Catering

Why community matters in catering

Community is crucial for meaningful progress, especially in the catering industry where challenges are unique and a universal playbook is absent. CaterLinked offers a vital space for catering professionals to connect, share knowledge and find support, transforming an often-isolated discipline into a collaborative one.

July 14, 2025 by Terry Matthews — Managing Partner, Off Premises Growth Academy

Lately, I've been reflecting on what it really takes for people to do something meaningful, not just as individuals, but together. Whether it's building something new, weathering a challenge, or refining a craft, real progress rarely happens in isolation. At some point, we all rely on each other. We learn faster when we learn together. We find clarity when someone else has been there before. We grow when we feel understood.
That's the power of community.

In catering, a field grounded in relationships, coordination, and showing up for others, community feels especially essential. And yet, for a long time, it has been noticeably absent from the catering side of the restaurant world. Many operators have had to navigate complex systems, fast-moving logistics and high expectations without a steady place to turn for help.

Catering comes with challenges

Catering isn't just a branch of restaurant operations. It's a discipline all its own. The pace is different. The planning is different. The risks, rewards, and rhythms are different.
From quoting and staffing to packaging, delivery, and post-event recovery, catering professionals juggle a unique set of demands. And often, they do it without a blueprint.

There's no universal playbook. No clear ladder to climb. Just a lot of people doing their best, learning as they go.
Compared to the robust training and mentorship that exists for front-of-house or kitchen teams, catering has often been the quiet cousin. It's important, but underserved.

Something real is taking shape

That's why I'm so excited about what I'm seeing inside the CaterLinked community. It's not flashy. It's not built on algorithms.

It's not about the platform. It's the people who bring it to life. Their generosity. Their honesty. Their willingness to speak up or quietly support someone else. That's what community looks like.

Operators, catering leads, sales managers, and multi-unit directors are coming together not to compete, but to connect. They're sharing what's worked, what hasn't, and how they're adapting. There's wisdom in the stories. Comfort in the shared struggles. And momentum in the sense that no one has to go it alone.

Whether those conversations happen on CaterLinked, in a peer group, or over coffee with someone who gets it, they are worth having. Especially now, when everything feels faster and more fragmented, making time for real connection can be one of the most powerful things we do.

How do you connect?

Everyone has their own way of plugging into a community. Some people like roundtable discussions. Others prefer private messages, group chats, or reading quietly on the sidelines.

There's no one way to show up. But it helps to ask yourself:

• Who do I turn to when I hit a roadblock?
• Where do I go when I need a fresh idea?
• When was the last time I shared something that worked?
• Where do I find support when things feel overwhelming?

If those answers feel unclear, that's okay. But it might be a sign that it's time to reach out. Even a small conversation can shift your perspective. And sometimes, that's all it takes.

We're better when we learn together

The best ideas in catering don't come from a handbook. They come from the field. From people who are experimenting, refining, and doing the hard work every day.
When those lessons are shared, everyone benefits. There's also comfort in simply knowing you're not alone. Whatever challenge you're facing, someone else likely understands it, or has already worked through it. That shared understanding makes all of us stronger.

Support builds culture and confidence

When people feel supported, they show up differently. They lead with more confidence. They communicate more clearly. They recover faster and stay engaged longer. That kind of culture doesn't just feel good. It drives real results.

In catering, where much of the guest experience happens off-site, internal alignment and shared knowledge can be the difference between stress and smooth execution. When teams are supported, everyone performs better. And when operators share those wins, the entire industry benefits.

It's not about a platform — it's about people

Whether it's CaterLinked, a local networking group, or a message thread with your team, the key is to stay connected. Ask questions. Offer encouragement. Celebrate wins. Invite collaboration.

This industry is full of smart, resourceful people. What's been missing at times is a consistent way to bring them together.

That's starting to change.

An Invitation to Keep the Conversation Going

If you're working in catering or growing an off-premises program, I hope you'll keep the conversation going. Share something that's helped your team. Ask someone how they train their staff. Reflect on a recent win — or a challenge you're still working through.

Catering can be complicated. But it doesn't have to be isolating. The more we connect, the more we all grow.
So here's to finding your people. However that looks for you. And here's to building something better, together.

About Terry Matthews

---

Erle Dardick is an entrepreneur, author, and off-premises thought leader in the global foodservice industry. His mission is to help operators create successful off-premises revenue channels. He turned a small Vancouver deli into a flourishing operation and developed MONKEY, the leading cloud platform for takeout, delivery, and catering. He founded The Catering Institute, MonkeyMedia Software, and Off Premises Insights. Now, he leads The Off Premises Growth Academy, advocating for the industry and providing training. Erle holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University and lives in Vancouver, BC.

Connect with Terry: