Friday, May 10, 2013

Healthier Catering Options


Singaporeans are becoming more health-conscious and looking for healthier dining options.

The Health Promotion Board, in partnership with a growing pool of caterers, are  now offering healthier catering menus that are as tasty as they are healthy.

When ordering from Healthier Catering partners, simply look out for the red healthier choice logo. At least half of the dishes on these menus are prepared using reduced amounts of  oil or fat, salt, sauces, sugar and syrup. Instead, flavour is enhanced by using more fruit and vegetables, as well as herbs and spices.

There are currently more than 30 caterers under the Healthier Catering Programme who offer various cuisines that include Indonesian, Malay, Peranakan, Chinese and Western fare. Click here for Healthier Choice menus

Types of Catering Services


The world of buffet catering is one of unlimited possibilities - from lavish themed events to simple family affairs, if you can dream it, you can cater for it.

So what are your options when looking to cater for an event?

Standard Buffets

This is the most common type of catered buffet. At these buffets, food is laid out in an open buffet line and guests help themselves to the food.

To spice up your spread, you may consider throwing in a couple of live stations. Not only do these stations add a festive mood to your party, it is a sure-fire way of pleasing your guests. Popular stations include carveries, pastas, pizza and those that serve a variety of ethnic fare. Ice cream carts and artisan beverage and dessert stands are also fast gaining popularity.  Here's a list of affordable buffet catering options.

High Tea Buffets

These are usually light meals that include an assortment of finger foods. Often priced lower than a full buffet, high tea buffets are great for events that take place in between meals. Most menus would include assorted sandwiches, pastries, dim sum, and dessert. Go to high tea menus now.

Mini Buffets

Most caterers impose a minimum order of between 20 - 30 persons for buffets. So if you have a smaller party of say, 10 friends, then mini buffets or drop-off catering is the way to go. Unlike regular buffets, food is served in disposable aluminum trays and do not come with food warmers. Very often, buffet set-up is also not included. Check out the mini buffet menus here.

Cocktail Reception and Butler Service

These services are ideal for corporate events and wedding receptions where elegance and style is the order of the day. In butler service, guests are served by roving wait staff with platters of food and drinks. The menu is usually light, with items like canapés and finger foods.

Sit-down Dining

Also known as course dinners, guests are seated and the meal is served course by course, much like how it is done at restaurants. This serving style is often reserved for more formal events such as wedding dinners and corporate or diplomatic functions. At sit-down dining events, chefs will prepare the dishes on-site in specially fitted mobile kitchens. Click here for a list of caterers that offer sit-down dining.

What Is Time-Stamping For Catered Meals


From 2012, all NEA-licensed caterers are required to time-stamp all buffet meals and packed meals.

Time-stamping informs consumers of the recommended time limit for the consumption of cooked food that are kept at temperatures between 5°C and 60°C.

When catering, do display the time-stamp notice prominently at buffet tables. If you are ordering packed meals, the individual meal packets or containers should have the time stamp label pasted on them.

Time-stamp information include the "Ready-to-eat" date & time as well as the "consume by" time. Do avoid packing left-over catered food or consuming them if they are past their time limit.

You should also cater only from licensed food caterers approved by NEA.