Whether you're having a lunch meeting, hosting a seminar or even throwing an office party, when you have a business in Hawaii, you're going to need the services of catering companies in HI. Some of these companies may serve all of the Hawaiian Islands, and some may only serve your part of Hawaii.

When looking for a company, you'll want to research different Hawaii catering companies for the types of food they offer, the services they provide and the locations they serve. Most importantly, you'll want to learn the pricing and costs of catering in Hawaii.

1. Find the pricing and costs of a catering service in Hawaii for your business meetings.

2. Find the pricing and costs of different caterers in Hawaii for your office party.

3. Find the pricing and costs of different Hawaiian restaurants that provide catering services.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research the pricing and costs of food caterers in Hawaii for business meetings

When you are researching different catering companies in Hawaii to use for your business meetings and lunches, you'll want to determine what they charge for their services. By researching several luncheon catering companies located throughout Hawaii, you can organize your list and selections, search for the type of caterer you specifically want and find the exact location of the caterers you're looking at.

I recommend: Superb Sushi offers sushi and tempura bars from $10-$12 per person. Box Lunch Hawaii offers several boxed lunches you can choose from for as little as $6 each.

Research the pricing and costs of hiring food catering in Hawaii for office parties

Different Hawaii caterers will charge different prices for events that they are hired to cater. Before hiring a catering company for your office party, you'll want to check and compare the services of several caterers in your area of Hawaii, or catering companies that serve several of the Hawaiian Islands, and find out which caterers can provide you the services you're looking for at the best price.

I recommend: Marians Catering offers several menus to choose from, starting at $8.95 per person. Dani's Catering offers several menus you can choose from, starting at $9.95 per person.

Research the pricing and costs of different restaurants offering catering services in Hawaii

If a large catering company is not the type of venue you're looking for to cater your office meeting or party, research the prices of different Hawaiian restaurants that offer catering services. By using these restaurants' catering services, you can choose a more relaxed, intimate menu to serve your employees, clients and party attendants.

I recommend: Hapa Grill offers three different catering menus you can choose from, starting at $7.50 per person. Wally Ho's Garage and Grill offers a catering menu, with prices ranging from $32-$130.

Catering in Hawaii offers the right person the chance to work in a creative environment as their own boss. The ideal caterer not only enjoys cooking, but also working with people. You should be highly detail oriented, flexible, reliable and organized. Above all, you should not be afraid of hard work.

Catering services in Hawaii cover a wide array of events, from business luncheons to elegant weddings. Corporate catering is another avenue for possible catering business. Employee picnics, fundraisers and meetings are all potential catering gigs. And of course tourism thrives in Hawaii, offering even more catering potential.

To start your own catering businesses in Hawaii, you need to:

1. Secure financing. Know how to get that initial start-up loan for your catering company.

2. Buy necessary equipment. You may not need a fully outfitted commercial kitchen just yet. But there are certain pieces of equipment that are a must for any catering company.

3. Build name recognition. You need to make a name for yourself among catering companies in Hawaii.

Action Steps
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Develop a business plan and apply for financing to expand your catering service in Hawaii

The advantages of a home-based catering business is the low start-up investment. However, expanding a catering business takes money. In order to grow as a business and take on larger clients, you may need a commercial size oven, more cooler space or even a whole new commercial kitchen. Reliable transportation is also another big concern for catering companies looking to grow. A business loan is the fastest route to purchase the items your catering business in Hawaii needs to grow.

I recommend: The counselors through the Hawaii Small Business Development Center can walk you through the steps of drafting a business plan and help connect you with a lender. The Hawaii Small Business Administration is another place that can help you with the initial start up or expansion of your catering business, offering advice and counseling from other small business professionals.

Get the equipment you need for your food catering company in Hawaii

Catering companies in HI require all sorts of equipment, from serving platters and utensils to commercial ovens and coolers. As you catering operation grows, you may want or need to add linens, tables and chairs, and China to your inventory.

I recommend: Bargreen Ellingson is a full service restaurant and catering supplier with locations throughout Hawaii. The National Restaurant Association also offers a list of approved vendors in Hawaii and the rest of the united states.

Make your catering business stand out from the competition

As a new Hawaii catering company, it is very important to understand the local competition. You will be competing with established caterers that have name recognition as well as a strong customer base. When you sit down to draft your catering menu, first decide what will set you apart from your competitors. Why will people choose you over them?

