Caterer, maîtres d'hôtel, tableware, flowers: should you use a single supplier for your corporate event?
Using a single supplier for the food, service, tableware and flowers, or booking each one separately: advantages, limits and what L'Écrin Traiteur offers.
For an executive breakfast, a cocktail reception or a seminar, you often need four things: the food, the service, the tableware and the decoration. You can book them separately or hand everything to a single supplier. Here is how to choose.
One supplier or several: the comparison
| Criterion | One supplier | Several suppliers |
|---|---|---|
| Quote | Just one, all-inclusive | Three or four to compare and approve |
| Quantities | Matched together: as many cups as guests | For you to cross-check |
| Delivery | Coordinated, at the same time | Several time slots to manage |
| On the day | One contact | One per supplier |
| Equipment collection | Organised by the caterer | To organise with each hire company |
| Price | Sometimes slightly higher | Sometimes lower, in exchange for more time spent |
When to hand everything to a single supplier
- When the event is early in the morning: there is no time to receive four deliveries.
- When you are organising alone, on top of your job.
- When the venue is demanding: reception room, upper floor with no goods lift, strict access hours.
When to book separately
- When you already have a regular florist or hire company.
- For a very large event with an agency that already coordinates the suppliers.
What L'Écrin Traiteur brings together on one quote
| Item | Who | Price excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast, trays, cocktail reception | L'Écrin Traiteur | see our prices |
| Maîtres d'hôtel | Selected and trained by our house | €250 for 6 hours |
| Tableware, glassware, table linen | Options, a leading name in tableware hire | on quote |
| Furniture | Partner hire company | on quote |
| Flowers | Partner florist | on quote |
| Delivery | Our team, from 6:30 am | €29 in Paris and nearby towns |
The photo in this article shows a breakfast served on porcelain in a Parisian reception room, with one of our maîtres d'hôtel. For yours, describe your event: number of guests, venue, time, and what you would like to entrust to us.
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to use a single supplier for a corporate event?
A single supplier simplifies everything: one quote, one coordinated delivery, one contact. Booking separately can cost less but means coordinating times and quantities.
Can L'Écrin Traiteur provide the service, tableware and flowers?
Yes: our maîtres d'hôtel, tableware hired from Options, furniture from a partner hire company and flowers from a partner florist, on the same quote as the food.
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