food is served to your guests “family style” - bowls and platters of delicious food is served to the table and your guests then help themselves. Here’s some photos to help visualise it.
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We stumbled across this exciting new vendor, Daisy Days, and thought that some of our customers would be interested. What a fun idea for a wedding or a corporate event. Her website is here
The Milk Station is an absolutely gorgeous event and wedding venue with accommodation on the Kapiti Coast. The venue space includes a main reception area for 200 people plus 4 acres of gardens and to finish it off includes a 5 star accommodation! The building was originally built in 1919 but restored into a stunning, rustic venue space. The history of the building shines through in the carefully chosen decorations and the new home touches that have been added.
They offer a range of different packages for weddings and events. They will work with you and help you decide which is best for you. You can hire the venue for different amounts of time - I definitely recommend splashing out and staying over in their designer bedrooms! The best bit (from a caterers view) is the fully equipped and working commercial kitchen!! This might not excite you the same way it does us, but it brings down the amount of money you have to spend on hire equipment. Norbert is always there to help caterers, guests and any other vendors along with his beautiful, most well trained dog, Bella.
If you visit the Milk Stations website you can see some more gorgeous images and get in touch with them via their contact page. https://themilkstation.co.nz
Anam Cara Gardens is highly recommended if you appreciate being outdoors. As hinted in the name, they have some of the most gorgeous gardens behind their venue space that they really do make the most of! The 10 acres of land is sure to wow your guests. It includes 4 beautiful outdoor ceremony locations and lots of picturesque places for marquees, outdoor seating, giant outdoor lawn games and much more. They have so many different spaces it’s like you can create your own, unique and special event or wedding.
The onsite accommodation offers 4 bedrooms all with ensuites plus an additional annexed apartment offering 2 more bedrooms and ensuites. The kitchen space is ideal for hosting with the island bench and included appliances. They also offer a Bridal Suite and Grooms Quarters to keep the 2 lovebirds separate before walking down the aisle!
The indoor venue space boasts a modern dancefloor area with a botanical backdrop and fairy light curtains. They have the room for 120 guests inside the event space with an option for a marquee just outside for any added guests. The kitchen is great for caterers to use with the bar built in with fridges ready to go this makes it super easy and keeps hire equipment costs low. Teresa and Tim really go out of their way to help everyone there and make sure that your experience is wonderful. Take a visit to their website to see more photographs and for contact information. https://www.anamcaragardens.co.nz
The venue hall is attached to the popular Prefab Eatery. It is in an ideal location for inner city weddings and events. The venue can seat up to 120 guests for a formal seated dinner, 200 guests theater style and 250 guests if you are looking for more of a cocktail event. It creates a great flow of indoor to outdoor with its contemporary outdoor patio space with built in seating. Either with a marquee to shelter from the rain or without to have access to sit in the sun, it is bound to look great!
They have a built in bar which adds to the cool vibes that the venue gives off. It really is a great space to decorate as it looks awesome left simple or you can fill it full of flowers and lights and really add to the feeling that the hall gives off. They offer some basic hire equipment for added costs and will have the hall ready and set up for you. The working commercial kitchen is always ready for caterers to walk straight in and start working!
Mark is always their and working hard to make sure everyone is getting what they need. If you visit their website you can find out more about pricing and what they have to offer. https://www.prefabhall.co.nz/our-space
The Boatshed’s main selling point is its gorgeous views of the waterfront. The venue space is available for all types of functions from conferences, cocktail events, to weddings. It has a maximum capacity of 200 guests seated or 300 guests for a cocktail function. It features a main function room connected to a bar area which has the possibility of being separated with dividing doors.
It boasts large windows that let in lots of natural daylight, then pretty fairy lights fill the room for the evening. A great thing about this event is the location and having many hotels and accommodation within walking distance. Outside the venue it has a deck area that is just perfect for ceremonies with a gorgeous waterfront view.
Louise will always be there to let you in and help you out with whatever you need. She will then leave you to your own devices, but offers the venue until 10am the following day of your event so you can come back and collect any belongings. Their website has a lot more information on packages, pricing and contact information. http://www.theboatshedvenue.co.nz
Situated in The Public Trust Building the space has been transformed into a fresh, modern yet historic building. The Main Hall is the main event room (clues in the name). It boasts gorgeously high ceilings and is a great piece of architecture. It has a maximum capacity of 300 people cocktail style, 220 people banquet style and 160 people classroom style. Within the new venue space they also have the 1908 Room. This is for the smaller events, maybe private meetings. It can also be used as storage space or extra space for the Main Hall. The 1908 Room is equipped with its own kitchen if guests prefer to cater for themselves. It has a maximum capacity of 50 people cocktail style, 32 people banquet style and 40 people classroom style. Although a smaller room it is still brand new and lovely.
