Corporate catering booking tips: 10 points

Notice, headcount, dietary needs, allergies, quote, access, set-up, tableware, invoice and the contact on the day: the 10 points to settle before booking a corporate caterer.

To book a corporate caterer without forgetting anything, you need to settle ten points: notice, headcount, dietary needs, allergies, what the quote includes, access, set-up, tableware, invoicing and the contact on the day. At L'Écrin Traiteur, you order until 2 pm the day before, 48 hours before from 50 people, with a quote within 24 hours and delivery from 6:30 am at €29 excl. VAT in Paris. Here are the ten tips, in the order they come up.

The 10 tips in one table

Tip	What to do	When
1. Notice	Ask for the quote, book the service staff	As soon as the date is known; at the latest 2 pm the day before, 48 hours from 50 people
2. Headcount	Set the number and the 10% margin	2 days before
3. Dietary needs	List vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free	1 week before
4. Allergies	Report them in the person's name	When asking for the quote
5. The quote	Check what is included	On receipt, within 24 hours
6. Access	Address, floor, badge, time	When ordering
7. Set-up	Decide who lays out and who serves	When ordering
8. Tableware	Disposables supplied or hire	When asking for the quote
9. The invoice	Purchase order, entity invoiced	Before confirming
10. On the day	A reachable contact on site	The day before

1. Book at the right time

A breakfast, lunch trays or a delivered cocktail reception can be ordered until 2 pm the day before. From 50 people, allow 48 hours. With maîtres d'hôtel or hired tableware, ask for the quote as soon as the date is set: availability is confirmed in the quote. The detail by service is in how far in advance to order a caterer.

2. Set the headcount and the margin

Order on the confirmed headcount. Add 10% if the list is approximate or external guests are expected; no margin if the list is named. For lunch trays, it is one tray per person attending. The guidelines for each format are in how much food per person.

3. List the dietary needs

At L'Écrin Traiteur, all savoury food is halal and pork-free by default: cocktail receptions, lunch trays, lunch boxes. The menu is alcohol-free. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free are planned on request. Send a message to participants a week before and note the number of people per dietary need. See our halal catering.

4. Report allergies in the person's name

An allergy is handled for one person, not for a group. Give their name and the allergen when ordering: the tray or portion is prepared separately and labelled. Our kitchen handles flour: traces are possible, and we say so before confirming.

5. Check what the quote contains

A clear quote gives the price excl. VAT per person or per item, delivery on a separate line and what is supplied. At L'Écrin Traiteur, breakfast includes napkins, cups, sugar and stirrers; the lunch tray includes a starter, a main, a dessert, bread, cutlery and napkins. Drinks, service and tableware are options. The minimum order is €50 excl. VAT. The other questions to ask are in the questions to ask before signing a quote.

6. Give the address and access details

Give the full address, the floor, the door code or badge, the reception desk to go to and the exact time. Mention a loading bay or a goods lift. Delivery starts at 6:30 am, by the L'Écrin Traiteur team: €29 excl. VAT in Paris and nearby towns, on quote elsewhere.

7. Decide who sets up and who serves

The platters arrive arranged, ready to set down: for a breakfast or a meeting, nobody needs to serve. For a cocktail reception, a maître d'hôtel restocks the buffet and clears: €250 excl. VAT for 6 hours, set-up and clearing away included. The ratios are in how many maîtres d'hôtel to plan.

8. Settle the tableware question

The napkins, cups and cutlery needed are supplied with the food. For a reception with glasses, plates or high tables, hire goes through a partner, on quote: give the number of tables and guests. Quantities and observed prices are in hiring reception equipment.

9. Prepare the invoicing

Give the company name, the billing address and, if your purchasing department requires it, the purchase order number. L'Écrin Traiteur issues a company invoice showing VAT and accepts purchase orders. Prices are excl. VAT.

10. Name a contact for the day

Give the name and phone number of someone present at the delivery time, not only the organiser's. Keep the caterer's number: 01 74 54 23 10. A full list from D-7 to D+1 is in the office manager's checklist, and our selection criteria in choosing a corporate caterer in Paris.

Booking with L'Écrin Traiteur

Classic breakfast from €8 per person excl. VAT, lunch trays from €28.90 excl. VAT, cocktail receptions from €29.90 excl. VAT: all prices are on the prices page. Ask for a quote with the date, the address, the time and the headcount.

L'Écrin Traiteur prices, October 2026, in euros excluding VAT. Delivery €29 excl. VAT in Paris and nearby towns, other areas on quote. Minimum order €50 excl. VAT.

Frequently asked questions: booking corporate catering

How far in advance should you book corporate catering?

At L'Écrin Traiteur, until 2 pm the day before, and 48 hours before from 50 people. With maîtres d'hôtel or tableware hire, ask for the quote as soon as the date is known.

What margin should you allow on the headcount?

10% when the list is approximate or external guests are expected. No margin with a named list confirmed the day before.

What should a catering quote include?

The price excl. VAT per person or per item, delivery on a separate line (€29 excl. VAT in Paris at L'Écrin Traiteur), what is supplied (napkins, cups, cutlery), the options (drinks, service, tableware) and VAT.

Does the caterer handle dietary needs?

At L'Écrin Traiteur, the whole savoury menu is halal and pork-free and the menu is alcohol-free. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free are planned on request, in the person's name.

Does a caterer accept a purchase order?

Yes at L'Écrin Traiteur: purchase orders are accepted and the company invoice shows VAT. Give the purchase order number when you ask for the quote.

Who should you contact on the day of delivery?

Give the caterer the name and phone number of someone on site at the delivery time, and keep the caterer's number: 01 74 54 23 10 for L'Écrin Traiteur.