How to handle 20 parties a day

MANILA. Philippines -Call it a feeding frenzy. It is definitely the season for get-togethers involving food. But as the holiday excitement approaches fever pitch and get-togethershappen more often, hosting a party may result in hot tempers and frayed nerves. Fortunately, help can be had from reputable caterers who ease a considerable load from those who want to serve a feast.

“The holidays are really a busy time for us,” confirms Jet D. Versoza, president and CEO of Josiah’s Catering Inc. “But what compounds it is that Filipinos choose this time to be married, too.” In previous years, his company has simultaneously catered up to 20 big parties and weddings in a single day. ”But since many of our clients have supported us and continue to closely work with us throughout the years, we always strive to do better so that they can dine in style.”

Josiah’s Catering is a family corporation with the eldest son being designated as head chef. “It is always a challenge to create a menu where the different courses will complement each other,” says chef Jasper Versoza. “The components of a meal should never overpower each other.” Of course, a premium is also placed on the appearance of food and the chef strives for a look that gets better each time.

“We strive for artistic presentations review and revise the set up to maximize efficiency, and work towards flawless execution each time,” agrees Jet Versoza. He continues, “I would say that we have come a long way since we started the business.” From a mom and pop part-time operation with two helpers in 1990, the company became a full-time business in 1993 to the catering outfit that can serve up to 10,000 diners today. Apart from the usual parties and weddings, Josiah’s Catering has corporate clients. “We’d like to be known as a trend-setter,” Jet says. “Our strength is partly because we invest in top-of-the-line equipment.” He regularly attends conferences abroad to keep up with food trends; and the minutest details like quality of tableware and linen are scrutinized so that they are up to par with the best in the catering industry. “There is constant innovation so that even if others copy us, we will still be ahead.” Not surprisingly, Josiah’s Catering is affiliated with many first-class venues in Metro Manila.

What is Jet Versoza’s advice for those who want to get into the business of catering? “Foremost, you should know how to cook. Otherwise you are at the mercy of your cook. Next you should remember that the biggest challenge in any business is how to best handle your people. Always try to put yourself in their shoes, allow them to make mistakes once in a while (without making the same errors over and over again); advise employees about their finances so their lives can also improve as the business gets bigger. Share what you know. And most important, do your best to meet, if not exceed the expectations of your clients.” He admits that catering can be a difficult and time-consuming business. But with the proper attitude, there is always room for success. Appropriately for the Christmas season, Jet Versoza says, “We are a Christian family and believe that God will always provide.”

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Call Josiah’s Catering Inc. at 948 1260, log on to www.josiahcatering.com., or e-mail jdv@josiahcatering.com.