Catering for an office of forty? Read this first
A short checklist for office managers planning their first dessert order — distilled from a few hundred catering deliveries.
Office catering looks deceptively simple. Order forty cupcakes, set them out at 3pm, walk away. In practice, the small details are what people remember — and what they complain about. Here is a short list of the choices we wish more first-time orderers knew about.
1. Order 15% more than your headcount
For a team of forty, order forty-eight. People take seconds. Latecomers feel left out when there is one sad lemon slice left under a napkin. The cost difference is small; the social difference is large.
2. Three flavours is the sweet spot
One flavour feels stingy. Five flavours becomes an act of indecision at the table. Three — usually one classic, one fruit-led, one chocolate — keeps things moving and means everyone finds something they want.
3. Mark the dietary options clearly
We will always bake gluten-free and vegan options if requested. The mistake is placing them on the platter without labels. People with allergies do not want to interrogate every brownie. We provide small cards on request — say yes to them.
4. Time the delivery to the moment, not the meeting
If the celebration is at 3pm, ask for a 2:45pm delivery. Cupcakes that sit out for an hour lose their freshness and the buttercream softens. We coordinate with reception so the cardboard never reaches the table.
5. Keep the table calm
Resist the urge to add streamers. A clean platter, a small linen napkin, and a single sprig of greenery beats balloons and confetti. The dessert is the design.
6. Send a photo back
This one is for the team you order from — not for you. A photo of the platter on the boardroom table means we know what worked and what to refine. We notice. It matters.
A simple checklist to copy
- Headcount confirmed (+15%)
- Three flavours selected
- Dietary requirements logged
- Delivery time set 15 minutes ahead of the moment
- Reception briefed on where it should land
- Allergy cards on the platter
If you would like help thinking through your first order, send us a short note — we will reply with a recommended mix for your headcount.