It is an elegant, modern and central venue that is sure to leave your guests impressed! The building’s architecture is definitely what steals the show with added character by the new decorations and renovations. They have a fantastic brand new kitchen which makes it easy for any che. They also provide basc hire equipment like tables and chairs, but I would highly recommend choosing some rustic tables that need no cloth to finish off the look!
Kristelle and her adorable dog are always there to help and organise. If you visit their website you can find out the easiest way to get in touch with her. https://publictrusthall.co.nz/gallery/
The Begonia House is located next to the colourful Lady Norwood Rose Garden so is already set to have a gorgeous view. The venue is suitable for weddings, corporate events and formal dinners. It definitely is a cool and different venue to have your event. It seats up to 90 people and 120 people standing. The venue is a clear open space so you can really go wild with your imagination for some great set ups!
The best thing about this venue is that the decorating is already done! There are the most gorgeous flowers and plants that fill the space you don’t have to do anything. If you wanted to keep it simple you can use our trestle tables and oatmeal tablecloths, with our simple white chairs and gorgeous white bar and that would be all that is needed! With this venue you would need to source your own hire equipment along with kitchen equipment for your caterers to use as their is only a small kitchen space available. Although this may be an added cost it does mean you can choose completely your own set up!
As the venue is open to the public there are certain times you are allowed to hire the space. Take a look on their website for more information. https://wellington.govt.nz/services/community-and-culture/council-venues- for-hire/weddings-and-functions/begonia-house-foyer
It really is the million dollar question. How much is an appropriate amount to spend on your big day? A lot of people aren’t aware of the expenses involved in the planning and execution of the day.
The first expense you should to consider is the venue charge. You need to find the perfect venue and then everything else will start falling into place. Just by doing a quick research at some of our Wellington’s popular wedding venues you will see that for their basic packages you’re looking at around $2000. This doesn’t include any accommodation or basic hire equipment. This can all be added on for extra charges. Depending on what package the venues offer and what kind of thing you were looking for, you can end up spending up to $6000 on the venue. This is a lot of money to spend, however, for some of these packages it is so worth it! They offer everything from accommodation for the weekend, to bits of hire equipment, to cleaning services. It makes it so easy and means that you can sit back, relax and enjoy yourself! We would definitely recommend going in and speaking with all the venues you are interested in and seeing what they offer and select the package that best suits your needs for the weekend.
The next expense to think about and, in my opinion, THE most important thing of the day, is your menu! You will already have an idea of what kind of food and service you are looking for, but you might not know the pricing differences between them. Here are some examples; starting with the most popular option. Start with platters to begin with (that are both delicious and a cheaper option than canapes), then move on to mains served buffet style (2 mains and 3 sides), finishing your gorgeous meal off with some dessert canapes - this will cost approx $50 per head. Moving on to a more expensive example; Start your meal with a selection of beautiful canapes, followed by a formal plated meal and plated dessert. This a lot more of a formal option and it requires more chefs and waitresses to make sure everything is smooth sailing so that is an added cost also. For the menu alone for this style of service would cost approximately $61 per guest (depending on the menu that you chose). There are a lot of factors that can change the costs of your menu, service and catering in general.
The final big expense is all the equipment needed (hire equipment). There is a lot of equipment that you don’t think about until you get a quote through. The best thing about NOSH catering is we take care of all of that for you. We have a beautiful showroom set up with all of our hire equipment that you can come in and see (this is also a massive help if you are torn between different set ups!). Hire equipment costs vary depending on the amount you need, where you need it delivered and, obviously, what you are looking for. If you are looking for the basic: crockery, cutlery, glassware, tea cups, ovens, rubbish disposal this is expected to be between $15 and $30 per person, plus GST. This would create a basic set up and the basic necessities of the kitchen also. If you wanted to go a bit more decorative and wanted some of our beautiful tables and chairs, premium linen, fancier glassware and other things like that you are looking between $20 and $40 per person, plus GST. Different venues require different hire equipment also so this is a factor that needs to be considered.
Hopefully that helps a little with your budgeting. Prices effective from Jan 2020.
Are you looking for something special for your bar - we have access to a beautiful bar made from a pressed tin and matching bar leaners. The bar leaners are two sizes; 60cm x 60cm and 120cm x 60cm. Wellington Event Hire
