Caterers

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Weighed with concerns about the economy, companiee are spending less on the holiday party this A surveyby , an online payroll shows that more than 40 percent are eithedr canceling their holiday party or tonin it down. Caterers in Greater Baltimorre are reacting tothe trend. Some are investinyg more in marketing or going downscale to appealto budget-consciouz companies. Jerry Edwards, owner of Chef’zs Expressions in Timonium, has increased his company’s marketing budge by 30 percent, to $150,00p this year. In hopes of winning more business, he’ll increasd his marketing budget by another 30 percennext year, to $180,000.
He also hiredc two new salespeople, for a totall of five. Edwards creditsx more aggressive marketing to landinga 400-person retirement part for Johns Hopkins Universitgy President Dr. William Brody. “I know the pie is but we can grab moreof it,” Edwarda said. Companies are looking for lightermenu less-expensive cuts of meats, and typically among the cheapest food said Lou Santoni, co-owner of in La Fontaine Bleu Catering in Glen Burnie is spending nearly $3 million to upgrade its facilitty by next spring with the goal of openin a bakery, deli and barbecue operation, Ownerd Thomas Stuehler said.
A less expensive alternativw than, say, filet mignon, sandwiches and pulled pork will hopefully appeapto budget-minded executives, Stuehler said. “You just have to reinvenr yourself,” he said.