Start with the event schedule
Good catering planning begins with how the day will work. Decide when guests arrive, when food should be served and whether everyone will eat together. A welcome reception followed by dinner needs different timings from an informal lunch where guests come and go. For events in Puerto Banus, include the venue access and finish times in the brief from the outset.
Choose how the food will be served
- Seated service: useful when you want a defined mealtime and courses brought to the table. Allow for service space, staffing and the venue's kitchen facilities.
- A buffet or sharing service: consider where food will be presented, how guests will move around and whether dishes need to be kept hot or chilled.
- Canapés or small bites: decide whether food accompanies drinks or replaces a meal, and agree the service period.
- Live outdoor cooking: discuss BBQ, paella or hog roast options alongside the available cooking area and venue rules.
Check the venue before confirming the arrangements
For a villa or private home, establish what is available: work surfaces, refrigeration, water, power and somewhere for equipment to be unloaded. Explain any steps, narrow entrances, parking restrictions or distance between the cooking and dining areas. Outdoor events also need an agreed alternative if the weather makes the original setup unsuitable. Check any venue restrictions on fuel, noise, outside suppliers and clearing away.
Build one practical catering brief
- Date, venue address, access times and desired serving times.
- Adult and child numbers, plus any meals needed for event staff or suppliers.
- Preferred service style and an approximate budget for the catering.
- Allergies and dietary requirements to discuss before a proposal is agreed.
- Whether you need waiting staff, drinks service, crockery, glassware, linen or furniture.
For several meals or a longer villa stay, list each day's requirements. For a wedding, use the dedicated wedding catering page to consider the different stages of the reception.
Keep the booking details together
Before committing, agree the final guest-number deadline, payment dates, cancellation terms and who handles changes. Ask how extra service time or additional guests would be charged. Record the agreed arrangements in writing so the food, venue and event schedule follow the same plan.
Send your catering brief for Puerto Banus. If you already have proposals, the caterer comparison checklist will help you assess them. To explore individual offerings, browse the service directory.