I recommend: Find a list of food caterers in Hawaii in your area at the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) website, which has chapters in Hawaii. The Hawaii Chamber of Commerce is another place to find a statewide list of caterers. Once you have gathered contact information for your competition, visit their websites to look at menus and prices. If you aren't able to locate a caterer's website, call them directly and ask for information. Also try to see their work up close and personal, such as at a public event. Then you can see and taste their food and see how it rates with your own.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Hawaii catering companies benefit greatly from word-of-mouth advertising. Always pass out your business cards and menus at functions, to guests if they ask, as well as other vendors, such as DJs and photographers.

You only have one chance to make the best first impression, so finding the best in Hawaii catering will help you conquer one portion of your next big event. The perfect food has to fit the theme of the event, it has to taste right, it has to be the right temperature, it has to be the right consistency and it has to look appealing. Is your caterer up to the task?

Catering companies in Hawaii can give you a wide variety of food menus from traditional Hawaiian fare, to American fare, to Asian fare and more. What you choose will depend on the type of event you are having as well as your budget. Look for a food catering company in Hawaii that will sit down with you and discuss your exact needs and time line, who will then iron out a timeline and a budget for what you are trying to accomplish.

To find out more about catering in Hawaii types and styles:

1. Check out luau menus when checking out food catering in Hawaii.

2. Take a look at special events by catering companies in HI.

3. Consider food caterers in Hawaii who think outside of the box.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out catering companies in Hawaii that can give you luau menus

Find Hawaii catering companies to stun out of town business guests with a delectable luau feast. You can easily and cost effectively decorate for the occasion, too.

I recommend: Take a look at the luau menu from Golden Harvest Catering. Enjoy traditional favorites such as Kailau pig, Teriyaki baked chicken and poached salmon. Hawaiian dinner rolls and tropical fresh fruit round out the selection, and additional items such as dessert and lemonades make for a fine feast. Paradise Gourmet Catering offers the traditional luau menu as a part of their Hawaiiana Dinner Buffet fare. They also have a wide selection of other succulent island options.

Look for Hawaii catering companies that specialize in special events catering

Hire a special event Hawaii catering company for your next large corporate event. Whether you are feeding 100 people or 1,000, the food has to be perfect, and you have to leave your guests with the perfect first impression of your event and your company image.

I recommend: Check out the wedding and special events catering services of Carval Catering. They offer breakfast, lunch/corporate menus, cocktail style hors d'oeuvres, as well as dinner/special occasion. Consider the wedding and special events catering services of Longhi’s Catering. They also have services available for film production crews in Hawaii. They can provide daily meals on-site for your cast and crew if you are working on your next movie or television production.

Seek out catering companies in Hawaii that go outside of the norm

Check out catering in Hawaii that specialize in things outside the normal scope of just preparing traditional fare. Think about things that could really wow your clients.

I recommend: Consider the Asian flavor buffet from Catered Moments. They also offer a Pacific Rim menu, a local flavor menu, a plated menu as well as an a la carte menu. Take a look at the boat catering services of Maui Executive Catering. They can help you cater your next private charter, cocktail cruise, snorkeling trip or full dinner business cruise function.

Catering in Hawaii will bring a business into contact with a fusion of flavors from around the world. Food in Hawaii can surprise you. Taro root, yams, pig, fish (especially tuna), and spices such as soy sauce are used in many Hawaiian menus. The influence is distinctly Asian but you can taste the blend of distinctive flavors from other cultures too.

Action Steps
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Poke

Poke is a traditional Hawaiian fare that is made of marinated raw fish, greens and nuts. There are many variations on this basic recipe.

I recommend: Taniokas caters different poke recipes.

Kailau pig

A traditional part of a luau, a Kailau pig is cooked in an underground oven (imu) on top of banana leaves with salt and spices. It is covered and left to cook all day. The US doesn't allow Kailau pig to be sold commercially.

I recommend: Catering Chic uses a whole Kailau pig in its luau menu.

Plate lunch

The plate lunch is the Hawaiian blue plate special. It is made up of a fish or other protein, rice and macaroni salad.

I recommend: Keneke's makes plate lunches to take out.

Haupia

Haupia is a traditional luau dessert made of coconut and sugar.

I recommend: Around Hawaii provides more information about haupia.

Pupu

Pupus are Hawaiian appetizers that are served hot and cold.

I recommend: Maui Catering's pupu menu contains both traditional and non-traditional pupu foods.

Lau 'ai 'ia

Lau 'ai 'ia is the Hawaiian term for salad.

I recommend: Gayot provides a useful glossary for Hawaiian food names. You will find Lau ‘ai ‘ia and many more helpful translations.